Band vs DJ

[chessa]

We're having a band. As we're having a smallish wedding, we've booked a two piece, hisband and wife duo who will sing jazz and Italian (in laws are Italian). Perfect. I think it really depends on what u want from your reception. Do you want a big party? Do you want intimacy?

Chessa xx

[blossy]

Originally Posted by Mezza1683

Leah i am having my wedding in Canberra and my dad has booked a lady called Diane Mason. She is in the military and she does gigs on the wknds and for wedding etc. My parents saw her at a wedding a while ago and really enjoyed their music. I think we got her for $900 for the night for 3 members?? If you like PM me and i will see where i can find her mobile number

I've got one caution here - be prepared for using a potential back up (DJ or other band...)

Only reason I say this is because I hired the most brilliant photographer who is a military lady, only to have to start from scratch because she got posted out of Canberra and couldn't do my wedding anymore!

[wifey to be]

We've chosen a live band. I just think it adds more of a personal touch and energy to the reception. They're called Jazz Fever and did an amazing job at my sister's wedding. The dance floor was packed and people still mention how fun a night it was. They are pretty reasonably priced - $100 per hour, per musician. We've booked a trio to play smooth background jazz for 2 hours over cocktails & dinner for $600.

*link removed*

[Sas]

We are having a DJ, I dont like a band because i dont feel you get what you pay for - you pay top dollar and they are always having breaks and playing for very short times. Whereas a DJ goes all night long!

[DJPlus]

Each has its Pros and Cons - there is no right or wrong answer, it all comes down to personal choice. To help new brides decide which form of entertainment is best for them, I am re-posting a link to the BTB article I wrote;

http://www.beyondthebride.com.au/rec...r-wedding.html

[wifey to be]

I agree with Sas, you do get what you pay for. A 3-piece band generally costs as much as a DJ, and you get 3 professional musicians versus 1 guy who does it to earn some extra cash on the weekends. IMHO a live band adds that 'wow' factor and personalized touch to a wedding. But it depends on how important music is to your reception I suppose.

I don't agree that bands play for 'very short times'. Most bands take a 10 minute break every hour or two, and its usually coordinated around speeches/reception schedule. Moreover most live bands have a CD to play during this time. A DJ doesn't need to take as many breaks because he doesn't actually do anything! He just puts the CD on play and stands there acting into it. I found this article pretty interesting: Band vs DJ The case for hiring a live band

[DJPlus]

Originally Posted by wifey to be

....you get 3 professional musicians versus 1 guy who does it to earn some extra cash on the weekends.

I think you will find that in both musicians and DJ's the majority of them are part time and are doing it to "earn some extra cash" as you put it. But there are equally also full time musicians and DJ's.

Originally Posted by wifey to be

A DJ doesn't need to take as many breaks because he doesn't actually do anything!

If the DJ is a full time professional, the charge is not only for the performance but pre-planning, client consultations, insurance, rent, telephone, fuel, copyright licensing, printing, postage, equipment maintenance, training and a multitude of other related expenses just like any other business - the only thing that most people see is the performance and they tend to forget about all the other things involved.

Wifey To Be, as I said in my previous post there are Pros and Cons to each option and there will be those that will never hire a DJ and those who will never hire a band - hey there are those that just hook up an MP3 player - it really depends on what is important to each couple and what they are trying to achieve. If you were a little more objective, your views would be more valuable.

It appears to me that you are here, and I apologise in advance if I am incorrect, to promote bands against DJ's or the band you have hired (if this is true). 2 posts and that is all you have to contribute - sorry, but it seems a little suspect. Don't you have any other wedding details you wish to share, or is the only thing you have done is book your band?

[wifey to be]

DJPlus the majority of DJs have not been professionally trained in music, do not hold any tertiary qualifications in music or even sound recording/engineering. I believe money is better spent on people with training & the relevant qualifications. I feel that my coming across a band comprised of full time professional musicians is valuable information that I would like to share with other future brides.

And fyi the charges for a DJ that you mentioned (eg pre-planning, insurance, fuel etc) are the same as for a live band, if not more since there are 4+ people rather than 1.

Granted I am a new user, but I don't believe any one person (ie DJPlus) should feel entitled to 'control' the views being expressed on this forum nor feel qualified to categorize another person's recommendations as invalid and invaluable. I am starting to get the impression that I've joined the wrong wedding forum! I thought it would be an encouraging arena to share thoughts and tips during the wedding planning stages in a friendly environment.

I can assure you I am not affiliated with Jazz Fever nor here to promote them, I don't feel I have done that in the least. I was merely providing a recommendation, is that against the rules? Are we not allowed to make any recommendations about anything on this forum lest we be accused of self-promotion? That seems ridiculous and controlling.

I feel I am very objective and have alot to offer on this topic if only because I have put in the hards researhcing wedding entertainment and I can safely say I am much more impartial on the subject of Band vs DJ than someone with a username 'DJPlus'. Yes I am new to this forum but I don't think that fact makes my views any less valid.

[DJPlus]

Originally Posted by wifey to be

DJPlus the majority of DJs have not been professionally trained in music, do not hold any tertiary qualifications in music or even sound recording/engineering. I believe money is better spent on people with training & the relevant qualifications. I feel that my coming across a band comprised of full time professional musicians is valuable information that I would like to share with other future brides.

And fyi the charges for a DJ that you mentioned (eg pre-planning, insurance, fuel etc) are the same as for a live band, if not more since there are 4+ people rather than 1.

Granted I am a new user, but I don't believe any one person (ie DJPlus) should feel entitled to 'control' the views being expressed on this forum nor feel qualified to categorize another person's recommendations as invalid and invaluable. I am starting to get the impression that I've joined the wrong wedding forum! I thought it would be an encouraging arena to share thoughts and tips during the wedding planning stages in a friendly environment.

I can assure you I am not affiliated with Jazz Fever nor here to promote them, I don't feel I have done that in the least. I was merely providing a recommendation, is that against the rules? Are we not allowed to make any recommendations about anything on this forum lest we be accused of self-promotion? That seems ridiculous and controlling.

I feel I am very objective and have alot to offer on this topic if only because I have put in the hards researhcing wedding entertainment and I can safely say I am much more impartial on the subject of Band vs DJ than someone with a username 'DJPlus'. Yes I am new to this forum but I don't think that fact makes my views any less valid.

I apologised in my reply in advance and apolgise again if I got it wrong - I am the first to admit I am not perfect. Yes I am A DJ, I have been on this forum for quite a number of years and have not once promoted my service, always offered impartial advice and will continue to do so - please reread my post:

"Each has its Pros and Cons - there is no right or wrong answer, it all comes down to personal choice."

You are entitled to your opinion. I was just trying to point out that each entertainment option is valid and the only entity that has the right to determine which is right for them, for whatever reason, is the couple.

I certainly was not trying to, or have ever tried to control the views of others - everybody here will vouch for that. Sorry once again if I caused you offense - it certainly wasn't intended. But just as you wish to have your views expressed, bear in mind that others also have theirs and there will always be disagreements.

I do not intend in getting into a 'debate' about the relative merits of either band or DJ, as stated above the most qualified person to decide is the bridal couple. End of this particular debate between you and me.

Hopefully, we can both continue to offer constructive advice going forward.

[wifey to be]

Thanks DJPlus no hard feelings. I am new to this and perhaps was too eager beaver in expressing my recommendation for Jazz Fever. I'll be more tactful with my wedding recs in the future.

I'm just here to make friends and get support & advice along the way, not to ruffle any feathers