Band or DJ?

Music can make or break a wedding reception, no doubt about it.  Every bride and groom wants their guests to have happy feet!  Whether you choose a band or DJ, finding the right one can be quite daunting and the best thing to do is ask friends and get referrals.  You want to make sure that the entertainment suits your personal taste, budget, space allowance and most of all, your guest demographics.

The type of music you choose can set the tone of your wedding and help bring a theme (if you have one) to life.  Quite often, its the music that your guests will remember the most about your reception,  and the way it's delivered, whether it's live band or DJ, will affect the ambience.

Again, with your guest demographics in mind, you're going to want a variety of music in order to encourage everyone to hit the dance floor.  If most of your guests are twenty and thirty somethings, playing all classical music will probably be the kiss of death for your party.  If most of your guests are your parent's friends, you may not want to play all Top 40.  Remember, although it is your day, the party is for your guests as well.

If your budget is the determining factor in your choice of band or DJ, an eight piece band is going to cost you considerably more.  But if your budget allows, there is nothing like live entertainment to get your guests pumped up.  As well, a good bandleader can also play the master of ceremonies at your reception.  But don't forget, no matter how great the band, they can't possibly have the same repertoire as a DJ, who can keep a huge library of music on hand.

Today's DJs are artists in their own right, offering a balanced mix of musical styles for all ages.  Plus, and probably more importantly, the songs a DJ plays will sound exactly as you know and love them. Your favourites may not sound exactly the same when played by a band.

Whatever your choice, be sure to see the band or DJ that you are interested in in action before you commit.  If you can't see them live (please, don't be a wedding crasher) then ask to attend a rehearsal or, if that's not possible, ask to see a taped performance and obtain and review playlists.  And don't be afraid to ask for referrals from the last few weddings that they've played.

Lastly, don’t forget about the SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada) fee.  If music is going to be played at any event, a fee must be paid to SOCAN.  They, in turn, distribute royalties to all copyrighted musicians in Canada.  Most venues include the SOCAN fee into the cost of the venue.

                                                            

                                                          

                                     Enjoy the party!!!