Deciding the pros of wedding DJs mostly comes down to preference. If you anticipate your guests wanting to dance the night away to some crazy lights and dance hits, hiring a wedding DJ is the most appropriate option. Additionally, platinum DJs can save you money while providing you with more immersive wedding entertainment.
Most of the cons of hiring a wedding DJ relate to hiring an inexperienced or inept DJ. Choosing which questions to ask your DJ can help you make the correct decision regarding your wedding entertainment.
This article discusses the various pros and cons of hiring a wedding DJ. Use it to decide whether a wedding DJ or band is the best decision for your wedding.
Wedding DJ Pros
Wedding DJs have more versatility than wedding bands, and they often have better sound because they’re playing the recorded versions of songs. Studio recorded music has higher sound quality than a live recording, and DJs use this to their advantage.
From a sing-a-long perspective, wedding guests can latch on to studio-recorded music because it doesn’t contain improvisation and it’s in its original form. Additionally, most people prefer the original artists to sing their favorite songs. Having a live band perform classic wedding songs can alter the song enough to disinterest listeners.
Versatility
With software such as Ableton, DJs can load massive amounts of music into their database and use it at the right time. With wedding bands, you’re limited to the musician’s talent and style.
For example, a wedding band might be talented performing Journey but not have a clue how to perform Michael Jackson’s hits. Hiring a wedding Dj gives you access to a massive archive of hits that people from different backgrounds can get behind.
Bigger Show Antics
Wedding DJs and wedding bands have different show dynamics. Wedding bands tend to accentuate the band members as the main attraction. These band members can be engaging and get the crowd involved with their stage antics and instrumental talent.
On the other hand, DJs are a one-person band, and most of the time, you can’t tell what they’re doing with their equipment, making it harder for them to engage with the audience on a technical level. Thus, DJs can focus on other elements of their show, such as the lighting and fog techniques.
Platinum DJs typically have add-ons to what they offer to make their shows more immersive and entertaining. They make it possible to have an insane laser light show or a cool fog machine to engage guests at your wedding reception.
Expert MCs
While bands have to focus on playing, wedding DJs are experts at stringing music together to create the right flow to a wedding reception. Bands often have dead space between their songs because they have to adjust levels, switch effects pedals, and make sure they’re all on the same page.
DJs only have one piece of equipment to worry about, and no one can interfere with the set’s flow, freeing them to focus on keeping the party going.
Easier Set-Up
Bands typically have at least three people. Wedding bands often have even more because they need a full enough sound to compete with DJs. Because they require more people, they require more equipment.
Wedding DJs don’t have to worry about coordinating multiple schedules and setting up complex equipment. Because they have more straightforward equipment, they can set up in smaller spaces, allowing you to fit more guests in tighter venues.
Budget
Again, wedding bands have more people than DJs, which means you have to pay more for their services. With a wedding band, you might have to pay as many as seven members. Band DJs give you access to more music for less money.
Wedding DJ Cons
Hiring a wedding DJ can come with its drawbacks, especially if you choose an unsatisfactory one. However, people with lousy wedding DJ experiences might have some common misconceptions about wedding DJs overall.
Knowing what questions to ask your wedding DJ can help you avoid the following DJ faux-pas.
Generic Show
When you hire a sub-par wedding DJ, they tend to play contrived music. They cannot branch outside of their preferred genre because they lack musical knowledge. When hiring a wedding DJ, make sure you choose one with a vast musical repertoire who cares about guests’ preferences.
Bands Can Engage With the Crowd Easier
Because bands have more people and can display their technical talents more easily than DJs, they can engage with the crowd on a tangible level– guests can see band members’ musical talents.
This intimate stage interaction can produce more of a visceral experience for some guests. It just depends on what type of guests you have at your wedding.
Equipment Crashes
When hiring a wedding DJ, you need to make sure you choose one with the required skillset to prevent equipment crashes. There are many moving parts to DJ equipment, and finding a DJ with expertise operating the equipment will save you from any unwanted surprises at your wedding reception.
People Who Don’t Like To Dance
Some guests prefer wedding receptions with sing-a-long style wedding reception entertainment. These types of guests might warrant a wedding reception with a wedding band. DJs tend to take more dance-heavy music, so those who aren’t as apt to dance might not like DJs as much as wedding bands.
Conclusion- What Are the Pros and Cons of Hiring a Wedding DJ
When planning your wedding entertainment, you have to consider what’s best for you and your guests. If you have guests who prefer a more stripped-down show, hiring a band can be your best option.
If you want an experience with more exciting aspects such as fog machines and laser lights, and you want to save some money by not paying multiple people, hiring a wedding DJ is most likely suitable.
When hiring your wedding DJ, make sure that you hire one with the experience required to bring your wedding entertainment dreams to life.