Think back to the last wedding you've attended as a guest. What's the thing that made it 'pop' for you?
Was it the ceremony? Maybe. Could it have been the gorgeous floral arrangements? Unlikely - however beautiful they may have appeared at the time.
No, chances are, it was the wedding reception, and more to the point, the evening's entertainment that ensured the formalities of the wedding ceremony and speeches made it a wedding to remember. It's a well accepted fact that the better the entertainment, the more your guests will herald from the rooftops that your wedding was the best they've been to in ages.
If you want to wow your valued guests, pay heed to which road you will travel when arriving at the intersection of band versus DJ. There are, as anyone will tell you, merits and pitfalls with either choice. Without uncomfortably balancing on the fence in regard to this crucial aspect of your wedding planning, let me share a few of the highlights, with the assistance of Joel and Justin of Rotorua-based Absolute DJs.
A band can make a fantastic visual impression on stage, and if they sound as good as they look, then you're on to a definite winner. However, a band may lack the variety and diversity of music of a professional DJ. While a band may offer a varied selection of tunes, a DJ's music base will inevitably be larger. The average cost of a band is $2000 for about four hours, whereas average cost for a DJ is about $650 for eight hours.
It's also valuable to note that you can request the DJ take care of music related to the ceremony. Unless a band receives a special request prior to the wedding day, it's often unlikely they'll be able to oblige without first having learnt the song if it is not already part of their playlist. On the other hand, as long as your DJ has advance warning, and they can source it, your special tune can be easily implemented.
What about if, in true Kiwiana do-it-yourself style, you intend to appoint some unfortunate person to create an iPod playlist of your favourite tune? Short answer - don't do it if you're keen to create wow factor.
Imagine a fantastic first dance and the thrill of seeing elder members of your family all joining you on the dance floor. You're minutes into the next song only to be left cringing as Snoop Dogg's I wanna make you sweat slams into action. Your family all sit down again.
Depending on your playlist, this could happen all through the night.
Whether you choose a band or DJ, examine the playlists before the big day. Sit down and talk through the playlists with your band or DJ to ensure your song selections are in theme with your personal taste and considerate of your guests.