Band or venue???

I’d rather have the venue. It’s me who’ll be looking at the pictures afterwards. We had a DJ and he was fine. My BIL had a seven piece band who didn’t take requests because they only had a limited set list and they cost a fortune. You’re in the place all day. Band will only be for four hours at night.

Venue is more important

Lots of 'bands' who market themselves for specifically for weddings are actually session musicians who are booked for a night. They are great, talented and professional but lacking the 'chemistry' of a band-band. So I'd say unless you have a favourite band you want to book, spend the money on the venue. As soon as you mention 'wedding', many will whack their prices up. We had a 3-piece jazz band for the wedding breakfast (three-hundred quid) and then a DJ set up for the evening. We asked any DJ friends of ours to do a DJ set each. Congrats and enjoy planning!

I would go with the band provided you are sure your guests (of all ages) will find them equally awesome.
We had a fantastic band who cost more than the venue we'd hired for 3 days (sounds amazingly extravagant, but it was a basic but beautiful campsite). They were absolutely brilliant and the highlight of our reception. We had young and old from a mix of cultural and social backgrounds, and everyone was on their feet dancing and stomping around a tent in the woods. It was money well spent.

Depends on your preference really. I’ve been to both sides, one friend last year had the venue they loved and a dj, it was a lovely day and great location for photos etc. Then a colleagues wedding last year had a great/expensive band, I remember the band, their first dance and I can see why they invested so much. They are music/gig/festival fans though and it’s how they met. Their venue was an old meeting room/barn. It was nice, just involved turning the same room around. They hired a falconry bird to deliver their rings during the ceremony.

Venue is more important however I’d say that’s more to do with logistics etc than it being quirky or pretty. The right venue can make or break a wedding whereas whatever band you get won’t be to everyone’s taste.

I'd go for the band if you know they're fab. Entertainment makes a wedding mediocre or great. I've been to some weddings at really beautiful fancy venues where the entertainment has been a single person /dj who didn't get the crowd interested and it turned out boring. Everyone started slumping off early or going to residents bar. I've been at a wedding in a local social club where the band were amazing and honestly it was one of the best nights ever. Everyone still raves about it. Personal choice though I guess.

Book for 2022 and save for both? You'll maybe be lucky to get a date next year anyway with everyone this year rebooking for next.

Be careful the band don't just do 2x 45 minute sets and that you've only got that as your entertainment.

I would just see about moving to 2022 still, but otherwise you'll have to choose. Why have you provisionally booked the band as well if you've already booked the venue and why look at the other venue at all? Have you paid deposits?

Band. Everybody just wants to have a good time. Get a band that will get everybody up dancing. That's what people will remember.

If the second venue is still pretty, no one will care about how 'wow' the first one is. My cousin got married in a castle and the most people remember from that is the marriage only lasted a year. I think most people care about there being enough food and booze at a wedding to be honest. Hence why we are putting extra bottles on the tables and plenty of food all day and night.

If it's a good band then 100% the band.

My favourite weddings when I look back have been the ones in the village hall with a great band.

I once went to a wedding in a v posh venue. Do I remember what the venue was like? Nope. I just remember how fantastic the band was.

I've been to another wedding in an even more posh venue. The entertainment at that one was nowhere near as good, and all I remember about that one is sitting around for hours and hours and hours in poncy surroundings waiting for something to happen.

Would you have the wedding in 2022 to give yourselves the chance to save a bit more and potentially have both?

Good point - check if the band's pa will double up as a disco to keep the feet tapping throughout the evening

Source: www.entertainersworldwide.com/wedding-entertainment

Comprehensive Guide to Wedding Entertainment Hire