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Original poster

Band or venue???

21 replies

reginafalange2020 · 23/05/2020 20:42

I have recently became engaged. Completely over the moon. We have decided to start planning for hopefully a 2021 wedding or if that's not possible a 2022 date.
We've found a beautiful venue with amazing views and is quite personal to us as a couple. Waiting on a price at the moment. I also have a band in mind who are absolutely fantastic and will undoubtedly make the day for everyone.

My question is in your opinion what is more important? A beautiful, quirky venue with DJ or a more "forgettable" venue but completely unforgettable entertainment?
I can't afford both. We are saving and cutting costs already in every possible area.
Would love your advice on this

OP posts:
StarsOnAMat · 23/05/2020 20:53

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.

Hushabusha · 23/05/2020 20:56

Venue is more important

Mytimetogo · 23/05/2020 21:05

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!

Original poster
reginafalange2020 · 23/05/2020 21:32

Thanks for your reply. I totally see what your all saying. However, The band I have in mind are truly awesome. They've toured with some fairly big acts not that that matters but are really talented. I've seen them live at a friends wedding and they really blew me away. I wouldn't book any other band it would only be them or a DJ. The cheaper venue I have in mind is in a nice surrounding near a lake so nice enough but it wouldn't take people's breath away like the favourite wow venue.

OP posts:
skankingpiglet · 23/05/2020 21:59

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.

Blue2020 · 24/05/2020 11:45

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.

RoosterPie · 24/05/2020 11:48

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.

megladon2020 · 24/05/2020 12:02

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.

Truthpact · 24/05/2020 20:30

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.

Original poster
reginafalange2020 · 24/05/2020 21:17

We've already got a date for the favourite venue and the band are also provisionally booked for the same date. The second venue I'm still waiting to hear from because they are mostly working from home during lockdown so only picking up phone messages once a day.

OP posts:
Mytimetogo · 24/05/2020 22:52

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

Original poster
reginafalange2020 · 24/05/2020 23:21

They do a 50 minute set, have a break and then a 60 minute set and we are able to use their PA system to play music in between x

OP posts:
Truthpact · 25/05/2020 09:17

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?

yourestandingonmyneck · 25/05/2020 09:19

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

Original poster
reginafalange2020 · 25/05/2020 09:51

The band are happy to hold the date for a few days until we can confirm our venue, they are really chilled. At the end of the day I think we've decided the band is more important but the favourite venue is working on prices for us so it might mean we could afford both, we just need them to get back to us with a final price which hopefully should be by weds. If we can't afford it we will go with the cheaper venue and the band. Thanks everyone for your advice, it's been really useful Smile

OP posts:
Truthpact · 25/05/2020 10:08

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.

INeedNewShoes · 25/05/2020 10:23

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.

Original poster
reginafalange2020 · 26/05/2020 11:46

We've booked the cheaper venue and the band. We are thrilled. The venue was actually really pretty when we went to view it 🤗🤗

Thanks everyone for your help

OP posts:
allfacepalmedout · 26/05/2020 12:03

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.

ILoveMyDog14 · 29/05/2020 21:56

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

steelyjan · 14/12/2020 13:42

@Mytimetogo

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

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