DJ or Band debate?

[RAL96]

Hi everyone, I'd really appreciate your help. I'm getting married this year and everything is near enough booked. When I've been researching wedding videographers I've noticed a huge majority of couples have opted to have a band at their evening reception and the energy just looks amazing.

I have already booked our DJ who is covering the music all day from ceremony to evening and all in between. Deposit paid. He sounds great and is apparently one of the top wedding djs in the country but I'm now starting to have 2nd thoughts and wishing I'd maybe considered a band and I don't know what to do? Is anyone able to offer any advice that has been to several wedding or had their own wedding recently? Our venue is quite small and a barn, and I know it does a sound inhibitor which I know is an issue for some bands.

Please help!

we opted for band and dj package. Alot of bands here (ni) offer band plus dj options. So band will do first dance til late then disco til last orders (1am i think). Id have been happy with disco but dp wanted whole shebang lol.

I much prefer a band to a dj personally but would have a great time with either!

DJ every time

People like to hear the familiar originals, and even a band with a huge repertoire can't match a DJ's collection.

DJ without question. Been to umpteen weddings, never seen a band that can match the originals.

Some friends paid for a guitarist/singer to open their evening wedding do, and it was brilliant. He played some traditional love songs but then some upbeat numbers too. We all really enjoyed it as his voice was great. Felt a lot less formal than a band, if that makes sense.

Hi, I was a wedding DJ for 30+ years and am now a wedding butler, so I see a LOT of wedding receptions!
In general a band is more expensive and less flexible than a dj - they take up more space, have a limited repertoire and expect to take breaks which can kill a vibe.
Very few offer an actual "dj" service - it's just a Spotify playlist which is worlds apart from a dj

This is a general view - there are awesome bands and dreadful DJs!

I'm sure your day will be fabulous, but feel free to message me if you have any worries/want advice

Definitely a band. They get everybody up dancing and singing along!

I much prefer a good band. I love live music. Often DJs are disappointing whereas people always respond to live musicians.

I had both. DJ to start, few hours from the band and DJ to finish. Worked well.

DJ, much wider range of music! Im not a fan of live bands anyway though!

Much prefer a DJ.
Bands tend to be able to play their music. They have their playlist, or set, whereas a DJ can play anything, which covers all types of music.

I really wanted a band but we also had a small
venue, and we couldn’t really justify the expense so we went with a DJ in the end, it worked well with the venue (they also provided music throughout the day), we’re really reasonably priced and I think it suited the mix of ages we had at the wedding far better than a band would have.

Thank you all for your replies and input! Think I will stick with the dj for the evening but considering some live music during the wedding breakfast price dependant!

DJ.
Bands are pointless. I’ve been to weddings where no one has danced, no one has been in the room (hot weather). People generally don’t like the same music…. The band usually require food and drink and are more expensive.

I prefer a DJ to a band. Bands tend to dominate more, and are less flexible than a DJ and are less able to change with the vibe of the room. With a DJ, there is also the switching of energy in between sets, they often don’t cover the whole evening so there’s a switch to a DJ/playlist at the end of the night anyway. My experience working at a wedding venue is that most people go for a DJ than a band, and that the energy depends more on the crowd than the music delivery. The best music I saw was a silent disco, where both channels were controlled by a DJ.

DJ for me - bands are always too loud - maybe something acoustic during the meal would be nice?

Ahhh thank you everyone for your replies!! I have still stuck with our DJ that we have booked. I spoke to my videographer as I explained what I said above and she said 'it's our job to make your wedding looking unreal you just get the good bits' which is sooo true. All our favourite people will be up and dancing anyway so thinking of just sticking with it?!

DJ.

If I ever have to hear a wedding band sing Angels ever again I'll dive through he wedding cake in anger.