Band or dj? 22 May 2012 at 2:17PM in Weddings & anniversaries 38 replies 3.9K views

Stephb1986_2

Hi there,

I've been thinking about evening entertainment and what your all doing?

I have got a price for a dj (£300) but I remember my cousins weddings having a empty dance floor with a dj and I don't want the same.

I wasn't sure if to go with a band or dj?

I've already got a price for casino tables (£420)

Many Thanks
Steph xx

daisiegg

We're doing something a little bit different and having a ceilidh band (Scottish barn dance). I'm half Scottish though. I would have had the same worries about an empty dance floor if there was a DJ - I for one certainly wouldn't be up and dancing lol! I think a band might be more expensive than a DJ if only because it involves more than one person being paid.

I think it's a personal decision that only you can make, knowing your guests. I always knew I didn't want a DJ as I have had so many nights from hell being dragged onto dance floors and not wanting to be there! Whereas I know how fun a ceilidh is and that everyone (including me!) will be up having a blast.

rubysmummy_2

We were having this trouble deciding, many people said not to waste money on a band (the band i wanted were £1000!) and just to have a DJ. we recently went to a wedding where there was the DJ that they provide and they were absolutely rubbish - not one person was up dancing and i made my decision there and then that i would try and save up for a band. Anyway what me and my partner do now is keep our eyes out for any bands / singer type people playing in our area and go and watch them. We went to see one guy who sang and played drums and he had a guitarist with him and he was fab - after speaking to him we got a price for £250 (cheaper than the DJ we were going to use) but he said that he was also in a band and they were more "weddingy" and they charged £350 - we are going to see them next month and if they are as good as he was or fingers crossed even better we will be booking them. what i would suggest is try and find a pub that holds band nights and see if you like any of those, they might be cheaper than a DJ.

RainbowDrops

Stephb1986 wrote: »

I have got a price for a dj (£300) but I remember my cousins weddings having a empty dance floor with a dj and I don't want the same.

The best thing to do is go with recommendations, and also consider the type of stuff that you’re guests are most likely to dance too.
If you’ve most mostly older guests, chances are they’re not gonna dance to LMFAO Party Rock Anthem & other chart pop, for example.

We had a band and a DJ – both of them we knew, so knew what we were getting.
The band let us pick from their set list & went down a storm, a few classic cheesy wedding songs, some 90s brit pop, intdie, and a 90s dance megamix! Then the DJ did a rave power hour at the end.

C_Mababejive

I know a band in Lancashire..

Stephb1986_2

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I know a band in Lancashire..

Are they any good?

C_Mababejive

Stephb1986 wrote: »

Are they any good?

They are an upbeat combo of some repute. You have pm.

Hollie84

Id have a dj,plays a range of music and if you have kids there they keep the kids entertained to,well mine is at no extra cost either.people can request songs they like.i cant say ive ever been to a wedding or a party where the dance floor has been empty.
Thing is if you also have other entertainment like casino tables u may find more people around them and no one on the dance floor?? i dont know,personally im only having a dj, i think other entertainment is a waste,people entertain themselves at weddings from my experience.

balmk

We had a DJ and a light-up disco dance-floor - people were up and dancing as soon as they arrived and didn't stop all night! It was 70s themed as well so we had a right laugh. So much fun we decided to have an anniversary party every year!

If you get the package, you can often get a good rate (though do shop around). We have used Neil before at www.flashdancefloors.co.uk and he provides a DJ and floor service at a very competetive rate.

trying_2_b_good

I had a DJ in Blackburn for £175 - so I think you can get a better quote. He was fantastic, played all the songs requested and non of the songs we asked him not to play. My friends & I always dance, so it wasn't really an issue.

Saying that, I've been to weddings where we've danced (because we always do) and the music has been pants so it was pretty torturous. Make sure you know what you would dance to and that that's what they'll play!

I really wanted a band, but they're sooooooo expensive so we decided not to bother. We would have needed a DJ too as the party went on until 1 and bands don't play for that long!

I've also been to weddings were nobody danced to the wonderful jazz band. It's really dependant on your guests!!

Stephb1986_2

We're into alsort of music like foo fighters, phil colins etc not sure about what other people like mil2b's wedding I can't remember any of the songs the dj played.

Someone came up with a good idea for me, have a singer/band for the first part of the evening until the hog roast then have a dj for the rest of the evening providing I can afford it. best of both worlds

Steph x