Monthly Archives: August 2010

In writing this article, I feel from an entertainment aspect, whether you are hiring a DJ or a Band at a wedding reception, you will need to take this article into account.

This article is completely based on facts and opinions of over 100′s of Bands and Dj’s.  Being that I have 24 years and over 1500 wedding receptions of experience personally, I think that I have a better outlook than even some wedding coordinators in this business.

When setting the floor plan for your wedding reception, you need to keep this in mind: PLACEMENT of the bar. It is ok to have an outside bar during cocktail hour, but STRONGLY discouraged for the dance portion of your evening, that is unless you don’t care about your dancing atmosphere throughout the night.

Guests naturally will gravitate to the bar setting, wherever it may be to have some nice conversation. If you have the bar in the same room, they can have that same conversation, but be a part of the atmosphere where the fun is. When the bar is in the other room, they are shut off from that atmosphere and fun. With the bar being in the other room, they can barely, if at all hear, the music, see where the fun is and it takes them out of the element. If you have the bar in the room, and they see the dance floor and everyone having a great time, they are more likely to join and be a part of the party.

So while the argument may be that a great DJ or Band will keep everyone in the room, that is completely 110% false.  It is hard for a DJ or Band to get that groove with the right group if they aren’t around. Think about it.. if Journeys ” Don’t stop believing” came on at 11pm at night and you were waiting for that song all night and came back in the room after it was over, you would have missed everyone getting excited to the song. However on the other side, if you were in the room with everyone and they all got excited and ran to the dance floor and starting jamming, then  you are more likely to keep them on the dance floor, rather than only working with a small select group all night.

Many people over the years have mentioned to us that they are looking at bands as well as DJ’s for their Cleveland wedding. I personally had a band….AND a DJ at my wedding, so I know the impression live music can make. But lets’ take a better look at the difference between the two and why it may be more benefitial to go with one or the other. When reading this post, understand that this is 100% based on my opinion and experience of 24 years in this field.

Important NOTE: Most people have seen such BAD and un-impressive DJ’s and are sooo turned off by seeing that, they naturally lean towards a band.. It does NOT have to be that way. Read more below.

Band: ranging from 1 man bands to 15 or more pieces

Costs: As low as 795.00 to 8000,00+ on average

Pros: Classy, Live performance, Real genuine sound,

Cons: More expensive, Lack of coordination, In most cases NO Emcee, In most cases no meeting with band leader, rather just phone calls, Smaller music library to play, will have to learn custom songs, very loud and hard to control volume, larger equipment.

Having a band is truly an amazing touch to a wedding reception. Usually you have to pay 2k plus to have a semi professional band. We are not saying not to get a band, rather consider this when thinking about getting one. Do they have an Emcee/coordinator whom you will get to meet with one on one to go over the announcements, names,activities, feel for the evening? How long are your breaks? Do you require meals? Will you coordinate with all the vendors so everyone is on the same page?

We have worked with several bands over the years as DJ’s and done all the coordinating/Emcee work. Most of the bands we have worked with, unfortunately did not produce the same “dance” results as we were able to achieve as experienced, professional DJ’s. I know that their are plenty of great wedding bands that have the dancefloor packed at many receptions, we just haven’t worked with them. I have heard many stories of bands not being able to get the atmosphere fun to get a “music groove” to where people had an amazing time.

DJ’s

Pros: Less expensive, More variety of music, Emcee skills, Coordination, in most cases meetings with your DJ/MC  directly, can control the volume level, can play just about anything

Cons, Have to do much research to find the right DJ,

Costs: 600.00-1900.00

Experienced, Professional Dj’s can be as, or more classier than a band. They can be very fun and easy to work with if you hire the right one. They can coordinate with your other vendors and Emcee the entire evening so each guest will know exactly what is going on and when. The benefit of hiring a DJ over a band, usually falls within the way they communicate with the other vendors and how they can keep the evening running smoothly. If you do end up hiring a band, then we would strongly reccomend hiring a coordinator and an Emcee as well to cover the other angles. A cleveland wedding DJ can truly make your wedding reception as much if not more fun that a Band can. A band can be an amazing choice if you hire one with all of the things your profesional Cleveland wedding djs can offer.

Please feel free to add to this article by posting.

One of the most misunderstood areas of your wedding planning is music selection. Most Brides and grooms automatically think that they are the ones who are supposed to choose the music (all of it) for their wedding. That answer couldn’t be further from the truth. While most Brides and grooms are expected to choose formality songs and a few others, the rest isn’t and most likely NOT necessary to choose.

Part of a DJ/mc’s Job is to create an evening of fun and ongoing events where there is no dead time in a wedding. Even in the middle to end of dinner you should be playing some more upbeat music. The transition between dinner and dancing is EVERYTHING. If your guests are bored because too much time passed, then chances are they will become more bored/tired and less likely to get up and dance.

If you keep the evening running smoothly and build up the music and atmosphere, it will surely get all age groups up and dancing. The common denominator is the “fun atmosphere”

With the atmosphere in fun mode, everyone from grandma Marge to your young friends in college will see how contagious the fun is.

As a Cleveland wedding dj for 24 years, I utilize the input of the bride and groom in regards to some must plays and play if possibles and they give me a better feel for what they want and I mix that in with the reaction of your guests.