Can’t decide yet who should play at your party? Finding the right music maker for your party is a tough job because music can make or break an event. Before signing that contract and entering into an agreement with either a live band or DJ, make sure you have read this little guide we prepared for you.
Start by asking yourself the basic questions: What type of entertainment suits your personality and your event? How much money do you have for the entertainment portion of the program? Is your venue going to allow a full-set band to play? Will your guests appreciate the appearance of either a live band or a DJ?
Vibe and Theme of the Party
The type of music you will choose will set the tone for your party. This will also solidify the theme and bring all the elements of the party together to form one cohesive message. Music will be the one thing that people will remember about your event. Perhaps, except for the food, of course. What musical genre best describes the event? Is it old love songs? Is it indie rock? Is it a romantic string quartet? If you want the dance-your-booties-til-midnight kind of thing, you might be better off with a DJ who can mix and match the proper dance sequences for your group. On the other hand, you could choose a live band that will entertain your guests with their beautiful voices and their showmanship.
Variety of Songs
Whether you’ll have a DJ or a live band, one thing is for sure: you have to mix the songs you want to play during the event—don’t cluster old songs together. Rather, make sure that band or the DJ plays a mix of old and new, so they can reach more to your audience and encourage all guests, young and old alike, to hit the dance floor.
Budget
DJs are generally less expensive than hiring a live band. Of course, the price of their service still vary depending on the equipment they would use and the number of hours they will render. On the other hand, a band is more expensive simply because there are more people that compose a band. The price for bands varies by the number of musicians, the amount of time you want them to perform, and the day of the week and the time of the year. During holiday seasons, prices are generally higher.
Space
Even if you have the money to hire a 10-piece band, one of the considerations you need to make is the space. Does your reception venue have space for 10 musicians and their instruments? Do they restrict the number of performers per party? Are there any electrical outlets that the musicians can use to plug in their equipment? Some registered landmarks don’t allow the use of large speakers, so it is better to confirm this first with your venue manager. We’re sure that with the right negotiating tactics, you can eventually get what you want.