Music is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of the wedding event. The type of music you chose is a reflection of your personal style and tastes and can give your wedding the ambience you want. Just as you think about what your guests will see, touch and taste when they are at your wedding, you must also pay attention to what they will hear.
Recently, I met with a lady who was in the midst of planning her wedding and when I asked her what she had in mind for her big day, one of the first things she mentioned was having a live band to play at the reception. When I asked her why she wanted a live band, her response was “Because it looks more posh, doesn’t it?”
“That depends,” I replied. “When exactly would you want them to play?”
“Oh, in the background during the meal and maybe afterwards for some dancing.”
In my book, that wasn’t a good enough reason to have a live band for a few reasons. If you are a bride on a budget, as this one was, a live band is really not worth your hard earned money. A three or four piece band could set you back a few thousand dollars when you take into account their performance fees, transport costs, hire of their instruments and sound equipment as well as the services of a sound technician to make sure the amps, etc are working as they should.
And would you really want to part with three and a half thousand dollars for background noise?! More often than not, even if the band’s performance is supposed to be part of the entertainment, chances are high that not all of your guests will appreciate the band’s efforts and will probably tune them out in favour of eating their meal or having a conversation with the person next to them. Or worse, a live band with a pitchy singer will have your guests cringing in their seats as she hits the wrong notes and your wedding would be one to remember but for all the wrong reasons.
A much better option would be to hire a professional DJ and you should be able to find a good DJ for a less than a thousand dollars. A good DJ would also discuss your music styles and preferences before the big day, taking note of any special songs that you would want to be played. He would keep the music playing throughout the event and mix it up for something more lively to dance to after the meal.
A band is only a good option when you have the following conditions:
1) You have a huge budget to play with and can afford to get one of the best bands out there. It would still be background noise but at least you can be somewhat assured that your guests won’t be cringing in their seats. OR
2) band which plays a specific style of music which would fit in with your chosen theme. For example, if you are planning a Mexican inspired soiree, a mariachi band would give your wedding the authentic ambience it would need to match your theme. Alternatively, if your theme was something like 1930s Shanghai, it might be a fun idea to make your guests feel like they are in a jazz club and a band with a jazz singer would be the perfect entertainment to transport your guests to that era.
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