DJ or a Band

Date Posted: November 19, 2009

Is it about time to plan for a wedding? In this post I will give you some information about entertainment choice. In a later blog I will talk about when to book and how much to budget for entertainment.

Lets get an overview of what you need to put on your todo list.

Rings, check. Parents blessings, check. Reception Hall, check. Food, check. Music, hummmm….

Music is just a small part of the reception, and probably the most under budgeted. What do you get when you find a DJ or a Band? With a DJ you get a bunch of recorded music, a band you have live performers. Either way you will have musical entertainment, and hopefully a good time.

What about someone to coordinate the reception, the entrance, toasts, cutting the cake, directing food traffic, first dance, special dances or events? That’s where the Emcee comes. Most DJ companies (mine especially) employ a Wedding Emcee. This person is trained not only to be a good DJ, someone who can play the right music at the right time and keep the party going, but the emcee is also trained to be the coordinator, the buffer, and sometimes the problem solver. He is the person that you trust to make everything run smooth and let you have the time of your life! He is the second most important person at the reception, right behind the bride and groom!

Chances are that when you are going to start planning for the wedding, you start with the Church and Reception hall, then the catering and the officiant. Next lets not forget the photographer, and then it’s off to the bridal shop to pick dresses, and to the jewelry store for rings!

Don’t forget your entertainment! “Should we have a DJ or a Band?”

1. Band – PROS : A band can be a great entertainment package for the reception, they play live music and may be comically entertaining at the same time. You may have a lead man that is very good at performing and can also double as your Emcee. CONS: More people to feed, more people that may drink, and more people to pay. That may not be a big concern if you can get the band to sign a contract that states they are there not to drink, and not to eat. Volume is an issue with a band also, it’s really hard to keep them quiet! I SHOULD KNOW! I also play in a band, and from experience, it only gets louder from the beginning and only gets quiet on set brakes and when they quit. Another thing to think about is that the music will stop and start. An even bigger problem is that a large percentage of bands may not have a backup plan for you if they have an injury, get sick, break up. They may leave you in the cold at your reception. That is a lot of things that could go wrong.

2. DJ – PROS : A DJ will (or should) be able to play any of your personal requests, and any requests from your guests. Many DJs will have 2 people to play music and interact with the guests. Many instances is one of DJs will be a trained Emcee and the other will be in charge of Sound levels and music during dinner. The DJ is only 2 people to feed (if it is in the contract) and let drink (My company has strict rules for it’s DJs and Emcee’s about drinking on the job.) If one of the DJs get sick or injured, they are easy to replace by the DJ Company, and the same about the Emcee. And the music never stops! Oh, did I mention that the Emcee is trained in entertainment and coordinating an event?

OK I gave you the Pros, now I will give you the cons to hiring a DJ. (Yes, I am a DJ and I am confident in my abilities that I can tell you what can go wrong, what I have experienced to go wrong and what I strive to inform you that will not go wrong when contracting with My company. Everythings a sales pitch….)

CONS : DJ Arrives late, DJ arrives Drunk, DJ eats all of your food, DJ is rude and not very professional. In addition the DJ or Emcee did not take the time to make sure that your expectations for the reception are met before the event. I have talked to former brides that contracted with other companies (I’m not naming names) and the DJ did not have the First dance cd or song, or were obnoxious or rude to the guests, did not take any requests, and played only the music that they thought was good or that they liked. The biggest complaint I have heard from these brides was the DJ showed up to a formal event wearing Shorts a Hawaiian shirt and sandals.

Now that you have the pros and cons of both Bands and DJs, I’ll help you decide on a DJ (not bashing bands here, I’m just going to show you what MnM Sound DJ services offers, and if you have any questions you can email me through my contact page.)

Here we go!

With MnM Sound DJs, you get a trained Emcee, and a DJ. We also provide you with a large library of music to chose from and equipment that sounds and looks good. We also provide disco or dance club lighting to set the mood of your event.

Your Emcee will contact you the week before your wedding and check in to see how your planning is going and to verify the order of events on your special day. From music selection to special announcements and pronunciation of names. Remember, he is the go to person for you to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Our DJs will arrive approximately 2 hours early to the start of the reception to setup before the guests arrive and to make any adjustments.

Our DJs are professional in how they present themselves. Dressing in either Tuxes or Suit and Tie, they are made too look like part of the party, and easy to find when you need them.

My company staffs 2 complete setups and 4 DJs and 2 Emcees in house.

One of my DJs is fluent in Spanish and can officiate at a Spanish Bi-lingual event.

I hope that this helps you choose a DJ and Emcee in the future, and I hope that it helps you choose my company when the time comes.

If you have any questions or would like references about DJs in my area, feel free to contact me through my contact page.

Thanks for reading!

DJ Matt