Make Your Wedding Inexpensive

One very important aspect of your wedding planning that can make or break your wedding is the entertainment that you plan to have at your reception. You will spend anywhere from 2%-10% of your wedding budget on the entertainment. You ask, “Why such a big disparity in the percentages?” Well the difference comes in whether you have live music with a wedding band or whether you decide to go with a DJ. We’ll take a look at both options and see how it will affect our wedding and our budget since we are trying to make your wedding inexpensive.

Choosing the wedding music can be a difficult task. Trying to please everybody with your choice of music will be hard enough because not everyone shares the same taste in music which can sometimes leave you in an awkward situation. I remember reading somewhere once that the type of music that you choose to play in your wedding should be an expression of the bride and groom’s personality, personal taste, and the overall theme of the wedding. Well, I think that since you are usually dealing with broad ranges of age groups at a wedding reception you should be sure to include plenty of the classic wedding songs in that mix as well. Do you remember “Rock around the clock?” Including tunes like that on your play-list is proper wedding music for any reception. Most experienced wedding bands or DJ’s should be very familiar with these.

Having live music at your reception will usually be more expensive. Usually the larger the band is, the more expensive the cost is to you. If you can fit them into your budget wedding bands can be great and well worth it! There is nothing that sets the mood for your big wedding bash better than the thrill and excitement of live music. The guys on the stage are going to be leading your party. If the band is having fun on stage, so will you and your guests on the dance-floor.

Before choosing a band you must be sure that there is adequate room at your venue to support them. You may also need permission from your venue before having a band so be sure to check this out in advance so that there are no surprises.

When choosing the actual wedding band, ask them if you can listen to their music first. Hearing them at a live gig is always better than a demo tape or CD. This way you can get a better feel for their energy. Also don’t forget to have a chat about the emcee duties. Keep in mind that a wedding gig is a long day for a band. To get the very best from them it is going to be important to make sure they are comfortable and well cared for, especially during their breaks. After all, they are the party.

Before signing any sort of contract with a wedding band, don’t forget to check them out. How long has the band been involved in wedding entertainment? Can you talk to a “satisfied customer,” possibly a couple who used the band for their wedding and were, happy with them? Remember to always do your due diligence.

Even though the cost of a DJ will be less than a live band you should still try not to skimp in this department if you can help it. A good, well experienced DJ can really make your event magnificent. Since you will be saving a few bucks by not having a band, I would really suggest that you not skimp on the DJ just because he’s ten dollars cheaper than the next one. Just as you are doing with all of your other arrangements, make sure you do your homework!

You want to be sure that your DJ is personable and will ensure that everyone has a good time. They should have a lot of personality and be able to get people dancing. That’s really important! Be sure to let them know exactly what kind of music you want, so that they are prepared. Ask how they’re prepared to work with you to make your day extraordinary. Understand that not all DJs are alike, and that a good one brings as much to your wedding as any premium florist or baker will. They are the party!

Look for a full-timer who shows their commitment to their profession. Look at their promotional photos and videos. Are they wearing tuxes? Do they look sharp? Take a look at their sound systems if you can.

Once you’ve settled on a DJ, have a one-on-one discussion with the DJ. Just to explain what type of entertainment and mood you want to have during the reception. Also discuss, the selection of music that you have in mind. A good DJ with experience on weddings will also entertain in between breaks. They will also keep the music going at all times with a little background music in between intervals to avoid that dreaded silence when the music suddenly stops playing.

The best thing about opting for a DJ is the fact that the guests can request their favorite songs and you also have the ability to request all of your favorite songs in the play-list, plus you save a few dollars and keep your wedding inexpensive at the same time.

“When you look back on your wedding reception in years to come, you’ll want to remember what a fantastic time everyone had. Remember, the music at your party is going to play a huge role in that. Make sure that you pay extra special attention to this one detail and I’m sure that your wedding will stand out as being remarkable in your mind as well as your guest’s minds forever.