Here's Exactly How to Decide Between a Band vs. DJ for Your

The average cost of a wedding band vs. a DJ in 2022 was a $1800 to $2000 price difference. The cost of bands and DJs varies based on the hours booked, the number of members and the required equipment. According to our internal study, a live band costs anywhere from $3000 to $7000 and a wedding DJ costs $1,200 to $5000. Usually, DJs cost less than bands because they have fewer members, less set up time and fewer members. Keeping in mind, a fully license and professional DJ service has overhead like any other business (insurance, licensing, leases, office rent or mortgage, expenses are just a few to name). Be very careful when researching a DJ service. Make sure they are licensed and insured!

There are a couple of things to consider if you're wondering if you should have a live band or DJ for your wedding. Here are four ways to help make your final decision, according to wedding experts.

If having a live band or DJ is a top priority, you need to make adjustments to your wedding budget so you can book the music entertainment you want.  "If the entertainment is taking up more than 20% of the budget, you might be giving up something pretty significant, so you need to look at the wedding budget as a whole and reconsider your options. Some couples want a band, so they try to work that into the budget from the beginning. For couples working with stricter numbers, I would suggest spending less on entertainment with a wonderful DJ to rock the house." First Dance DJ Service also wants to-be-weds to think about other factors impacting the final price. "When budgeting, it's important to be aware of additional costs that might come with a live band, which can include renting a stage, extra power drops or generators and hotel room requests for the entertainers if they're traveling from far.   With a First Dance our packages are created with your financial decision in mind and won't break that budget. Our packages include a professional DJ and entertainer, professionally dressed table and stands, complete lighting package, big screens, TV's and more - all-inclusive! We guarantee our packages contain way more options and features then out competitors at the same price!

Couples should "consider the atmosphere they want to create for their wedding day and what kind of energy they want to bring to their reception." The type of music you pick can set the tone of your wedding and solidify a theme.  And it's the thing people most often remember. Think about what musical genre best reflects your and your partner's personalities and inspires the ambiance you want to create.  70's disco or a romantic string quartette? A throwback big band feel or kick-off-your-shoes rockabilly? The way the music is delivered, by a live band or DJ, also affects the atmosphere. The type of music you want may impact your decision too––big band sounds are generally best live, for example.  Having a DJ is great for many reasons besides being cost-effective.  Having one or two people provide a soundtrack for the night will be more affordable than having eight to 10 people in a band. You will also have versatility in the playlist because they can switch between genres and styles quickly.  Some couples may want little interaction with the crowd, and having a DJ can achieve that for their wedding.  Another thing people love about DJs nowadays is how many are like mini-production companies since they offer lighting packages, projectors and much more, which is perfect for to-be-weds who want an elevated DJ experience without paying separately for an A/V company. We at First Dance DJ Service strive in visual entertainment with 9foot 4K big screens, 60" LED screens, visual animations and effects and intelligent lighting packages.

If you can't pick between a band or DJ for your wedding, luckily you don't have to choose. There are numerous ways you can combine these two forms of entertainment. "If the band takes breaks, the DJ can take over during these lulls to keep the energy up. Perhaps play songs that aren't on the band's roster.  Wedding after-parties have also become increasingly popular so you could also have a DJ take over the party once the band closes out the official reception.  A final (and outside-the-box) way to combine a DJ and live band is through a more recent concept called fusion bands. The DJ is the central focus, but they also feature live instruments like guitars, drums and horns so you still get the performance factor on stage. You trade in live vocals for a DJ, but it gives you the best of both worlds and tends to be a high-energy option." Some entertainment companies, like us at First Dance, offer a DJ and band combo for weddings or wedding socials which is less work than finding a band and DJ that has the same style and is willing to work together. 

**Our opinion is that a DJ service can offer you more genres, more artists, more songs, more interactive, and is a way

better choice then live entertainment**

At a way better cost!