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  1.  
    • GemmaR81
      CommentAuthorGemmaR81
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    I got told a few days ago by my future SIL that a wedding was not a wedding if you did not have a band. This has got me thinking about this. I think that I would choose a band on the basis of the music that my OH and myself like. So unless there was a Bon Jovi/Oasis cover band this would not be possible.
    We are going for a DJ as we feel that a DJ will play a variety of songs. I know my family well enough to know what they will dance to. The DJ that we are having 'calls' ceilidh dances so we will have about half an hour of that, which for my English family will be a great touch.
    What is everyone else having xx




  2.  
    • VictoriaL46
      CommentAuthorVictoriaL46
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    My OH and I are having a DJ simply because of the variety of music we will be playing. A band is all well and good but they would be playing their sound which is great if you want that thing. For my OH and I, we like different types of metal/rock/pop/dance and as the night progresses we want to vary the mood and cater for everyone. for eg we're going to have Shinedown:Unity as our first dance followed by Barenaked Ladies: Odds are... later on we want to play songs like Dead or Alive: You spin me right round and at the end Runrig: Loch Lomond.

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  3.  
    • VictoriaL46
      CommentAuthorVictoriaL46
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    and ps it's your wedding not your SIL's

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  4.  
    • GemmaR81
      CommentAuthorGemmaR81
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    this was her slating a mate of hers wedding. I saw a video tonight of our DJ playing at our venue and it looked and sounded good so I am happy with our choice. If she comes she comes if not she wont have to listen to the DJ xx




  5.  
    • barbie86
      CommentAuthorbarbie86
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    We had a lot of different music, as music is really important to us. So, we had:

    String trio for the ceremony and drinks reception

    Acoustic guitarist/singer from 6.30-7.50pm and again during the band's break from 9-10-9.30pm

    Live band fromn 7.55-11pm

    DJ from 11pm-1.30am

    The live music went down the best and had the most people up and dancing; in hindsight, I would have had the band play until 11.30pm, but initially we thought we had a strict cut-off of 1am for music (the venue ended up relaxing it until 1.30am). I do tend to think that live music is best, but it does depend on the band you hire and the guests you have. Our band and acoustic guitarist were very versatile and play a huge range of music, and the guests we had all like the sort of music they play and appreciate live music. Had we had mainly people who liked, say, chart/RnB, then we'd have just gone with a DJ.

    Basically, I would cater to your guests, and it sounds like you have. We're experienced at hosting parties and music is always our No. 1 priority; get it wrong, and the atmosphere will not be good. We've had a lot of compliments about the wedding, and most of them related to the atmosphere and music. So, just make sure you liase with the DJ and that he knows what and what not to play.
  6.  
    • Flossie
      CommentAuthorFlossie
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    We're having a DJ - neither of us are really bothered by live bands. We are having a harpist playing through the wedding breakfast as well x

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    xx
  7.  
    • Ariana
      CommentAuthorAriana
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    from our experiences, good live band is better than DJ that plays all your wedding favorites. We went to a few band on open days and won’t sway live band for DJ, having said that, live of course is more expensive than DJ.
  8.  
    • Flossie
      CommentAuthorFlossie
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    I think it's the people at your wedding that make it fun and ensure you have a good time, regardless of whether you have a band or a DJ. I know my family and friends will be up and dancing and having a brill time with a DJ xx

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  9.  
    • CommentAuthorJessica29792
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    We are either going to have a DJ or we are just going to play songs from our ipods through some speakers (provided it is loud enough). I don't think a band will be able to play all of the songs that you might want and they may only have a specific style that they play which is why we aren't getting one. It would be nice but at the same time it could be a bit of a pain. We have our own songs picked out and we are going to get guests to write a song down on their RSVP's that they want playing as well and get all the songs together either for our ipod's or for the DJ x
  10.  
    • Whovianbride
      CommentAuthorWhovianbride
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    I personally agree and think a band makes a wedding if you can afford one. Allot of wedding bands doo a big range of music and they doo 1/2 sets with a break which a lot have a DJ set up to keep the party going inbetween, so if there is any sings you want they don't have can play them then. And are always willing to learn your first dance song. We have engaged a band for just over £1000, wedding with DJs I've been to just don't have the same atmosphere a band brings.

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  11.  
    • Flossie
      CommentAuthorFlossie
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    It's all down to personal preferences and depends what your budget is really :) x

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  12.  
    • Elinor Claire
      CommentAuthorElinor Claire
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    We're going for a DJ. Partly it's because it's a lot cheaper, but also because you have a wider range of choice with a DJ. A band will have a set playlist, and will need notice to add anything specific to it, which there's no guarantee they will. If something is the wrong style for the band they won't be able to do it. A band would work well if you have something specific in mind, for example I went to one wedding where they had a Beatles tribute, and that was great, as the couple are big fans of the Beatles.

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  13.  
    • CommentAuthorMidgetGem89
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    we are having a dj hes a fsmily friend so i know what to expect (keeo him away from the bar till late) lol

    we wanted a band my ohs friends band firelight opera they are fantastic but expensive and also would only cover one range of music not exactly music many ppl would dsnce do id rather ppl were dsncing and having fun than sat dowb jjst listening or ignoring xx
  14.  
    • CommentAuthorJessica29792
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    That is my thought as well lennyc89, the music that we will have will be specifically music that people have chosen as well as music that me and h2b have chosen so everyone will like it and most people should dance to it! I don't think a band would create that atmosphere. It might for some people, dont get me wrong, but for us in particular it just wouldn't work x
  15.  
    • barbie86
      CommentAuthorbarbie86
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    Most bands play a wide range though. Ours plays loads of stuff ranging from the 60s to present day, across different genres (rock/pop/indie/dance/ska). At ours people danced much more to the and than the DJ and we wish we'd had the band play a little longer. As I said though it does depend on the crowd and their tastes; if the majority of guests are in their early 20s and like chart/RnB then yes, a DJ is probably the best bet.
  16.  
    • CommentAuthorJessica29792
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    How much does your band cost, if you don't mind me asking, barbie86? And where abouts are you from? Just so I can get an idea of the local bands in my area x
  17.  
    • Flossie
      CommentAuthorFlossie
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    The majority of my guests will be older than 20s but still think a DJ is best for us. :) never been a big fan of live music, can take it or leave it xx

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    xx
  18.  
    • CommentAuthorJessica29792
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    That is the same as me, the majority of my family and h2b's family that are invited will be well over the age of 20. The only ones that will be younger will be my brother who will be 19, and all of the other children who equate to about 20 out of 70 guests. We will probably just go with a DJ as it will be cheaper but I wouldn't even know where to start with all of that! Thankfully our venue holds wedding fairs with all the suppliers that have done weddings there so may have to attend one of those before the big day x
  19.  
    • Flossie
      CommentAuthorFlossie
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      edited
     
    We just went with the DJ that our venue recommended. Had a look on their website, had a read of everything, spoke to the owner to get a quote etc. and was impressed with the service so just went with it :) I like how they know the venue inside out, and likewise, the venue know them, so everything should run seamlessly :) x

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    xx
  20.  
    • CommentAuthorJessica29792
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    Yeah, that is one of the good things about using companies etc. that the venue recommends... I can't wait until we can actually start booking all this kind of thing. Its too far for us yet :( x
  21.  
    • barbie86
      CommentAuthorbarbie86
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      edited
     
    Jessica: we were charged £600 but gave then £800. They were friends of ours though; their normal fee is £1200.

    Music was really important to us so we spent quite a bit (about £2k) and had everything. DJs are definitely the more affordable option, I grant that; I just disagree with the idea that bands don't have a wide repertoire. If we'd gone with a DJ it would have been because a) our budget didn't stretch to a band or b) a DJ would be better suited to our guests.

    We've hosted a lot of parties and music is always top of our list of priorities as from experience, the music makes or breaks the atmosphere and it is SO important to get it right. So that coupled with photography were two things we didn't want to compromise on.
  22.  
    • WelshBrideBethan2015
      CommentAuthorWelshBrideBethan2015
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    We will be having DJ for the evening part however we might have live band for drinks reception and the change over after dinner, as it's a museum the sound will be perfect for both :)

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  23.  
    • DonnaH39
      CommentAuthorDonnaH39
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    It all depends on your personal preference and also budget, personally I prefer bands BUT I would def not say a wedding is not a wedding without a band.... I think what makes a wedding is two people joining together in marriage personally not the music or anything else for that matter...

    I think you have taken into consideration why you want a DJ as well, our friends had a DJ for their wedding and they had a lovely day/night... I've been to weddings which have been a lot worse (actually I'll be honest I've only been to one wedding reception that had a band... not that I've been to loads of weddings but out of the 5 I have been to, only one had a band and I wouldn't say any of the others were bad weddings, they were all great in their own way)




  24.  
    • ElizabethF49
      CommentAuthorElizabethF49
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    We have went for a live band I wasn't fussed either way but OH wanted the band.

    A good wedding DJ will have your dance floor filled and I personally think it doesn't matter as long as everyone enjoys themselves x

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  25.  
    • InDreamland
      CommentAuthorInDreamland
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    I'd say DJ any day, cheaper and far more variety of music. Ours kept the dance floor filled all night, everyone was sad when he had to stop at midnight as it was still packed. I've been to weddings that have had live bands and the dance floor has been empty.

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  26.  
    • GemmaR81
      CommentAuthorGemmaR81
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    Both of my cousins last year had band and disco inbetween. The first one, the floor was empty until the DJ came on. The second one there were a few family tracks that the band played and that was the only time when the band were playing that the floor was full. The DJ really filled the dancefloor and it was empty for about a minute, when he changed the track to get people back on the floor xxx




  27.  
    • CharlotteE98
      CommentAuthorCharlotteE98
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    We're just having a DJ as he will be able to change the style of music to get people on the dance floor. OH's sister had a band and a DJ and I personally don't think it worked very well, because the band did a set then the DJ jumped in and it felt a bit messy. The dance floor was pretty empty most of the time and most people had gone home well before kick out time.

    It's your wedding and you do what you like. It sounds like you've got a really good DJ though :o)
  28.  
    • AprilS61
      CommentAuthorAprilS61
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    We are having a DJ and it's included in our package, but we are also having a singer that we know. He's doing 3 sets through the day/night. He's brilliant and will probably have more people on the dance floor than the DJ, as I have seen whenever I see him play x

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