It doesn't matter how much or how little you
have to spend on location and decoration
for your wedding reception. The music you
play music will establish the mood: formal or
festive, flashy or fun.
Kristin Hooper, who is planning a formal
wedding and reception for 150 guests, has felt a
little daunted and has been putting off making a
music decision. "We want some jazz, some covers,"
she says. "It's a struggle. We don't know
where to go." Luckily, she's getting married next
March, one of the least-busy wedding months
But she's already made one decision: She and
her fiancé, Joe, are opting for a band "for the
extra energy at the reception," she says. "With
live music, we feel more people will want to get
up and dance."
DJ or Band? ...
This seems to be the most hotly contested
debate in wedding planning. And few prospective
spouses occupy the "it-doesn't-matter-tome"
middle ground. Whichever corner you're in,
you're ready to come out swinging with your
arguments.
The pro-DJ theory: "If we hire a DJ, the
songs will sound the way we remember them!"
There are some practical reasons to opt for a DJ,
and the first one is space. A band, even a small
band with its performers, instruments, amps
and mike stands, will take up a fair amount of
real estate at your reception, and you'll need to
allow additional space between the stage or performing
area and the dance floor. You don't
want your guests swaying directly in front of
eardrum-splitting speakers.
Another reason to consider a DJ, of course, is
price. DJs cost less than live musicians. And live
musicians, no matter how good they are, prob
ably won't recreate "your song" they way you
remember it. If you must have Whitney Houston
sing "I Will Always Love You," accept no substitutes.
Either hire Whitney, or make sure the DJ
has her song on the play list.
... Band or DJ?
The pro-band argument: "Bands are more
fun!" Lychelle Lawrenz, director of catering for
the University Club of Chicago, is a big believer
in bands. "I believe that a client should only
use a DJ versus live music if their budget does
not allow for live music or if there is a plethora
of ethnic guests/music preferences that must be
met," she says. But it's not just about picking a
band, it's about picking the right band. "Guests
fail to realize how very, very important the
bandleader truly is, because he or she is the
actual emcee that orchestrates everything. That
individual must be able to speak well, follow a
very detailed timeline and also be able to shave
off or add on dancing time if the kitchen is
behind or ahead. And the bandleader needs to
be someone who listens to what the bride or
groom wants and not tell them what he thinks
they want."
Do your homework
Hiring a band is a big decision. There are a
slew of resources on the Web to help you make
up your mind. But there's no substitute for legwork.
Stick with professional musicians who
understand the kind of event you are planning,
listen to them perform if you can, and ask for
references. The best musicians have solid reputations
and are happy to refer you to satisfied
customers.
Price estimates:
DJ: Some DJs charge a flat fee, others charge
by the hour (with a minimum number of hours
required). Flat fees differ based on amenities
(Do you really need a fog machine?); some
packages start at $1,200 and top out around
$2,000. Hourly rates will run $250 - $500
an hour.
Jazz Trio:
Whether for a cocktail hour at a swanky hotel
or for whiling away an evening at a formal
reception high above the city lights, plan on
shelling out anywhere from $150 to $450 an
hour for three hep cats.
String Quartet:
Classical-music lover? Descendant of Mozart?
You might spend $200 to $600 an hour, a
small price to pay for a lot of panache.
Bands (Large and small):
A small band is usually considered six musicians
or fewer, a large band, seven or more. Fees
for a band are usually flat, often negotiable
(more-popular bands may set their rates based on
demand, so you'll want to book them as far in
advance as possible for the best rate) and include
a set number of hours, with charges for overtime.
If you've seen a band in another city (at a friend's
wedding perhaps) and you absolutely must have
them perform at your reception, many bands are
willing to travel. They'll bill you a premium fee,
and specify a number of airline tickets and hotel
rooms that must be supplied. If you can find a
band you like in your hometown, estimate
$2,800 to $3,000 for a small band, anywhere
from to $4,000 to more than $10,000 for a
large band.
As with all wedding details, don't sweat the
small stuff. No wedding is 100-percent glitchfree.
"Don't overfret it," says Steph Meyers, a
newlywed who hired a band to perform at her
wedding reception. "Because in the end, you're
married, and that's what you're there for."
