We live in a world of digital music, Spotify playlists, and instant access to any song you want. We live in an age that everyone knows someone that says they are a DJ, anyone can become an amateur DJ, and “Why shouldn’t we have a DJ at our wedding?”. I think of a time when I grew up where if you said you were having a DJ at your wedding, YOU WERE CRAZY!
Yep, flash back to the 1970’s, 1980’s and even very early 1990’s. This amazing wedding DJ world was looked down on! Wedding DJ’s were cheesy, wore glitter vests, did ridiculous games. Had zero feel or soul to the music! You know you were at an elegant social event if they had a band. Yes, some bands were not even as good as the “cheesy” DJ. But it was a social norm. You had a wedding for 250 people at XYZ country club, or elegant hotel ballroom, you had to have a 5 to 8 pcs. band. I think of the movie, The Wedding Singer… put it on the big screen for everyone to see! Check out the opening scene from the movie.
My own sister had a band at her wedding! When I started DJ’ing, I even modeled how I MC’ed and played music from her wedding video! I did!
You must remember, DJ’s back in the 70’s, 80’s and very early 90’s didn’t or couldn’t mix music as well as a band could blend one song into the next. I even remember locations not “allowing” DJ’s to be at some types of events!
Then boom. The wedding world turned upside down. DJ’s, their equipment, & skills closely matched a wedding band. Plus 1/5 the price was looking great to Dad footing the bill. The wedding bands hated DJ’s back then. But there was, and still is, a place for both!
I really wanted to talk about why a wedding band now is a great idea. Yes, a DJ who wants me to book a wedding band? Well, yes. If you want that live feel, emotion, passion that you might not find in a wedding DJ. If you want that bar room feel, that singer hitting that epic note in a song, that raw energy a great wedding band can give, then yes!
Now where does a good band fit? You must have a few items in place to book a band.
- Budget. Plan on spending from $3,500.00 (4 PCS band) to (dare I say) $10,000.00 (up to 10 pcs. including horn section) for a band!
- Space! Unlike a DJ who need maybe 6 ft, you must look at a drum kit, keyboard, bass player, speakers, back line sound, and even sound engineer for some bands
- You must remember, no live band can sound the same as the original recording. But at the same time, no DJ can add the pure sound a live band can give to a song.
- You must find a band who plays YOUR style of music! Do not think a band can just learn music. I have seen that, and no.
- For a wedding or social company event, never hire a band you’ve just seen at a local bar. Why? Well, it’s simple. Experience. You want a band who understands the flow of an event like yours. Has the sound equipment needed for a room you might have, and looks professional! Do you want the drummer in ripped jeans at your Company event? Sure, he can play the drums. But is that the look you want?
OK, great. You want to book a band! How do you do that?
Well, it comes back to this DJ, and the other account managers working full-time at SE Events.
We know the locations you are having that “once in a lifetime” event at, and all the details and logistics of each event space. We are even going to ask you about your budget in ensure the best match. Then we are going to send you our special bio link to the band that fit’s your needs. Here is an example…
You will be able to speak to the band before you book, ask questions, and provide all of the specifics they will need to handle things exactly the way you envision. We want your band experience to be as simple as it would be with our DJ services!
I hoped this helped you in your wedding band search and answered a few questions. But, if you have more, please feel free to call or email us.
We are here to help you enjoy your special occasion and dance the night away!
See you on the dance floor!
