Live band vs DJ disagreement

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Not a problem! Wishing you the very best for your wedding day!

Compromise to a point. Let him have the band for the time frame they charge and still have the DJ play songs after. Let the Live band be the choice you both will be happy to have songs heard of you like.

Just to give an idea of what took place of my brothers wedding back in 2000.

One of the events held in the evening was a live band that was something wanted by the bride's family. They paid for the whole evening and the hours that were part of the deal.

The reception was a DJ well known in New York who came out to play variety of songs. He didn't come cheap too.

Here's my thing with live bands, unless you've seen them live and had an AMAZING time, you just won't know what you're getting into. If the singer is terrible, well he can't change his voice.. if the guitarist doesn't show up, you're down an important player.

Hiring a DJ is definitely the safest option. It's easy to read reviews from couples and venues regarding a certain DJ.

If your FH doesn't budge, I like Alyssa's idea here : Live band for the ceremony/cocktail hour/dinner...and a DJ for the rest of the evening. It's a good compromise!

I am definitely more partial to a DJ.. so I'm with you on that.. and not to sound stubborn.. but if I were you I wouldn't look for bands either. If he claims you have made all the decisions and he wants to have this one then he can do the leg work.. The later he leaves it the less chance there will be he actually finds one. Win for you !!

My FH and I have very musical friends. We decided that we are having live music for our Ceremony and our Cocktail and considering having it for our dances - then let the DJ take over later in the evening when dinner is ended.

View quoted message Thank you! We are considering doing both and having the band play for a short time but I will hire the DJ for the whole event anyway. My fiancé is in a band himself though and thinks it’s unlikely a band would want to set up /take down for such a short time but we will look

I would suggest a little mixture of the two. Have a DJ as your main music source and then have a band come and play for an hour or so, and after hes done put the DJ back on that way you get the best of both worlds.

Having a live band is an entertainment point for your guest too, so its always a nice addition. I would definitively suggest not having a band the whole night in the event the band isn't the greatest or only knows a TYPE of music.

If you can only afford to do one, I would highly recommend a DJ.

Thanks guys!! After I talked yet again to him he actually agreed that a DJ might be a good idea because he also does like the idea of variety plus we are going to be socializing and drinking and it’s not going to be like a concert or anything . That said I will give him a deadline (whichhe absolutely needs) because if a band is important to him then That is fine but he needs to get on it

I'm with Kelsie on this one - give him the deadline and I wouldn't worry too much about what songs they are capable of other than your specific dance songs. Most bands know the basics but you could also ask they learn a few more especially because you have over a year before the wedding.

Maybe if he does get all of the quotes he can see just how much money it would cost because if he is like my FH, he thinks that the price I give him is not accurate until I looks up more and realizes that as overpriced as it is - it's the only price you could get for what you want.

My FH wanted specific things (he wanted a specific DJ and wanted to buy his suit rather than renting) and did the research himself. Then he pulled all the quotes and we decided together.

Let your partner know you’re ok with having a band if he does the research. My FH needs deadlines to actually get things done. So perhaps say, I’m good with you suggesting a band but you need to do the research and obtain the quotes by X date.

My FSIL had a band at her wedding that included a DJ (and an MC). Maybe there is a compromise like that somewhere as well!