How to Save Money on Your Wedding Music
Music can truly make or break a wedding. I have been to weddings where the band or DJ was great and had everyone out on the dance floor and having fun. I have also been to weddings where the DJ was terrible, playing odd song selections and stumbling over his words when he spoke into the microphone. Unfortunately the best DJs and wedding bands don’t come cheap. This article will tell you how to get the most for your money when hiring a band or a DJ for your wedding music.
Music For Your Wedding Ceremony
Most people want some music in their wedding ceremony. Walking down the aisle wouldn’t be the same without a beautiful song playing in the background. Many people hire string quartets for their wedding ceremony music, but that means you’re paying for 4 musicians to perform. That can cost you a lot, even if you only need the musicians for an hour.
Instead of a string quartet, consider hiring a pianist or a classical guitarist to provide the music for your wedding. This way you’re only paying for one musician, which will save you money, but won’t take anything away from the ceremony. Most churches have a piano, and a guitar is easy to carry, so either way your musician won’t have a lot of equipment to bring. Search for wedding musicians in your area and try to get someone who has experience but isn’t too expensive. You definitely don’t want to hire someone who has never played a wedding before.
For an even better deal, hire a music student from a nearby college to play. Serious music students are superb musicians and are often just as good as a professional. However, they will usually charge much less.
The best deal is if you have a friend or family member who is a musician. Ask them if they would be willing to play at your wedding as their gift to you.
The Reception
When you hire a band or a DJ for your reception, they aren’t just providing music. They are the emcee for the night. They’ll announce the bride and groom, wedding party, first dance, father daughter dance, etc. You want someone who has experience with weddings to take care of the announcements in a professional way. This is a skill that is often overlooked when hiring a DJ or band. Make sure that whomever you hire has solid skills on the microphone as well as their instrument or DJ equipment.
Hiring a Wedding Band
Hiring a band is usually more expensive than hiring a DJ. Not only are you paying for multiple musicians, but you’re also paying for them to lug their equipment to your wedding. However, a band can add another level of excitement and entertainment to a reception, especially if they are energetic and put on a great live show. It’s more fun to watch a live band perform than it is to watch a DJ spin records. (That being said, I have seen some VERY entertaining DJs) To save money, find a cover band that doesn’t have a huge following. Look for a group that does wedding and parties as a side business rather than a group that does it full time. If possible, try to go watch the band perform so you can get a feel for their style and ability.
Hiring a Wedding DJ
A DJ is usually less expensive than a band and there are more good DJs than there are good bands in most areas. Since you’re only paying for one person, you’re going to pay less money. When booking the DJ, make sure they know what kind of music to bring for your reception. Ask to see a list of songs in their catalogue to make sure that they would play the type of music that you want to hear. In general, avoid the big DJ companies in your area. They will usually cost more, because they are well known. Try to find a DJ who books his own gigs and has his own equipment. You’ll usually pay a lot less.
Provide Your Own Music
If your budget is really tight, you can always consider providing your own wedding music. Load up an iPod with a few hours of your favorite tunes and rent your own PA system. You’ll pay a lot less, but you’ll stil need to have someone to emcee, make announcements, etc. I have seen this done at several small weddings and it usually works out well.
In General
Make sure that anyone you hire is familiar with the wedding proceedings. Go over the song selections with them for the ceremony, first dance, father daughter dance, etc. Make sure they have a list of names that you want announced and a schedule of events. This will help avoid mix-ups and awkward moments.
• When booking a band or a DJ, always ask to see some video of one of their performances, a demo tape (for a band), their song lists, and references from people who have hired them in the past.
• Ask what kind of clothing they will wear while performing. You wouldn’t want a guitarist in ripped jeans to show up at your formal wedding. Also, ask if the band/DJ require a meal. If you have to pay for their food, you’ll need to account for the extra cost into your budget.
• If your wedding is outdoors, be sure to ask how inclement weather would affect the music/performance.
