The music you choose for your wedding and reception may end up being one of the most important decisions you make, because while it’s the invitation that gets your guests there, it’s the music that keeps them.
To keep yourself from feeling too overwhelmed, consider hiring a booking agent to find the performer that will make your wedding reception a success. Tim Jones, owner of Porter-Jones Entertainment, cautioned that brides shouldn’t be intimidated about hiring top talent. He said there is a misconception that couples have to spend $3,000-$4,000 for a great band, when that is not necessarily the case.
“The median price for the groups I book is in the $1,200-$1,500 range, [which] will buy you a whole lot of band in central Arkansas,” he said.
Following are some pros and cons of hiring a DJ or band.
Spinning the Tunes
Pros
- If nothing short of the crooning Harry Connick singing “It Had to Be You” will do for your first dance, go with a DJ.
- DJs are generally less expensive and take up less space than a band. Fees range from $300-$500 for three to four hours.
Cons
- A cheesy DJ can turn on the annoying personality and turn guests off.
- Prerecorded songs offer less flexibility.
Band Together
Pros
- When it’s done well, live music can give your reception that added element of excitement.
- Many bands will take the time to learn specific requests so that you can dance to “your” songs.
Cons
- It may be more difficult to find the style you want.
- Depending on how many people perform and how long they play, bands can run from $1,000-$3,000.
