The Difference

You have a multitude of options available for your wedding entertainment - any Internet search or wedding publication produces dozens, if not hundreds, of bands and DJs vying for your business. Discerning the difference between these options can help you choose the ideal entertainment for your event.

Bands

Bands are often considered the most traditional choice for a wedding reception. Many brides appreciate the look of a live band's expansive setup, or feel their guests will expect the "showiness" of a band's performance.

There are other factors to consider, however:

A lack of versatility is the single biggest obstacle when considering a band. Finding a band that can appeal to a diverse range of musical tastes and that is up-to-date with the latest hits is very difficult, if not impossible. Accommodating requests is often out of the question, as even an excellent band's repertoire is shorter than any DJ's collection. A great band will learn to play your first dance, however obscure; no band on Earth will learn all your favorites or those of your guests, nor can they generally blend multicultural music styles. A band also generally has a pre-selected "set list" that cannot be easily altered when guests aren't responding to a particular type of music.

Furthermore, while music lovers often appreciate the performance skill of a band, they usually prefer to hear their favorite songs performed by the original artists. If a specific vocal timbre and instrumentation weren't essential, you'd be equally pleased with any version of a song you enjoy - that usually isn't the case.

Quality of emcee work is also an important element - most bandleaders are skilled at managing their performers, but not necessarily an expert at introductions or other announcements. This can lead to either a sub-par effort on the bandleader's part or the task being delegated to a catering manager or wedding coordinator, neither of whom is generally qualified or prepared. Even couples who desire very limited microphone work want their announcements to be impeccable.

Subtlety is also important to many couples - some want to remain in the spotlight and not be overshadowed by a flashy performance; others know their guests won't appreciate being singled out by an overzealous bandleader. There's no question who will be the center of attention when a large band, often costumed or utilizing lights or props, is dominating the room.

Space, power, and acoustics must also be considered. A band can easily overpower a small room or one with low ceilings, and in a more expansive room, increased volume isn't always the best option - sometimes multiple smaller speakers placed throughout the space is necessary for optimal sound quality.

A band invariably requires breaks throughout the evening, which are usually filled with CD music, if anything. Furthermore, the bandleader generally leaves the room during breaks, leaving no one to attend the recorded music. Nothing brings down a festive atmosphere faster than a vivacious band transitioning to CD music that then skips or leaves pauses between songs.

Finally, cost can be an important factor. Even the lesser-known bands charge upward of $2,500 - the most talented DJs in the area cost less. The cost of some of the largest bands could pay for your honeymoon or for the catering for 100 guests. Furthermore, utilizing a band can mean paying for five to fifteen additional meals, staging rental, or supplemental audio equipment. For more information on this topic, see the article "Top 10 Reasons to Hire a DJ Instead of a Band for your Wedding" in the advice section of our website.

Large DJ Agencies

For couples who decide a DJ's versatility and affordability are desirable, turning to a large entertainment agency might seem like the smartest option. Large companies' flashy advertisements and presence at virtually every bridal event can make them seem like a sound choice.

Some points to keep in mind, however:

Large agencies -- those with a long roster of subcontracted DJs who are not exclusive to that company -- almost always employ sales representatives whose job is to sell you on the company image. That sales representative, usually the owner or a principal of the agency, often does a great job of making you feel comfortable and excited to book the agency's services, only to find out at the end of the meeting that he isn't available for your date, or costs double or triple the amount you were quoted. You're then faced with signing a contract with the company, but not knowing who your DJ will be. Usually, large agencies will assign your DJ a few weeks prior to your wedding, based on factors such as availability and profit margins. Rarely will an agency allow you to meet the specific performer before signing the contract; they can't offer this option because they can't guarantee the performer will be affiliated with the company by the time your event rolls around. If they will "lock" your preferred DJ, they generally charge an additional fee of $200-1000 -- that's the price for your peace of mind.

Sometimes an agency will tell you that they don't select a DJ for you until you submit your music requests and other event paperwork, so that they can best "match" you with someone whose music tastes reflect yours. This isn't a courtesy to you; it's an attempt to stall on assigning someone to your event. If you haven't met your specific DJ prior to signing a contract, and his name isn't printed on your contract, the performer assigned to you is just luck of the draw and will be chosen a few weeks before your wedding. Rather than being "carefully selected" for your event, the DJ is chosen from the agency's roster based on who's available and wasn't "locked" by any other clients. Furthermore, a quality performer can work with any client's tastes, provided he has had ample time to coordinate with the client, preferably throughout the entire planning process.

Customer service is another area sorely lacking on the part of some large companies, who are mainly concerned with getting your contract and money, then getting your event off their schedule. Few agencies provide truly thorough and attentive customer service throughout your planning process, which may be as long as two years or more. Booking a virtually limitless number of events, then managing operations for those events, makes it nearly impossible for the agency to place a high priority on answering questions and requests for help. Generally, once you've signed a contract with an agency's salesperson, your event is shelved until the month of your wedding, when they concern themselves with finding the DJ.

Once it is time for the large agency to find the DJ, it has a few options. One or two select events may be performed by the owners or principals of the company; the rest are farmed out to independent contractors who accept the event on a verbal agreement. In some cases, the event may be subcontracted to another agency altogether, which may have very different performance standards than the company you hired. In either situation, you may have very little input as to the experience level or skill of your DJ. The price you paid may or may not be a factor in whether you get a "pro" or someone who's performed only a couple of weddings. It should be known that some companies' idea of sufficient training is to have a new DJ "roadie," or carry equipment for and observe, a more experienced performer. That "roadie" status may last for only an event or two before that individual is performing weddings and other important events on his own. Even the more experienced DJs at larger agencies are usually "weekend warriors" who just perform events on the side for extra money.

Inconsistency is a huge concern when working with a large agency. Most agencies promote an all-encompassing message of accommodating every type of event at every budget -- they are self-proclaimed "experts" at everything and specialists in nothing. They are, in essence, willing to do anything for any price. Two different couples with the same wedding date, same event duration, and identical venues may be charged very different rates - one at $400, one at $2,000 - based on what the company feels it can get, yet both will receive promises that their event will be spectacular. It is literally impossible for one company to provide the exact same quality of customer service, equipment, and performance to every client regardless of a $1,600 price differential. If it were possible, it would be a tremendous scam.

In addition, what seem like selling points for a large agency may actually be smoke and mirrors, or at the very least, hardly exclusive to that company. An exhaustive "music library" often consists of the same collection (or, in some cases, a music-downloading subscription) as that of a smaller company or single operator. Backup equipment is only truly useful if it is brought, without exception, to every event -- having additional systems in a warehouse 50 miles from your reception site does you no good if your event is delayed. Backup DJs are only a "backup" if they have comparable talent and experience, as opposed to being "benched" by their agency due to lack of skill or demand.

Live "demonstrations" are an increasingly common sales tool, yet don't demonstrate anything meaningful beyond the salesperson's ability to play a few songs on a sound system -- one used solely for such demonstrations and not the actual equipment that is brought to an event.

Independent DJs

Independent DJs' performance and customer service standards can often be more easily discerned than those of a large agency, and there is the benefit of being guaranteed a particular performer.

Some issues to keep in mind when considering an independent performer:

Many single operators DJ on the side for extra income, but don't consider their DJ business to be a full-time job, nor their clients a full-time commitment.

Furthermore, very few single operators have the luxury of specializing solely in weddings, which is why they can often be found performing in bars, nightclubs, and at "karaoke nights." Focusing exclusively on wedding receptions, at the expense of accepting many other types of events, is not financially feasible for most single operators; conversely, these performers are not able to dedicate as much attention to their wedding clients due to schedule demands.

Liability insurance is essential for a vendor's protection as well as the client's. Many single operators do not carry liability insurance, which leaves you and the event site at risk. For this reason, some sites will not permit a DJ or any other vendor to work at the site without proof of insurance, and this is stated in the contract. A DJ should be able to provide you with his policy certificate upon request.

Backup equipment and access to qualified backup DJs is another shortcoming of some single operators. Often for strictly financial reasons, a single operator may not have additional equipment available in case of emergency, and a lack of affiliation with other performers may make a backup DJ an impossibility.

MyDeejay.com: The Difference

MyDeejay.com combines the finer points of each of these options -- elegance, resourcefulness, and a commitment to customer service -- and offers what many bands and DJ's can't.

• Limitless versatility
• Impeccable emcee skills
• Personal attention from one specific performer throughout your planning process
• Impartial pricing structure
• Full-time commitment to your satisfaction and the success of your event
• Focus on performing exclusively for weddings
• Liability insurance of $2,000,000 for each performer
• Backup equipment brought to every event, and backup DJs with experience and skill

We realize you have many choices available to you, and are grateful to be considered for your special event. For more information on the difference offered by MyDeejay.com, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.