Music is an important part of the wedding day.  When chosen correctly, the proper music will set the tone for the day and trigger happy memories for years to come.  The age-old question as far as wedding music is, “Should I hire live musicians or have a DJ?”

Live Music is great because it is just that, LIVE…Performers can work a crowd to get your guests excited, or evoke emotions at just the right moment.  Many brides imagine walking down the aisle to the music of a classically trained string quartet and dancing into the wee hours of the morning with her favorite band.  Consider space requirements for all of the musicians at the ceremony and at the reception.  Also, most live musicians have set break schedules (e.g. play for 40 minutes with a 20 minute break).  Don’t forget to take this into consideration as well.

A Disc Jockey is great because he can provide your favorite tunes by the original artists who made the song your favorite.  Also, it is generally a more economical way to go.  The space requirement for a DJ is generally smaller especially that many DJ’s have library digitally now.

Regardless of which direction you choose to go, it is wise to book your talent as soon as you have decided on your venue.  Many top bands and DJ’s book as far as a year in advance.  It is also important to audition your talent.  You can visit an event that they will be performing at or arrange a private audition.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Check the style of your band or DJ to make sure that they will fit in or compliment the style of your day
• Make sure to provide  a list of songs that you want to hear at your event
• It can also be a good idea to provide your entertainment with a list of songs that you do NOT want to hear
• Don’t forget to discuss set-up time and overtime fees to avoid surprises!
• Read the contract carefully
  • Look for “in the event of illness” clauses—find out who will be the replacement
  • Require that the person with whom you met will be present the day of the event
  • Check with your venue to make sure that the DJ or band will be allowed to set-up and perform
    • Confirm with your venue that they have the proper insurance to support this entertainment.
  • Don’t feel pressured to sign the contract on site