You’ve just been announced Man and Wife and now it’s time to make your grand entrance at your reception, which is in fact your wedding celebration party. What musical genre best reflects your personalities and inspires the ambience you want to create? Is it groovy funk or subdued string quartet? Is it swing or country? How the music is delivered, by DJ or live band, also affects the ambience. No doubt about it, music can make or break a wedding celebration. So keep in mind, and consider these issues to start your search.

• Vibe: Believe it or not, music is the thing that is most often remembered by your guests. So make sure the type of music you choose, whether DJ or live band, represents the image you want to create for your wedding bash.

• Variety: Even if you and your new husband have different tastes, you are a little R & B and he’s classic rock, make sure the DJ or Band play a variety of music from slow to fast, old and new and hits that your guests will recognize and set their feet in motion.

• Budget: Generally, DJs cost less, and prices vary by day of the week and equipment requests. A live Band will generally be more expensive than a DJ unless your friends have a band and play at your reception as a wedding gift. (My sister’s husband’s jazz band surprised them at their reception and they rocked out all night. It was an unexpected music choice but it’s something that all the guests will never forget.) Band prices vary by the number of musicians, day of the week, and how long you want them to play.

• Space: Make sure you really examine the space in which you have for your music choice. Make sure to ask questions that deal with noise limitations or electrical power supply before booking your DJ or Band.

Let’s break down the Pro’s and Con’s of having a Band vs. DJ:

BAND

Pros: Live music is, well, live. You and your guest will experience the pleasure of performance. The band can change it up a bit and give a longer instrumental solo or raise the excitement level by getting the audience actively involved.

Cons: Bands can be more expensive than DJs so if you are on a budget it might be better to go with a DJ who has a wide variety of music in the genre you prefer.

Bands also come with break periods. Make sure you discuss their break policy, because lounge bands generally play for 40 minutes with a 20-minute break between sets. So you need to make arrangements to have alternate music for that time period.

DJs

Pros: DJs are generally less expensive than bands and during breaks they can throw on compilation disc. A DJ with a charismatic stage presence and excellent emcee skills can really set the mood and keep the party going.

Cons: On the opposite end of the spectrum, a DJ with a less-than stellar personality can be a party killer.

Whatever you decide to go with, just remember that you will want to see a DJ or Band in action before you commit. This is important because you want to see how they will dress, deadpan, and work the crowd. If that’s not possible then ask for a play list and look for the songs you know and love. Consider your first-dance song as an audition. If the band doesn’t know it and is unwilling to learn it, or the DJ doesn’t own it and is unwilling to get it, move on.

Matt and I decided to go with a DJ because he heard him mix at a local event and really wanted him to do our wedding. It’s great because we not only are going to give him a play list but a “do not” play list. He’s also one of the top DJs requested in the state of Virginia. If you live in Virginia and want a great DJ just contact Astro Disc Jockeys. They are located out of Virginia Beach but do events in DC, Baltimore, and all over the state of Virginia.