Cost of a Wedding Band vs DJ

While getting engaged is an exciting milestone in any couple’s relationship, it’s quickly followed by the time-consuming and often stressful process of planning a wedding. As you prepare for your big day, you and your partner will begin asking important questions such as what kind of cake to get, what colors to pick for your wedding, what type of food should be served, and whether you should hire a wedding band or a DJ.

While both options can provide excellent entertainment for your guests, determining which will be a better fit often comes down to two factors: the overall vibe and mood of your wedding and the cost of a wedding band vs. a wedding DJ.

The average wedding band costs around $5,000 plus gratuity, whereas wedding DJs will cost you anything from $1,500 to $20,000. While you can find options at lower prices, these figures reflect the quality you should expect. Experienced professionals tend to charge more because of the value they bring in terms of skill and reliability.

LIV Entertainment’s wedding bands for hire combine talent and experience to give you an unforgettable celebration without breaking the bank. Whether you want a lively dance floor or a night of elegance, our bands and DJs have got you covered. Let LIV Entertainment Group take your ceremony to the next level with entertainment that bring your vision to life. Contact us today!

In this blog, we will break down the average wedding band cost vs. the average wedding DJ cost to help you decide which option is right for you and your partner.

How Much Does a Band Cost for a Wedding?

A live wedding band is the perfect choice for any couple that prefers a more concert-like traditional ambiance to their wedding rather than a club-like one. However, keep in mind that if you are thinking of going with this type of entertainment, you might have to put aside more funds than you intended.

The average wedding band cost to perform live music for three hours during your reception is around $5,000 (plus tip). Pricing for a wedding band also depends on a few key considerations, such as:

Your Wedding Venue: If your wedding is in a large city such as New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago, the cost to hire a wedding band is significantly higher. The larger the city, the more you will pay for wedding musicians.

The time of your wedding: Peak wedding season occurs during summer and early fall, so you can typically expect to pay more for your wedding music during this time of year (specifically May-October). If you hold your wedding day outside of this span of months, you will likely spend less on live wedding bands. Similarly, weekends, especially Saturdays, are the most expensive days for wedding reception entertainment, followed by Friday and Sunday. Additionally, if you plan to have live music during your cocktail hour and other sessions, the band may charge you an extra fee, so make sure to adjust your budget accordingly.

Band Members and Requests: Larger bands typically cost more than small bands. You should also keep an eye out for production costs. Visual effects, sound production, lighting, and other services provided by live bands can add to the cost. A wedding band might also request additional accommodations such as lodging, travel, dressing rooms, and food that cause their starting fee to increase.

Pros and Cons of Wedding Bands

As you think about your budget for hiring a wedding band, you should also weigh the pros and cons of having a wedding band perform at your wedding.

Pros of Live Bands

• A classy, sophisticated feel to your wedding.
• The excitement and energy of enjoying live music.
• Unique music with a personal spin from the band instead of generic wedding songs.
• More engagement with the crowd.
• You can choose a band whose sound you love.
• Wedding guests who do not enjoy dancing may still enjoy listening to live reception music.
• Wedding bands can adjust the tempo of the music.

Cons of Live Bands

• Live bands are typically more expensive than wedding DJs.
• Wedding bands won’t be able to play every song requested.
• Most bands will not be able to mimic electronic or dance music if you are going for more of a club or party vibe.
• A live band takes up more space in your reception area.
• You won’t have as much variety in your music with a wedding band.
• Wedding bands need to take breaks throughout the night while a DJ can keep the party going.

How to Choose a Band for A Wedding

Wedding bands are a fun way to add a touch of elegance to your big day, but this is only guaranteed with the right band. To find the perfect band for your wedding, follow these simple steps:

First, you have to define style and budget. There are various types of wedding bands, starting with a cover band to a classical band. To choose the best band, you need to be sure of the atmosphere you’re aiming for and how much you’re willing to spend to get it.

The next line of action is to look for bands that match your theme. You can do this by searching on the internet or asking for recommendations from friends and family. Once, you’ve gone through their past performances or reviewed their social media pages, you can move on to the next step, which is scheduling a meeting.

During your meetings with the bands you shortlisted, you’re meant to go over what you consider the dos and don’ts for your wedding. This is the perfect time to communicate your preferences with the band and learn more about how they intend to help you achieve the goals you’ve set for your event.

After the discussion, all that’s left is formally recording it in a contract. Your contract should include details such as the band’s price, the duration of their performance, extra fees, and anything relating to how your special day should play out.

How Much Is a DJ for a Wedding?

For couples who want a lively wedding with plenty of dancing and colorful lighting, a wedding DJ might be the best option. Not only are DJs more budget-friendly, they can also double as the MC of the event for an extra fee. Thus saving you the hassle of looking and the cost of paying for a separate person to do this.

The average wedding DJ cost is around $1,000. That price can vary depending on the experience level of the DJ. You can generally find a lower-range wedding DJ for less than $500 but if you want to invest in a highly-rated, expert DJ, the cost could be closer to $2,000.

The extras included in the cost of your wedding DJ depend on their services. They may be able to provide lighting, speakers, microphones, headphones, projectors, and even photo booths or karaoke. If you’re interested in any of these fun extras for your wedding guests, be sure to inquire about them with your DJ. Some of the equipment and extras listed above may be available for an additional cost, so if you have your heart set on a fun-filled dance floor, be sure to budget for these extra services.

Pros and Cons of Wedding DJs

While hiring a DJ might seem like an easy choice due to the lower cost, it’s important to consider the various pros and cons to ensure you know exactly what a wedding DJ brings compared to a live band.

Pros of Wedding DJs

• You can play all of your favorite songs exactly how you like them.
• Hiring a wedding DJ pro is much cheaper than hiring a live wedding band pro, so it’s a great way to save money.
• Your wedding DJ can play pre-recorded songs and recorded music.
• Your wedding will feel like a fun club or lively party.
• DJ services often include extras like karaoke, photo booths, and flashing lights.
• You will have a lively reception full of dancing and fun.
• They can keep the party going with an after-party.
• Your venue space will be filled with colorful lights.
• You’ll have access to the top technology and equipment.
• They can help you make announcements throughout your ceremony.
• They can adjust their reception entertainment sets to match the mood of your guests.
• You have many music genre options.
• You can write down a list of must-play songs.

Cons of Wedding DJs

• A wedding DJ is less entertaining than a live band for guests who don’t enjoy dancing.
• A DJ is generally considered less elegant than a live band.
• An inexperienced DJ can make the mood of your wedding awkward.
• Lots of tech equipment means opportunities for technical difficulties, which is the last thing you want on your wedding day.
• A DJ can feel less unique or special than a band.

How Do I Pick a DJ for My Wedding?

Whether your wedding succeeds or not is hinged on your DJ’s expertise. With the right step, finding a DJ is easier than you might expect.

1. Start by connecting with a few local DJs by searching online or asking your friends and family for referrals.

2. Then, review their websites, social media pages, and past performances to get a better sense of their experience.

3. After this, you should’ve shortlisted a few DJs you would like to schedule a meeting with to learn more about their experience with events.

4. During these meetings, you should discuss key points for your ceremony and clearly communicate your preferences.

5. Once everything has been finalized, you can draft a contract containing all the terms you’ve agreed to.

Wedding Band or DJ – Which Is Better?

What you envision for your wedding and how much of your budget you can set aside will greatly influence your choice of wedding entertainment. Ultimately, it’s your big day, so select the option that you think you will enjoy the most, and that matches your wedding style while still keeping your budget in mind. If you are set on a band, be ready to spend the extra money, but know that they will be well worth it. However, if you are looking for more of a party atmosphere and want to save some money, we suggest hiring a DJ for your wedding reception instead.

LIV Entertainment Group offers a multitude of skilled DJs and live bands from which you can choose. Whatever you decide, your guests will surely have a blast at your wedding reception!