Bands - yay or nay?

I would have loved a band if we had the finances, for me that would be more important than a photobooth

We're having a Ceilidh! Which is not everyone's cup of tea, but I have never been to one where someone said 'this is rubbish' and didn't join in at least one of the dances.

I think if you can afford a band, it's the way forward.

Hi.

We booked a band, they were the band we always went to see when we were first dating. Anyway, 6 months down the line, they had line up issues and are now playing as a duo with a limited set - so we cancelled them.

We have now gone for a DJ, one who does a bit more than your normal DJ. Cost wise, we are spending the same; but the DJ will be more interactive (you put in your requests prior to the big day via a website) and play things everyone will like not just us! Also, we are more confident now that we wont be let down etc....

So with hind-sight we think we made the right choice....

We are having a band but mainly because my OH is a musician and hates the idea of a DJ. They are costly (we are paying £1k for ours to come from Brighton to the Midlands) but OH has played with them and therefore know they are worth it. I left the music in his hands to be honest.

I think it's what you feel would create more of an atmosphere and get people dancing.

I love the idea of a photo booth too but you can do this yourself, if you have a camera and some props which is what we are going to do. Just get some props and set up a white sheet for people to stand in front of.

I'd choose a band over a DJ any day of the week. I have never seen an empty dancefloor when there's been a band and the atmosphere is usually something else. Personally I think they're worth paying a bit extra for if finances allow and would gladly compromise on having extras such as photobooths in order to have a great band. But everyones priorities are different and everyones guests will respond differently to different things. Best to go with what you think your guests will appreciate most.

I definitely wanted a band for our wedding. I actually came across the guys we booked on a night out with friends. They had the whole bar dancing and did covers from differentgenres which I loved. I had a quick chat with the bass player during their break and found out that they did weddings so booked them a few days later.

They worked out to be a lot cheaper than some DJs based in London and they are also sorting the music between their two sets.

x

Personally, I would pick a band over a photo booth. But then we do love music and are being a bit greedy and having a band and a DJ!

Bands are lovely. I did go to a wedding last year though where the band were playing during the wedding breakfast. It was far too loud, couldn't even hear the person next to me speaking, we were all shouting in each others ears. It was awful x

Hi,

A band at a wedding is a great way for you and your guests to party.......and we would always say yay!

Interesting post from MrsB88...I would definitely advise having a full band play during the wedding breakfast. An acoustic guitar, string quartet or jazz trio work great but most people want to eat, drink and chat. Then party later!

James

Not a band fan myself- i like to hear songs as i know them, not interpreted by someone else- and i must admit when my aunt and uncle had a band at their anniversary party i didn't dance at all BUT i'm not you or your guests. you should go with what ever YOU want it's all well and good trying to please guests but at the end of the day it's your wedding and if a band would make you happier than a photobooth it's a total no-brainer x

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This for me too. I've been to weddings with bands and I find I dance less. That's just me, I know loads of people love bands.

We did have a photobooth and it was fab! We got some amazing pics

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Snap! I also think a ceilidh is very good way at getting people going - although our wedding is in England some Scottish things are definately a must - I've never been to a Scottish wedding without one!

Yes to a band from me but only a decent one that you have heard and will get people up dancing. Not keen on pretentious bands. DJs can be fab though admittedly.

If there's a band you like and can afford then why not?

For me personally, I wouldn't choose a band. I couldn't justify the expense and like pp prefer the music how I know it, not someone's interpretation. Everyone's priorities are different though aren't they?

I personally wouldnt want a band at my wedding and I am hoping to have a photobooth. I wouldnt really want to listen to the same voice all night and spend a fortune on someone in the hope that they can sing well live. I think its good to have variety in music with different sounds and voices.

Im only 23 though so am going for quite a clubby, fun vibe. hence why I would rather the photobooth. comeplely depends on what you want the feel of your wedding to be

good luck

I think you get amazing and awful bands and DJs.

I've been to weddings where the DJ insisted on playing Motown all evening to a young audience who clearly were not into it and DJs that never have the Dancefloor empty.

Live music does often give an amazing atmosphere and guests can watch as well as listen. I have experienced it tho where the Dancefloor empties after every set (despite a playlist inbetween) and makes the night feel a bitty.

A good band or DJ will read you guests and react accordingly so everyone's having a good time.

It's best to think what YOU and ur other half would most enjoy to listen to and then pick a good one! That's if your budget and venue suits both.

We were unsure so went for an acoustic singer in the afternoon with a DJ at night. I know our guests won't let us down either way and we'll have a packed Dancefloor no matter what as all our friends are quite lively! X

We've gone for a band at the reception - not a croony wedding band though. We had one recommended to us by a friend who works at Hard Rock Cafe, so we went to watch them and booked them the day after. They were brilliant, mixing different songs together and playing according to how the audience reacted, You could tell that they were enjoying themselves too - not just another day at the office. We're big into live music - we got engaged at a gig, so a band was important to us and it's the bit I'm most excited for! It's cost us £600 for a 3-piece (guitarist & vocals, drums and bass). Photobooths are fun, but I'd be worried that people were spending all evening at it so it wasn't for us.

We're having a band and I'd say definitely go for it if your budget allows. They are expensive but I think it'll be so worth it for the atmosphere live music brings.

Not a band - by the evening people are so tired / squiffy that the novelty will have worn off very quickly!

I've got live music during the day, including in the ceremony, which I think is much more important. A fabulous musician called Simon Jordan who can play two instruments - he has FaceTimed me already with the music I chose.

Without a doubt I would go for a band every time. .. live music creates such an amazing atmosphere and I've never been to an event with a band when the dance floor was empty ...I've been to loads with a DO where it has mostly been empty unless the DO is cajoling people into the dance floor ...which I find cheesy ...

If the choice would be photo booth or bands, i'd choose the photo booth because it's something that can be kept for a long time and guests would quite enjoy. Plus you get to see all the pictures anytime you want

I looked at bands when I got married, and they definitely create an amazing atmosphere, and something that's quite memorable (and live music sounds amazing too).

When I researched, I found a few things:

- A band is quite expensive. You are paying for 3/4 people, so the cost goes up.

- You really do get what you pay for. A decent band does cost, and for the full effect, it's worth getting the full band, rather than just a signer singing to a backing tape.

- A band tends to play quite short sets - therefore it's like you'll also need a DJ to fill in the gaps before, between and after sets, otherwise you can quickly lose the atmosphere once the band is finished.

Again, it all comes down to what you want the reception to do - and do you have a suitable location for a band to perform from within your reception room?

I've always said that I want a live band. We went to a wedding a couple of years ago and it just brightened the atmosphere more than I have ever seen a DJ do (at a wedding at least!). I've found earcandy, who have bands that come with DJs for the inbetween/end of the sets. It again all depends on budget and priorities

I'd also choose a band over a photo booth, probably slightly biased tho cus that's what we've done! (Plus I think I'm the only person around who just doesn't quite 'get' photobooths, I dunno, I guess strictly that's not quite right, I do get the point, I know you can get some fun photos n all that, it's just not for me) we thought for ours, a band just gives a better sense of atmosphere, tho ours are also providing a DJ service for between sets so I guess it's kinda the best of both worlds, but it wouldn't be a choice for me, band over photobooths every time, plus, and I don't know, never used one, surely when you've had your few minutes funny photo taken that's it? It's not gonna entertain you all evening like music would?

Cards on the table - as a live band, we would obviously say YES!

A photobooth can be great IF it's set up in an area where guests can see and easily access it, and IF the person supplying the photobooth is in attendance for the duration of the whole evening to assist your guests.

But a photobooth isn't ever going to be more than a sideshow. If finances do permit, then a DJ or live band will be the main feature of your evening. Trubute bands (eg. Beatles, ABBA) are some peoples' idea of a nightmare but can be very entertaining. They CAN also be ridiculously expensive.

Professional bands can either be very expensive or very reasonable. They are also usually 100% reliable - if they don't turn up, they lose their only form of income.

Amateur bands can be cheaper some but have a tendency to be unreliable, look shoddy and are too bloody loud!

DJs cover all bases and are usually more affordable than bands. Just make sure you hire one who doesn't talk all over the music in that special voice some of them have.

I know some brides / grooms are saying they paid £1000 or more for a professional live band. You don't have to.

A band is the best idea!!!

I'm being kind of greedy and having all of the above haha.

We're making our own photo booth by taking a few funny backgrounds with us, some props from poundland and an old digital camera with a memory card in. We're setting up a chalkboard to say "Photo's here" and leaving people to do their own and then we can sort them ourselves afterwards.

We're also having a DJ and a band.

Professional DJ who can play a mix of stuff for everyone's tastes not just ours starting earlier on and then after the bands finished as well.

Local rock band. They're only young and currently just do little gigs on open nights in pubs but they're ace and we've really enjoyed them when we've seen them at rock nights. They're only charging petrol money and are just happy to get a paid gig. We've said we'll give them a little extra as well. They're only playing for 40 minutes but we're happy with this and it's all original stuff.

The band is very 'Us' and the DJ is basically just so that everyone else gets to have some fun before we turn things around later on and have OUR perfect evening.

We were going to have a rock covers band as my partner is a rock fan but decided against it due to them being too loud,the possibility of them not appealing to a lot of our guests,and also cause of the hassle of them setting up,sound checking etc.Think bands are good for summer weddings where they can play outside and the sounds doesn't take over the whole room.We still really want live music thiough,so have booked a singer/guitar player who we saw at a wedding show.He is quite Ed Sheeran-like (I LOVE ed sheeran!) and really talented...he was actually on the voice a couple of years ago.He is good value as he does a whole night of singing and guitar then Dj-ing too for £700 where's the rock band has we decided to have them and the in house DJ would have come to £950 xx

Oh and we are also having a photo booth...we saw one by Mr EVENTS at a local wedding show,they let us test it out and photos look very good quality and like the idea of the pictures being put in a guest book with messages.Think it will be very popular entertainment,and the photos are a good lasting memory when the food,music,flowers etc are gone xx

We were going to have a rock covers band as my partner is a rock fan but decided against it due to them being too loud,the possibility of them not appealing to a lot of our guests,and also cause of the hassle of them setting up,sound checking etc.Think bands are good for summer weddings where they can play outside and the sounds doesn't take over the whole room.We still really want live music thiough,so have booked a singer/guitar player who we saw at a wedding show.He is quite Ed Sheeran-like (I LOVE ed sheeran!) and really talented...he was actually on the voice a couple of years ago.He is good value as he does a whole night of singing and guitar then Dj-ing too for £700 where's the rock band has we decided to have them and the in house DJ would have come to £950 xx

Oh and we are also having a photo booth...we saw one by Mr EVENTS at a local wedding show,they let us test it out and photos look very good quality and like the idea of the pictures being put in a guest book with messages.Think it will be very popular entertainment,and the photos are a good lasting memory when the food,music,flowers etc are gone xx

Hi everyone, hope it's OK to chime in with this but just looking for some opinions on a business I'm starting up...

Basically it's a service that would provide you with mixed music playlists for your wedding day - all songs (or just genres) chosen by you before the day.

It's a cheaper alternative to a DJ and allows you to choose exactly which songs you'd like. You could also email all your guests before the day and get requests. All songs would then be carefully ordered and mixed. The package would include 3 playlists: Drinks Reception (1-2hours). Dinner (2-3hours). And Disco (4-5hours).

I did this for my own wedding so thought I'd see if there was a market for it! It went down really well at mine.

There would be the option of hiring professional speakers along with the playlists, if your venue doesn't have any. I would also be there on the day to control all the playlists etc.

The main difference between this and just hiring a DJ, I think are:
- You get music all day (professionally mixed)
- You get to choose the songs (or just genres/some of the songs)
- Cheaper

Any opinions would be great, thank you!

Hi,

An interesting concept WeddingVideograph

Our of interest, how would you be able to provide the service "cheaper".

As far as I can see, you still have to provide the same quality of equipment (sound and light), as well as being there in person all day. You would have the same insurance and license requirements as a DJ, and if anything, you would be spending more time in advance of the wedding planning it, so sounds like it's more time consuming.

So how does it work out cheaper? What sort of pricing did you have in mind.

Also, what happens if the music selected needs to be changed at any point (if it's not working for example?). Can you amend the playlist during it? Clearly that is the biggest benefit of a DJ, that you have someone who can read the crowd and react musically to the requirements at that time.

Finally, would you be making announcements, such as to introduce the first dance - otherwise, how would that be handled?

Hi,

it sounds like a good idea to me. DJs reading this will probably say things like, "you can't change the music", "you will need DJ equipment" or "a DJ will be able to read the crowd". And of course they're going to be worried about losing work.

DJs can be great if they do read the crowd and have decent equipment. Just like all wedding entertainment, some do, some don't.

But if you clearly set out what your service does - ie. you provide several playlists for different types of audience, allowing clients to change the music themselves, then I think it will work really well. It's just like a modern version of a jukebox - and we all know how popular they used to be!

If you invest in a decent console and a massive song bank which allows guests to interactively choose music, there's a chance it will be quite popular. I've seen many a guest trying to change the music when the DJ goes off to the buffet or to relieve themselves, so why not let them choose the music themselves?

Go for it!