Band versus DJ? DJ versus DIY wedding reception music? It’s one of the first decisions every couple must make when planning their wedding reception.  We’ve broken down the pros and cons of bands versus DJ’s before, but now we’re delving into the specific advantages of hiring a wedding DJ for your big day; specifically, a professional wedding DJ, because there is a difference—a difference that can impact the quality of your wedding reception.

Personalization

Because they are not confined to a certain genre of music, a DJ can personalize your wedding music to your specific tastes (and your pet peeves)—and your guests’ tastes too.  A DJ can honor any requests from your guests, from your uncle’s love of the classics to your friends’ more modern tastes.

Dinner music

Many DJ’s provide complementary dinner music as part of their services, giving your wedding dinner a special ambiance—and one less thing for you to worry about on your already-busy big day.

Emcee

A DJ is a built-in emcee for your evening; a coordinator that can work with your venue and vendors to make sure your evening runs exactly as planned.  A good professional DJ can make sure your videographer or photographer (or both) are in the right spot for special moments such as your first dance or a father-daughter dance.

Budget

If your wedding budget is a consideration—or if you want the best “bang for your buck”—a DJ checks off all the boxes.  Not only is a DJ less expensive than a band, a DJ typically performs longer (such as during dinner) and includes more extras in their dinner package, such as lighting, a photo booth, etc.

Back-ups

We’ve all heard the wedding nightmare stories when a vital piece of equipment breaks or someone can’t come or… If you hire a professional wedding DJ, you not only get an experienced DJ but the reassurance that two of those scenarios won’t happen at your wedding (at least when it comes to your reception entertainment).  Professional DJ companies not only have excellent equipment, but quality back-up equipment and another experienced DJ for those “just in case” emergency situations.

Extras

Most DJs offer a package with bonus entertainment options (contact your preferred DJ for information about their specific packages): extra lighting, an enhanced sound system, photo booth—all the extras you need to put your wedding reception over the top.