Wedding Music: DJ vs. Live Performers

Have you been contemplating whether to hire a DJ or live performers for your wedding ceremony? This may or may not be an easy decision depending on a few key factors such as your location and venue, budget, and personal taste. Hopefully the following information will help you to make an informed decision.

You'll first need to decide whether your wedding ceremony will be held indoors or outdoors. If your ceremony is being held outdoors, a few concerns might be: unpredictable weather and ambient noise. If you choose to have your ceremony inside there will be less risk of weather issues and possibly less expensive.
 

DISC JOCKEYS

Let's look at the pros and cons of hiring a DJ for your wedding ceremony.

A DJ can provide the original song or artist you desire to be played instead of a cover. For example, if you want a Celine Dion song to be played at your ceremony, hiring a DJ will allow you to hear Celine Dion singing your favorite song; this applies for basically any artist you request.

A DJ can aid in the shift from ceremony to reception. If your wedding ceremony is inside where the DJ is also set up, the transition from ceremony to reception will flow nicely. The DJ can play the ceremony music, and afterwards as you are finishing pictures, the DJ can begin cocktail music. Another resource a DJ has is the ability to set the mood you wish by easily adjusting the volume of the music to fit the situation.

Price. A DJ will probably cost less than live performers.

Those are the pros. Now, let's look at the cons of using a DJ.

A DJ could unexpectedly have technical difficulties. There are also a few concerns to keep in mind if the DJ is to be set up outside: a tent might be required for overhead shelter; there needs to be an accessible electrical source with enough power; humidity and/or rain do not fair well with the equipment, and the DJ table needs to be kept from sinking into the ground if the ground is damp. Most professional DJs will have a statement in their contract concerning this issue. For example, if the DJ is forced to terminate the performance after commencement due to weather that cannot be protected against, the DJ shall retain the entire performance fee in full.

LIVE PERFORMERS

Now, let's look at the pros and cons of using a live performer for your wedding ceremony.

Your guests may be more attentive if you use a live performer. If using a vocalist, guests are likely to listen to the words. If, let?s say a trio or quartet were working with a vocalist, they could adjust to the vocalist as he or she sings. A live performer has flexibility, and the length of a piece of music can be shortened, lengthened, or adjusted to have a more natural ending. Also, live performers can personalize a song for you: only sing the stanzas you want, add your names to a song, and edit the lyrics for content. If the wedding ceremony is smaller and more intimate, there will be no need for a sound system.

The cons to hiring a live performer might be the following: if the wedding ceremony is in a large church or outdoor area, a sound system will be needed. The biggest drawback is in a large church or outdoor area; a sound system will be needed. You will also need someone to run the sound system. You may have to pay extra to hire someone to run the sound system. In addition, any live performer, for example: trio's, quartet's, harpist, guitarist, will also need good weather if performing outdoors. You will pay more for a professional live performer, but they could add a bit of charm to your special day. Live performances are generally more entertaining, but in some ways more limited than a DJ.

Selecting a DJ or live performer depends on your style, guest list, and location of your wedding ceremony. Whether you choose a DJ or a live performer, you can personalize your ceremony to make your dream day come true!