44 THE QUEENS COURIER • BRIDAL • JUNE 22, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
fall bridal guide
BAND OR DJ?
What to groove to on the dance fl oor
BY JEANELLE D. HORCASITAS
Everyone can agree that the best part
of a wedding is all of the celebrating and
partying that happens at the reception.
Th ese days, brides and grooms and even
entire wedding parties oft en make quite
a show of fi rst dances. Whether it’s a slow
waltz that speeds up into a hip-hop routine
or a 10-minute dance-off between the
groom and his groomsmen, there have
been plenty of videos surfacing on the
internet. What all of them have in common
is music. What sounds better? Th e
digitized beats of a DJ or the strumming
of a real guitar from a live band?
Make It Live
A live band can be a great addition to
a wedding party. Bands carry an aura
of exclusivity; the feeling of having your
own private concert will make the day
even more memorable. Th ere are plenty
of bands that perform all types of musical
genres, from ‘80s covers to reggae to
rock and roll. Additionally, bands can perform
cover songs at the request of the
wedding attendees or newly wedded couple.
Th is can mix up the set list and provide
some musical enjoyment for everyone.
Unfortunately, hiring a band can
be quite costly. In fact, according to Th e
Knot and WeddingChannel.com’s annual
Real Weddings Study, the average cost for
a band at a wedding reception is $3,084.
Th erefore, choosing a live band to perform
at your wedding may be a deal breaker
when it comes to budgeting and costs.
But this does not mean it is impossible! If
you and your partner are open to the idea,
check out local bands or ask friends and
family if they know of a group interested
in performing. You can hold an audition
or see if they’re playing somewhere nearby,
and if you like them, ask if they are willing
to negotiate. Although this may take a bit
more research and work, it could save on
costs and you can have the live band you
always dreamed of at your wedding.
Go DJ, That’s My DJ
One of the top choices for wedding
reception entertainment is a DJ. If you
choose the right one, they’ll know how
to spice up the party with some amazing
mixes. Th e best part is that you and
your partner can submit a list of songs
that you specifi cally want played at your
wedding. Another plus to hiring a DJ
for your wedding is the cost. Compared
to the cost of a live band, hiring a DJ is
extremely aff ordable. Th e Real Wedding
Study reports that the average cost for a
DJ is $988. Th erefore, if you’re looking
for entertainment that won’t break the
bank, hiring a DJ is the perfect solution.
Moreover, fi nding a DJ has never been
easier. Th ere are plenty of people, young
and old, who perform at parties, nightclubs,
restaurants and even gyms. Similar
to choosing a live band, fi nding a DJ will
require a bit of research. Many DJs have
pages on websites like SoundCloud where
they share their mixes and you can listen
instantaneously. So if you like what you
hear, you can make the decision right then
and there. Whether you’re looking to play
some Top 40, jazz, techno or hip-hop, a DJ
will deliver and keep your guests dancing
all night long.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can try
to incorporate both a DJ and live band.
However, having both will raise the price.
Overall, the choice is entirely up to you
and your partner. Whether you enjoy the
sounds of live instruments or the digital
sounds of a mixer board – they both can
bring the party to your special day.
Courtesy Creators.com