DJ Versus Live Music for my Wedding

Now that we’ve added a DJ option for weddings and events in the Sarasota, FL area, I wanted to take a few minutes and hit on some key points to consider when looking for wedding entertainment. Specifically, I want to get into the wedding disc jockey versus wedding band argument. Of course, for many, it’s not really an argument at all…it’s simply a matter of the entertainment budget. We know that weddings aren’t cheap…with the average cost typically coming in at over $30,000 in the year 2014, according to a survey by The Knot, and touched upon by this article in the Huffington Post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/13/average-cost-of-wedding-2014_n_6864860.html

As a musician, I hesitate to push people toward a DJ option without first considering a live band for the reception. But, if you’re spending a reasonable amount on the wedding venue, food, flowers and other stuff, and still coming up short on funds, a DJ might end up being your best, and only, realistic entertainment option for the reception.  That said, there’s no reason to be disappointed by this choice…just read on to find out why!

While there are great wedding bands in Sarasota, Tampa, Naples, Orlando and Ft. Myers, FL, a lot of the newer pop music that is preferred for wedding receptions can be difficult to replicate live. Even some of the best local wedding and event bands will, unfortunately, be using tracks to produce this music, which is somewhat disappointing. In a sense, this new generation of popular music is like processed food. It sounds great, but requires an extensive ingredient list concocted in a studio…and may be bad for your health as well…LOL.  Seriously, though….if you’re paying thousands of dollars for one of the best wedding bands in central Florida, you don’t really want mediocre tracks running behind them…it’s kinda like really expensive karaoke with a few good wedding singers (if you’re lucky).  And if the band doesn’t play with tracks, it better be at least 10 musicians strong, with multiple synthesizers and racks of effects, or it won’t sound anything like that new Calvin Harris, Chainsmokers, Jason Derulo, or Bruno Mars track you’ve been listening to non-stop!  Having a (good) DJ at your wedding means that you will have the original songs playing…songs that cost tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars or more  to produce, in the best studios in the world, playing for your listening pleasure.

Another consideration is the fact that disc jockeys can play many, many more songs for your wedding reception.  It’s not uncommon for the typical DJ to have thousands of the best wedding reception and party songs in their collection, with thousands more available via streaming if they have Wi-Fi at the wedding venue. No local band can compete with that.  In fact, you probably won’t find a wedding band anywhere in Florida or beyond able to offer this type of capability for fulfilling special music requests.

Now, before I go too much further, and get my fellow musicians mad at me (especially those that play wedding ceremonies, cocktails and receptions), it’s important to state that there’s something special about having a live band play for your wedding, too. This is especially true if you’ve hired great and talented musicians here in Florida. It’s visually dramatic, interactive, and adds a special touch to the reception. This is part of the reason we offer a “live music” DJ option here at David Turner Music.  Booking this package for your wedding event ensures that your guests will still get a unique Florida wedding experience, at a fraction of the cost of completely live entertainment.

With overall wedding budget being a huge factor in the band versus DJ argument, it’s important that we briefly touch upon this more obvious consideration.  While a DJ will certainly reduce your wedding entertainment costs, I definitely don’t recommend you look for the cheapest disc jockey you can find.  Believe it or not, a good DJ is a very talented guy or gal. At minimum, if they aren’t formally trained in music, they will have spent a lot of time learning to mix songs in a manner that will sound smooth and appropriate.  They’re tech-savvy, using expensive equipment, and tend to have good rhythm, and know a lot of songs that will keep people dancing. Expect to pay as much as you would for a one or two piece wedding band, at least in the central Florida area. And, don’t forget, disc jockeys have a lot of money wrapped up in the PA system. So no…your iPod running Pandora through cousin Mike’s Bluetooth beach speaker will not sounds the same…at all! Spend a few extra bucks and enjoy your wedding reception!!

Well, that’s about it for now.  Please stay tuned for more upcoming blog posts from David Turner Music that will give you great wedding planning ideas and advice! We want your Sarasota, FL area wedding to be the best it can be, with the best wedding entertainment available at your budget level! If you’re interested in our services, please feel free to fill out the form on our contact page.

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