Event Music - To DJ or To Band?

In our continued series of learning how to create a great wedding (or any event, for that matter), let's cover the music for your big day. There's pretty much two options out there. Ok, three. Option one: hire a DJ. Option two: hire a band. Option three: hire both.

Now, not everyone's budget has the room for the last option; it's usually one or the other. So let's cover some of the basics!

First- what's the difference? Yes, one is a band and one's a DJ, but there's more to it than that. For example: a DJ can play you just about any song you want, especially if you give them an advance list of music you want played (which you should always do). With a band (and by this term, I'm covering all forms of live musicians) you're limited to what they know. You can request something and most groups will learn the song for you, but expect some sort of additional charge. With a band, you get the great energy that only live music can provide, which a DJ can't give (unless they're talking a lot, which is a different type of service called an "MC", or "Event Host").

If you're really torn between the two genres, go check some perspective people out. Find a couple bands, and a couple DJ's, and go to public events they're playing (please don't crash someone else's wedding). Once you've made your choice on the big "to band" or "to DJ", you've got to make sure you're getting a reliable service. If you've never heard the group or person before don't gamble on it: check them out! Again, go to a public event, or ask for a sample CD. If you're looking for a great deal on live music, check in with your local music school - students are always looking for money! And ask them to perform for you as an audition. Don't feel guilty about asking live musicians to audition, it's a very practical part of the business.

So you know who you'd like to hire, let's get to the details. The questions you want to ask the person (or group) you're hiring are pretty much the same for bands and DJ's. Are they available? How long have they been performing/been a DJ?How many hours of music are included? If they require a sound system can they provide their own? Do you have liability insurance? Do I need to provide you with food? (A hungry musician is a grouchy musician) Can you help us create a custom playlist? How much setup/breakdown time do you need? Do you take requests? Can you play our special song?

And get a copy of their contract - read it before you put any money down! Make sure there's no hidden fees, that every penny is broken down. The contract also needs to cover what they are going to wear at your wedding - don't set yourself up for purple velvet! Get two references from other wedding clients that you can call.

Once you've got your music decided, deposited, signed, get their contact information: cell phone for your on-location contact (the DJ or band leader), and someone in their office as a backup. Give all this info to your wedding planner to keep on themselves for the big day.

And that's it! Easy! To give you a little inspiration, here's some great pictures of my favorite music professionals in Seattle!



Clockwise from top left: Event Source NW, Al Vento Music, Seattle Chamber Brass, Disco Royale (DJ), Stanley Greenthal, Windstring.

Happy planning,
Rebekah Ross
Weddings and Events

In Love with Pachelbel

Another "bet you didn't know about me": I'm a classical clarinetist and oboist. So when I heard today's theme is classical music, dude - heaven.


The first step was deciding what to focus on specifically, as classical music spans hundreds of composers, thousands of works, and a big batch of years. But my favorite classical music piece in regards to weddings is Pachelbel's Cannon as a wedding march. Uh! If you've never heard it, here's a link to an orchestral version.


My second step, was finding the perfect venue. What better than the home of the Seattle Symphony - Benaroya Hall - the crown jewel of Seattle's classical music scene. You can easily have an incredible wedding at Benaroya, as they've had lots of experience, and offer great wedding packages. The two photos on my polyvore of Benaroya weddings have the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium for the ceremony - the room with the huge organ pipes - and the grand lobby for the reception - a beautiful venue with it's sweeping ceiling and massive windows. With the exclusive caterer being Wolfgang Puck, you've got one hell of a setting.


The dress and invitation I chose because they very quickly reminded me of the treble clef. The gown is a Vera Wang, the invitations, also reminding me of parchment sheet music, by 1st Class Invitations.


For the bride's jewelry, pears strung on ribbon -the classical style, the original style, that jewelry was strung. Going back to Pachelbel, I threw in the sheet music, and what's with the wind chime? Did you know, you can get wind chimes in the key of the notes of your choice of classical music? What a great wedding favor to attendants than the wind chime in the key of Pachelbel's Cannon.


For the reception table, check out the cute music stands I found for place card holders from My Wedding Favors. For a cake topper, if you and your man are classical instrumentalists, how about this fun topper from Magic Mud. And the favor for guests? A CD of you and your partner's favorite classical music, including the processional and recessional and first dance from your wedding.


Speaking of that - for the ceremony, music by the local string and flute trio Windsong. Nice and compact group, very talented, and have a soft sound for your ceremony. For the reception, need something stronger - and if you can't afford Canadian Brass (the best brass band ever), there's a very good Seattle group, Mosaic Brass - they sound just like Canadian Brass but thousands less. I totally want to book them for my own wedding.


So if you're a classical music fan, here's some great ideas!

{Rebekah} Classical Music: In Love with Pachelbel by bekahross