The entertainment you choose for your wedding reception will greatly influence the flavor of the party. Do you envision a traditional wedding, complete with a family bridal gown and pearl necklace, where the music played might be more familiar to your parents than your friends (think Sinatra, Cole Porter)? Or maybe your idea of the perfect reception is one where the bride wears a short sequined party dress and the action on the dance floor is non-stop until the break of dawn. Before booking your wedding music, learn about the pros and cons of live musicians and wedding d.j.s.

Most people would agree that a live band is more traditional. If you are having a very formal wedding or if your taste runs to a lace gown, a pearl necklace, and long white gloves, you will most likely find that a live band suits your style. Certainly there is an elegance and a richness of sound created by live performers that recorded music simply cannot match. For ambiance, a live band is the way to go.

There are some cons to wedding bands as well. They generally are more expensive than a d.j. Keep in mind that the larger your reception venue and guest list, the more musicians you will need in your band to create the right sound. You also might find that bands have a more limited repertoire than d.j.s who have a massive library of music available to them. Most bands work in a certain style, which can be great if you want a particular type of music (big band, bluegrass, or so on), but not so great if you like a lot of variety.

The best thing about choosing a d.j. for your wedding reception is that they can really get a great party going. If you want all the latest dance hits for your party, a d.j. is definitely the right answer. A d.j. is also great if you want to hear all sorts of music, from standards to Motown to the current songs on the radio. This can be a great way to make sure that everyone at your wedding will hear music that they like. Couples also like d.j.s because they will play the original version of a song, leaving no room for a poorly done interpretation. Not to mention, the price is right when you compare d.j.s to live musicians.

The chief disadvantage to a wedding d.j. is that the music is not live. There is something special about real musicians playing instruments and the sound that they can create, and that can not be reproduced by recorded music, no matter how good the sound system. Some people also feel that d.j.s are less elegant than bands, and that they do not fit with the vision of their weddings. You also run the risk of a d.j. playing songs you hate, from the Y.M.C.A. to a current hit song with lyrics which are inappropriate for both grandparents and the children at a wedding. If you hire a band which plays music in a particular style, there is little risk of this happening.

In the end, there are pros and cons to both d.j.s and live bands. It is really about imagining what type of party you want to your reception to be, and deciding which form of entertainment can best bring that vision to life. Once you have figured that out, you will be ready to start interviewing bands or d.j.s to find the perfect one for your wedding.

Author Bio: Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry about weddings, style, and society. Treat yourself to a pearl necklace from http://silverlandjewelry.com/ for your wedding. We handcraft jewelry for every taste and budget, and all jewelry orders over $99 receive free shipping.

Category: Marriage
Keywords: pearl necklace, wedding music, wedding band, wedding dj