What songs will a wedding band perform?

Professional wedding bands usually have extensive song lists - they're experienced musicians and will cater the songs they play to fit the mood of the wedding reception party and whatever your playlist requirements were. A wedding band's first priority is hitting the right tunes at the right time, getting your guests dancing, and making sure the evening is unforgettable. Unlike a pre-organised Spotify playlist, wedding bands will 'read the room', providing the right musical atmosphere to suit the moment. Make sure you tell the band the song you'd like them to play for the first dance well in advance - they might already know it, but best not to risk it!

When should I get the band to perform?

After the wedding dinner is usually your best bet. The band will normally set-up during dinner, and be ready to start the party when you are. If you're after something low-key, getting the band to play background music is not unheard of, just simply let them know beforehand.

Will the wedding band provide all their own equipment?

Wedding bands will come well-prepared with all their own equipment: lights, PA system, music gear, and sometimes even a sound assistant! To give them a break between their sets, they will also often provide a DJ service, which will keep the guests happy and the dancefloor moving and grooving.

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Additional services

Just how fabulous do you want your party to be? A professional DJ service can transform your affair from conference-room drab to spectacular nightclub vibe with their cool props and toys. In addition to spinning music, many full-service DJ companies offer a range of add-ons. For indoor and outdoor events, you can often choose from a selection of lighting packages. Lighting can include uplighting for the dance floor or a full-scale disco-spotlight and strobe-light extravaganza. Many pro DJs have packages that include temporary dance floors for indoor or outdoor events. Some even have mirrored dance floors.

Other fun DJ add-ons include smoke machines, bubble machines, staging, microphones and more. Of course, all of these services add to the overall cost. For example, a Pennsylvania-based company charges $400 for playing at a 4-hour event with their standard DJ services ($100 for each additional hour). This price includes music, sound, event coordination beforehand, announcements during the event, and a simple lighting setup. To upgrade to a midrange package that includes a subwoofer sound system, a rotating light system and two laser lights, the cost increases to $650 for up to 4 hours ($150 for each additional hour). To upgrade from the midrange package to a premium package to include a UV cannon light and LED UV par can lights, the cost increases to $800 for up to 4 hours of service ($200 for each additional hour).

Travel

Depending on where your party is located, you may have to pay more. Travel to and from the event site can result in travel fees, increasing the total cost of services. DJ travel fees account for the added time it takes to get to you. Travel fees can vary depending on how the account for mileage, time spent in traffic, toll bridges, and parking fees. DJs may have a standard service area, outside of which you pay an additional cost per mile. For example, everything within a 25-mile radius is free of charge, and anything beyond that is an extra 50 cents per mile.

How to hire a DJ

Hiring a DJ is all about preparing to have fun. Start by reading customer reviews to get an idea of how long they have been in business and whether their other clients are satisfied. Look for someone who is professional and puts on a great show. Verify that the pro has the appropriate business licensing and that they hold liability insurance. Discuss pricing with the pro and be sure to get everything in writing. Have a contract that outlines date and exact hours of service, including what time they will arrive for setup and when they will be ready to perform. Clarify what will happen in case of emergency if the DJ gets sick or if they have an equipment failure. A little bit of planning makes for a smooth party.

Cost-saving strategies

Putting on an event is not only a lot of work, it can be kind of expensive. Fortunately there are ways to get professional DJ services without blowing your budget. Ask if the DJ you want to hire has reduced rates for off-season or slower days of the week. Friday and Saturday nights are usually the hottest nights to hire a DJ and require the highest rates; if you can host a party on a Thursday or a Sunday, you may be able to negotiate lower costs. Vendor services are also in high demand on holidays, so if you’re hosting a holiday party, consider hosting it a week before or after the official day. He says many companies, his included, provide deals for service members. Many vendors, including DJs, also offer discounted rates to seniors.