Choosing between a wedding band vs a DJ is a big decision – both can create an amazing atmosphere for your special day, but they have their own pros and cons.
Here at Encore Musicians, we help thousands of couples each year plan their wedding entertainment so as the experts we’ve created this handy guide below to help you choose what’s best for you and your big day.
Pros of wedding bands vs DJs
Wedding Bands
- Live music energy: There’s nothing quite like the raw energy and emotion of a live band. They can add passion and personality to every song, making your wedding day feel truly special.
- Versatility: Many bands can play a wide range of genres, so you can cater to the tastes of all your guests. Most of our bands even offer to learn special requests for your first dance or other important moments so you can hear your favourite songs live.
- Crowd interaction: Our wedding bands know how to read a room and adjust their setlist to keep the party flowing. Get ready for singalongs, impromptu dance-offs, and a truly interactive experience.
- Visual Appeal: Watching musicians perform live can add a visual element to the entertainment, adding to the atmosphere.
DJs
- Unmatched Versatility: DJs boast a near-infinite library of music. From classic throwbacks to current chart-toppers, from smooth jazz to high-energy EDM, they can cater to any musical taste and keep the dance floor packed all night long. No matter your guests’ preferences, your DJ can craft a seamless playlist that keeps everyone in the groove.
- Non-stop music: No breaks, no lulls, just good tunes all night long. DJs seamlessly mix and transition between songs, ensuring the music never dies and the dance floor never empties.
- Cost: Hiring a wedding DJ often costs a lot less than live bands.
- Space requirements: DJs usually take a lot less space than a band (depending on the number of members).
Cons of wedding bands vs DJs
Wedding Bands
- Cost: Wedding bands are typically more expensive than DJs.
- Less song selection: Bands have a more limited repertoire of songs, so you may not be able to get all of the songs you want on your setlist.
- Breaks: Bands need to take breaks throughout the night, so there may be some lulls in the music. A lot of Encore’s bands, however, offer a DJ service for these breaks, so there will always be a continuous flow of music.
DJs
- Lack of live energy: While some DJs can create a similar vibe to a live band, it’s not quite the same experience.
- Reliance on technology: DJs rely on technology, so there’s always the risk of something going wrong.
- Potential Predictability: While DJs offer vast music libraries, some setlists can feel formulaic or rely on popular wedding staples. If you crave a unique and unexpected performance, a band might be a better fit for providing spontaneous moments and personalised touches.
How much is a wedding band vs a DJ
The cost of a wedding band vs a wedding DJ varies massively depending on your venue location, the number of band members, the experience of the musicians and time of year (with peak seasons such as summer for weddings being the most expensive).
However as a rough estimate, please see below an average of a wedding band and DJ based on 2-hour performance (with a 15-20 minute break in between for the band).
- Wedding band (4-piece) – £1,300
- DJ – £400
How to decide between a live band or DJ for your wedding?
Choosing between wedding bands vs wedding DJs can be a tough decision. Both options offer distinct advantages and disadvantages, and the best one for you will depend on your priorities and desired wedding atmosphere.
Consider your priorities to help you decide:
- Budget: Wedding bands are typically more expensive than DJs due to their personnel and equipment needs. Decide on a budget range and compare quotes from potential bands and DJs.
- Musical preferences: Do you envision a high-energy dance party with diverse music choices or a more intimate setting with live renditions of meaningful songs? Consider your and your guests’ musical tastes.
- Atmosphere: Do you want a vibrant, interactive experience with a live band or a seamless flow of music controlled by a DJ? Think about the mood you want to create and how the wedding entertainment will contribute to it.
- Venue limitations: Does your venue have space constraints for a band’s equipment, or sound regulations that might restrict volume levels? Ensure you understand the venue’s requirements before making a decision.
Additional tips:
- Get in touch with multiple options: Get a feel for their personalities, style, and compatibility with your vision.
- Read reviews and check references: On all your musicians’ profiles, you can reviews which will attest to their professionalism and videos of their live performances to get a feel for their stage presence.
- Communicate your expectations clearly: Discuss desired music genres, song requests, and setlists beforehand to avoid any disappointment.
Encore’s top wedding bands and DJs
To help you decide, we’ve compiled our best bands vs DJs for weddings.
Wedding Bands
The Weekend Grooves
Whether it’s a wedding, a private party, or a corporate event, The Weekend Grooves creates an electrifying ambience. Known for their diverse repertoire that spans various genres, this versatile group caters to a diverse mix of guests to ensure all events are dynamic and memorable.
The Weekend Grooves have performed at some of the most prestigious venues, including The Natural History Museum, The Shard, and the iconic Cutty Sark, and have previously served clients such as Warner Brothers and Rolls Royce. The band’s experience in such high-profile events is a testament to their commitment to delivering the highest quality of entertainment
The Soul Establishment
Soul Establishment is a Soul, Funk, Pop, Rock wedding band that has performed all over the world and brings their vast musical experience to every show. The Soul Establishment is a band that plays a wide range of music genres, including Funk and Jazz. They believe that choosing the right music for an event is crucial and tailor their set accordingly. They can play any song and are willing to arrange music that is not in their repertoire.
Eccentric Pony
A professional group of musicians, Eccentric Pony tailors their performance to meet the needs of every event. With a huge repertoire to choose from and all bookings including a suitable PA system, lighting rig and recorded music between live sets, Eccentric Pony has got you covered for an unforgettable wedding reception.
The Covered
Listed as Best Wedding Band by the UK Enterprise Awards, The Covered are an award-winning wedding band that plays floor-filling pop, rock, soul, and funk classics from throughout the decades. With dozens of wedding performances under their belt, you can be sure that your guests will be dancing to the classics from across the decades when The Covered perform at your wedding!
Upbeat Street
Upbeat Street is a high-energy wedding band that has played thousands of events across Europe. With male and female vocalists and a wide range of musical backgrounds, they offer an extensive repertoire of classic and modern dance floor hits that will keep your guests dancing all night. Expect funky bass lines, irresistible beats, epic guitar solos, and high-quality vocals. Book Upbeat Street for an unforgettable performance at your event.
Central Avenue Band
Central Avenue is a professional band that brings high energy and a lively party atmosphere to any event. With a large repertoire of music, we cater to a wide audience age range. Our performances are always top-quality, and we can provide a 4- to 9-piece band or the Central Avenue Acoustic Duo for a more relaxed atmosphere. We also offer a Pro DJ to keep the party going.
DJs
Atmospheric Audio
Steve (Atmospheric Audio) is an experienced DJ with a diverse background in music. He provides quality music tailored to your specific tastes for your wedding celebration. Steve has successfully delivered hundreds of events and offers a fully customized DJ set for the evening, including song suggestions, well-known classics, and live requests. He also provides a star-light DJ booth, complimentary uplighters, confetti cannons, and smoke machines to add something special to your celebration.
DJ Andrew Marston
DJ Andrew Marston has spent more than half of his life behind the record decks and is the longest-serving new music presenter at the BBC. Andrew’s also hosted takeovers on BBC Radio 1’s In New Music We Trust, LakeFest at Eastnor Castle on BBC 6 Music as well as multiple broadcasts from the Hay Festival. He also performs with top-of-the-range gear such as his festival-grade speakers that come with built-in feedback eliminators and anti-distortion limiters so the sound is crystal clear no matter how loud or quiet you like it.
Lindy Layton
London’s finest multi-genre DJ, Lindy Layton, has toured with Moby, Fatboy Slim, Chemical Brothers and many more. From festivals to the finest events on the planet, Lindy has continuously collected music across all genres and explored every aspect of dance music with a passion. She fills dance floors, providing the perfect soundtrack for nights that will be remembered forever. With her extensive knowledge of music and willingness to work with new ideas, Lindy is a great choice for your bid day.
Ben Prescott
With his passionate and unforgettable performances, Ben Prescott will have your guests dancing all night long. Ben is a young yet professional DJ with nearly ten years of experience. His ability to fill a dance floor & create the perfect party atmosphere for any type of event is impressive. As the winner of the prestigious Hitched UK Wedding Awards in 2023, you can be sure that Ben Prescott will provide you with an outstanding service for your wedding.
DJ Wayne Smooth
DJ Wayne Smooth has been a part of the music industry for more than 30 years, specializing in R&B, Hip Hop, Club Classics, Reggae, Ol Skool Classics and Popular music. He has been an avid and passionate collector of records since the age of 5. Throughout his career, he has hosted prime-time radio shows on several local community radio stations in London until his late 20s.
DJ Wayne Smooth is a professional and fun personality who can interact with and entertain a wide range of people. He also has an impressive past portfolio of clientele including but not limited to, the Four Seasons, Twitter, Telegraph and Santander.
Lixxy
Lixxy is an exciting DJ based in London, UK. Through her sets, Lixxy explores a variety of genres including Pop, RnB, Electronic, House, Garage, Hip Hop, and World music. Furthermore, she has extensive experience mixing pop classics with club classics freshly and excitingly for private events.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your wedding budget, your musical preferences, and the overall vibe you want for your wedding. If you’re looking for a unique and memorable experience with a live music touch, a band may be the way to go. If you’re on a budget or want more flexibility with your music choices, a DJ may be a better option.
No matter which you choose, make sure you hire a professional who is experienced and has a good reputation. Read reviews, meet with a few different DJs or bands before making your final decision, and if stuck, you can always reach out to one of our experts who can give you personalised advice.
Feeling inspired? Check out our collection of talented wedding bands, DJs, and other wedding musicians.