When picking out your music for the reception, keep in mind that the type of music you choose will set the tone of the wedding and should work with the overall theme. In addition, most people often remember the music so think about what musical genre reflects your personalities and creates the atmosphere you are trying to achieve. The ambience is affected by whether the music is delivered by a DJ or a live band and the choice between these two will probably also affect the type of music you choose. So put a lot of thought into what you want your reception to be like and the type of music you want to hear before selecting between a band and a DJ.

When selecting either a band or a DJ, make sure they will play a large variety of tunes that will encourage different sets of guests to groove the night away. They should play old and new songs along with slow and fast songs to appeal to different groups and mix up the music.

If you are like most couples and working off a budget, it is important to know that DJs cost less, but the prices vary based on the day of the week and any equipment requests you make. A live band will typically be more expensive than a DJ (but a celebrity DJ can be just as expensive as a band) and the band prices will vary across a wide range based on the number of musicians they have, the length of their playing time, the day of the week and the time of year.

Before you book a large band, you need to find out if the reception site has any restrictions on the number of musicians you can have or the pieces of equipment they can use. It is also important to inquire whether there are noise or power supply limitations that could hinder your dream band’s ability to perform. Talk to the reception site manager about any possible restrictions or limitations before you begin scouting bands.