Plan your wedding entertainment from ceremony music to the last dance, including DJ vs band decisions, must-play lists, equipment needs, and MC coordination.
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DJ vs Band Decision
Compare costs between a DJ and a live band
A professional wedding DJ costs $1,000-$2,500 on average, while a live band ranges from $3,000-$10,000 for a 4-6 piece group. Factor in that bands need more space, power, and break time between sets.
Request quotes from at least 3 DJs or bands
Ask about setup and breakdown time requirements
Attend a live performance or watch full event videos
Promotional reels are heavily edited. Ask to attend an upcoming event or request a 15-20 minute unedited video from a recent wedding to hear true sound quality and see how they read the crowd.
Book entertainment 6-9 months before the wedding
Top-rated DJs and bands book 8-12 months ahead for Saturday dates in peak season. Weekday or Sunday weddings have more availability and often come with a 10-20% discount.
Ceremony Music
Select music for the processional, ceremony, and recessional
You need 3-5 songs: prelude as guests arrive (15-20 minutes), wedding party processional, bride's entrance, any mid-ceremony pieces, and the recessional. Plan timing so songs match the walk length.
Choose prelude music for guest seating (15-20 minutes)
Pick the processional song and time it to the aisle length
Decide between live musicians and recorded music for the ceremony
A solo musician (guitarist, harpist, violinist) costs $200-$500 for a 1-hour ceremony. If using recorded music, test the sound system at the venue beforehand to avoid echo or volume issues.
Coordinate with the officiant on any music cues
Send the officiant your ceremony timeline with exact music cue points at least 2 weeks before. Include a rehearsal run-through so the officiant knows when to pause for musical transitions.
Cocktail Hour and Dinner Music
Plan cocktail hour music (45-60 minutes of background music)
Cocktail hour music should be upbeat but conversational-volume. Give your DJ a genre or playlist direction such as jazz, acoustic, or indie. Avoid heavy bass that competes with guest conversation.
Select dinner music that sets the tone without overpowering conversation
Dinner typically lasts 60-90 minutes. Instrumental or mellow vocal tracks at 60-70 decibels allow guests to talk comfortably. Ask your DJ to gradually increase energy toward the end of dinner.
Coordinate music transitions with the catering timeline
Your DJ should know exactly when courses are served and cleared so music shifts align with the meal flow. Share the catering timeline with your DJ at least 1 week before the wedding.
Reception Entertainment and Flow
Plan the reception event order with your DJ
Standard flow is grand entrance, first dance, welcome toast, dinner, parent dances, cake cutting, bouquet/garter toss, open dancing, last dance. Map out exact times so the DJ can prepare transitions.
Choose your grand entrance song
Select first dance, parent dance, and last dance songs
Create a must-play list of 10-15 songs
Keep your must-play list short so the DJ has room to read the room. A list of 10-15 songs gives clear direction without micromanaging. These are the songs that absolutely must be played during the night.
Create a do-not-play list
Be specific about songs or genres you want excluded. Common requests include no explicit lyrics, no specific ex-related songs, or no line dances. DJs prefer a clear do-not-play list over vague guidelines.
Decide whether to allow guest song requests
Guest requests keep the dance floor full but can derail the vibe. A middle ground is to accept requests but give the DJ final say. Some DJs offer digital request tools where guests submit songs via their phones.
MC Duties and Announcements
Confirm who will MC the reception
Most DJs include MC services in their package. If using a separate MC, schedule a 30-minute call between the MC and DJ at least 2 weeks before so they coordinate announcements and music cues.
Write out name pronunciations and key announcements
Provide the MC with a typed list of the couple's full names, wedding party names, and parents' names with phonetic spellings. Include the exact wording you want for the grand entrance announcement.
Confirm how the couple wants to be announced (new last name, first names only, etc.)
Provide the MC with the toast order and time limits
Toasts should be 3-5 minutes each. Give the MC a list of speakers in order and a polite cutoff plan if someone goes over. Most receptions allow 2-4 toasts before guests lose attention.
Equipment and Logistics
Confirm the venue's power supply and sound restrictions
Some venues have noise ordinances requiring music to stop by 10 or 11 PM. Check the available power outlets near the DJ setup area and confirm amperage. Most DJs need 2-3 dedicated 20-amp circuits.
Ask about noise curfews and decibel limits
Confirm whether the venue provides any sound equipment
Discuss lighting and effects included in the package
Basic DJ lighting (uplighting, dance floor lights) is often included. Extras like monogram projection ($200-$500), fog machines ($100-$200), or LED walls ($500-$1,500) are usually add-ons.
Plan wireless microphone needs for the ceremony and toasts
You will need at least 1 wireless mic for the officiant and toasts, and a second if doing live vows. Confirm whether the DJ provides ceremony sound equipment or if that is a separate rental fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a wedding DJ cost compared to a live band?
Wedding DJs average $1,000-$2,500 for 4-5 hours of reception coverage, while live bands range from $3,000-$10,000+ for the same duration. A 4-piece band starts around $3,000; a 7-10 piece band with horns and vocals runs $6,000-$12,000. DJs offer wider song variety and transitions, while bands create high-energy live entertainment — 35% of couples rank the band as the top reception highlight.
How many songs should be on a wedding playlist?
Build a playlist of 150-200 songs for a 5-hour reception — that is roughly 40 songs per hour. Your DJ only needs a must-play list of 15-25 songs and a do-not-play list of 5-10 songs; they will fill the rest based on crowd energy and reading the room. Over-programming with a rigid 200-song set list prevents the DJ from adapting to what is actually getting people on the dance floor.
When should the first dance happen at a wedding reception?
The first dance traditionally happens immediately after the couple's grand entrance into the reception, before dinner is served. This puts the spotlight on the couple when energy and attention are highest. An alternative gaining popularity is doing the first dance after dinner — guests have eaten, the bar has loosened the room, and the dance transitions naturally into the open dance floor. Either timing works; just coordinate with your DJ and photographer.
Should I provide ceremony music separately from reception music?
Yes — ceremony music and reception music are typically handled by different setups. Ceremony musicians (string quartet, acoustic guitarist, or solo pianist) cost $300-$800 for 30-45 minutes of pre-ceremony, processional, and recessional music. The reception DJ or band handles everything from cocktail hour onward. Some DJs offer ceremony sound system add-ons for $200-$400 if you want to use recorded music for the ceremony.