I too vote for the Reggae band and DJ. That is hot. And I also agree with markagirl.
I have an interesting view on bands. I've been to a few weddings with bands and I often feel that band music appeals to a certain group as opposed to the entire wedding. For instance, we went to a wedding in DC where they chose a Mowtown band (I think it was $5k for an 8 piece) where the lead singer could also expertly sing Prince. While they were great if you wanted to hear that sort of music (we liked it), I know some didn't because the wanted to dance to Sinatra, some modern music and some other artists that just weren't played. I think DJs offer good ranges for that. I also think live music is one of the best ways to get everyone on the dance floor. So I think if you can, you should do both.
You make a very good point. I don't want to leave and have some songs not played. I guess I need to understand realistically, how many songs get played at a wedding. I like to have a wide range, since the age group is all over the place.
it is a stuff choice. 8k isn't that far off depending on the area of the country. in CT any decent band will run at least 5k. with that said, we decided on the DJ just becuase it is true that bands appeal to certain people.
for example, we went to the wedding in florida, their band was flown in from new york, and surely cost a fortune, but Ed and I thought they were ok, my mom and ted thought they were amazing. they weren't amazing... and sad, b/c I am sure they were 15 to 20k.
there is a great appeal to live music, everyone enjoys the live band feel, but they never sound like the original, and rarely have the ability to play a broad (even though they say so) range of music....
You are so right. I think bands are for older crowds, which I don't have predominantly at my wedding or at least a crowd that would want to hear sinatra.
This band has a pretty wide range and they are pretty good for all the songs.
8K? If thats what the bands local to Miami are going for you might find less expense with a non-local band, flying them in and giving them room and board for the night. We had both a band and a DJ at our wedding. We paid no where near 8K but then again I'm in MD and this was 3 years ago. Im a big fan of having both because there are certain elements that each provided. We wanted to provide carribean music for DH's side and classic Soul for mine and neo soul and hip hop for our friends. The best way to accomodate both was to do the band and the DJ. Not to mention the band took breaks between sets where the DJ filled in.
Basically, I think a good band is a good band. Regardless of who the audience is-- you cant help but enjoy good live music. Our Dj had a relationship with the bands' management company. So this helped a lot and they basically worked together through the night so the music never stopped. I thought this was really important. Especially since they shared the sound equip.
I am not flying anymore people to my wedding. I am already flying a photographer, videographer and hair stylist. That is it.
You arrangement seems to mirror my own. My family and his are deep Caribbean, Jamaican to be exact. I like reggae, especially old dancehall as do FH, our friends range from soca die hards to hip hop fiends, not to mention the gospel, which I am now jamming too. So, its such variety. I was thinking band, but then realistically how much do I want the band to play. I don't want 2 hours of reggae music at my wedding I think. however, I don't want just 40 mins of hip hop at my wedding. See the indecision. I don't really want any music to dominate. I want an even mix.
Well you can certainly map out how you want the music to flow. Our Dj also doubled as our MC. I basically game him a full timeline, script and phonetic spelling of everyone's names *lol* He was from Trinidad and still managed to eat up some names with his accent *lol*
We had considered a steel drum band for the cocktail hour but decided our soul band was enough. They played a set during cocktail hour. Then the DJ did intros with our selected music. Then The band played another set during dinner. Then we went right into an hour of DJ'd soca etc. then another set from the band then some dances, hip hop from the DJ and another soul set from the band.
I think you can have it all if you plan it our in advance.
yikes that is tough. I always like the element of a band at weddings because it just adds a certain something. However I think everyone is right when they say you need to balance that out with a DJ. This way you get the variety that you are looking for. Plus depending on how many songs are in a set of course the band will take breaks in between and you will need a DJ or some type of audio piped in to fill up the space. I think a reggae band like you want (with a limit on the amount of time and songs you want them to play) and a DJ to satifsy your hip hop, gospel fans and R&B fans would be nice. I wanted a band but went over budget in other areas so I had to nix that but I had my DJ play a mix of old and new across all the genres we liked (soul, funk, hip hop, R&B, reggae) and it went over well. When my great aunt stood up on with her walker to shake her booty I knew that we had music to satisfy everyone. Good luck with your decision.
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I have an interesting view on bands. I've been to a few weddings with bands and I often feel that band music appeals to a certain group as opposed to the entire wedding. For instance, we went to a wedding in DC where they chose a Mowtown band (I think it was $5k for an 8 piece) where the lead singer could also expertly sing Prince. While they were great if you wanted to hear that sort of music (we liked it), I know some didn't because the wanted to dance to Sinatra, some modern music and some other artists that just weren't played. I think DJs offer good ranges for that. I also think live music is one of the best ways to get everyone on the dance floor. So I think if you can, you should do both.
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I like the presence of live music.
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for example, we went to the wedding in florida, their band was flown in from new york, and surely cost a fortune, but Ed and I thought they were ok, my mom and ted thought they were amazing. they weren't amazing... and sad, b/c I am sure they were 15 to 20k.
there is a great appeal to live music, everyone enjoys the live band feel, but they never sound like the original, and rarely have the ability to play a broad (even though they say so) range of music....
just my take.
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This band has a pretty wide range and they are pretty good for all the songs.
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We had both a band and a DJ at our wedding. We paid no where near 8K but then again I'm in MD and this was 3 years ago. Im a big fan of having both because there are certain elements that each provided. We wanted to provide carribean music for DH's side and classic Soul for mine and neo soul and hip hop for our friends. The best way to accomodate both was to do the band and the DJ. Not to mention the band took breaks between sets where the DJ filled in.
Basically, I think a good band is a good band. Regardless of who the audience is-- you cant help but enjoy good live music. Our Dj had a relationship with the bands' management company. So this helped a lot and they basically worked together through the night so the music never stopped. I thought this was really important. Especially since they shared the sound equip.
Reply
You arrangement seems to mirror my own. My family and his are deep Caribbean, Jamaican to be exact. I like reggae, especially old dancehall as do FH, our friends range from soca die hards to hip hop fiends, not to mention the gospel, which I am now jamming too. So, its such variety. I was thinking band, but then realistically how much do I want the band to play. I don't want 2 hours of reggae music at my wedding I think. however, I don't want just 40 mins of hip hop at my wedding. See the indecision. I don't really want any music to dominate. I want an even mix.
Reply
I basically game him a full timeline, script and phonetic spelling of everyone's names *lol* He was from Trinidad and still managed to eat up some names with his accent *lol*
We had considered a steel drum band for the cocktail hour but decided our soul band was enough. They played a set during cocktail hour. Then the DJ did intros with our selected music. Then The band played another set during dinner. Then we went right into an hour of DJ'd soca etc. then another set from the band then some dances, hip hop from the DJ and another soul set from the band.
I think you can have it all if you plan it our in advance.
*lol* @ not flying anyone else in
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