Band/Dj package option?

Is a Band/Dj package a good Option for Weddings – Getting your Cake Maker to Do Your Main Course

I have been a DJ for over twenty years;  I’ve had club residencies, played hundreds of corporate gigs  and weddings and performed in venues across Europe and in the US. This particular blog will focus on weddings and the growing trend of band/dj packages. This is understandable as it seems easier to organise and can save precious time for couples, particularly if you are trying to organise an Irish wedding and are not currently living in Ireland. The package can also seem like better value – an important consideration in these straitened times, however before taking this option there are a few issues couples should consider.

Some bands quote an all inclusive price with the dj element of the package represented as considerably reduced or even “free”, however in many cases the all inclusive price is not significantly cheaper than booking a band and dj separately. You are the customer and you should be able to get separate quotes for the band and dj so you can compare with other acts accordingly. Additionally you should not feel under pressure to book the two together because the band insists on ‘their’ DJ – usually a member of the band or perhaps their sound engineer or roadie.  While the argument is sometimes made that an inclusive band/dj package makes for a smoother transition between the different elements of the night’s entertainment, this is not a serious consideration as a professional DJ will always set up at the same time as the band  to ensure there is seamless continuity on the night.

The big question here, however, is can the bass player or sound engineer or roadie be trusted to do a good job as a dj for your wedding? I myself am a professional DJ and have devoted a lot of time to perfecting my craft. While I was a musician in an earlier life, I would not work professionally as a musician at a wedding.  Conversely, while musicians or sound engineers might have some have transferable skills in terms of Djing, would you take the chance on your wedding day? In a way it would be like getting your cake maker to do the main course for your meal!  With this point in mind if you are considering the option of going with a band/DJ package make sure to go and listen to the DJ as well as the band before booking.

In my experience as a wedding DJ, I usually play for longer than the band.  As the DJ normally provides the bulk of the night’s entertainment its extremely important that you choose a professional whether as part of an inclusive package or not and if the band insists upon a particular DJ– unless you are totally satisfied they are up to the job – don’t be afraid to call the band’s bluff. You only have one ‘big day’ after all and you want to remember a packed dance floor with all your loved ones having the night of their lives!