Wedding band or DJ?
An honest guide from a band that is also a DJ: what each does best, what goes wrong when you book both separately, and what to ask before you book.
The short answer
Most couples in Ireland end up wanting both: a live band for the peak of the night, and a DJ to keep the floor going once the band finishes.
What a live band does better
A good band changes the room. People who would never dance to a playlist get up for a band, because there is a singer looking at them and a song building in front of them. A band also reads the room in real time: if a song is not landing, the next one changes. For the first dance and the first hour of the evening, that energy is hard to match.
What a DJ does better
A DJ can play the original recording of anything, in any genre, for as long as you like. Late in the night, when guests want the songs they know word for word, a DJ keeps the floor full without a break. A DJ also needs less space and power, which matters in a small room.
The problem with booking both separately
Two suppliers means two setups, two sound systems and a changeover in the middle of your night. The band finishes, packs down, and the DJ sets up, and the floor empties while it happens. It also means two contracts, two arrival times and two people for your venue to deal with.
How we do it
We are a live band and a DJ in one booking. Adam plays a solo set for your drinks reception, the band plays two continuous hours in the evening, and our own DJ takes over from the same setup, so the music never stops. You deal with one supplier and one contract. Compare our four packages.
Questions to ask any band or DJ
- How long do you play, and is that one continuous set or broken up?
- Is sound and lighting included, and what does it look like?
- Who is the DJ after the band, and is there a gap between them?
- Can we see real footage from a wedding, not a promo video?
- Will you learn our first dance?
You can see real footage of ours on the films, from weddings at Beech Hill and The Rabbit Hotel among others.
FAQ
Is a wedding band more expensive than a DJ?
Usually, because a band is several musicians plus sound and lighting, and a DJ is one person. The fairest comparison is against what you would pay for a band and a separate DJ, since most couples want both. Our prices for all four packages come back by email as soon as you enquire.
How long does a wedding band play for?
Our band plays two continuous hours, or two sets around your evening buffet. Our DJ then plays through to the end of the night, usually around 1am.
Can we have a live band and a DJ?
Yes, and it is what most couples choose. With our Gold and Platinum packages the band and DJ share one setup, so there is no break in the music between them.
Will a band play our first dance song?
Yes. Tell us the song on your wedding form and we will have it ready. If a song genuinely does not suit a live band, we will say so and suggest how to handle it.
Want both, without the gap?
Tell us your date and venue, and prices for all four packages come straight back to you by email.
Check your date