Band or DJ? Questions & Tips on Wedding Music

No matter how young you were when you first met, you could probably both say, “Music was my first love.” This first love will also play an important role at your wedding. The only question is: Who will bring it to life? A wedding DJ or a wedding band? We’d be happy to walk you through the most important questions and tips regarding wedding music.

But first: Questions

Before you set out to answer this big question and finally begin your search, you should first clarify a few smaller questions.

• Where’s the music playing?
  A mixing console usually takes up less space than a five-piece band. If you’ve already decided on a venue, that alone might be enough to help you make your final decision. Just be sure to keep in mind that there should also be enough space for a dance floor.
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• When should the music play?
  During the wedding ceremony, at the reception, during dinner, or late into the night—a wedding offers many opportunities for musical accompaniment. Think about when you’ll need music, and if your budget allows, also consider whether different musicians could perform during the various parts of the program: asolo singer for the wedding ceremony, a pianist during dinner, and a DJ for the after-party.
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• What kind of music are you looking for?
  What sound goes best with your moves? It’s not quite as easy to dance the disco fox to Billie Eilish songs, and if you start spinning to “Wannabe” in 3/4 time, it’ll probably leave one or two guests scratching their heads. That means: Choose bands that match the music you want. A brass band will almost certainly face a challenge when performing “Who Let the Dogs Out.” While a DJ’s repertoire of songs and musical styles is broader, they typically specialize in certain genres as well.
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• Should you take on hosting duties?
  Musicians often take on various hosting duties—this is likely because they usually have a microphone in front of them. Consider whether this will be the case for you as well, and if so, make sure to clarify this when making your inquiries.

Here's something to keep in mind

• Start looking for a band or female DJ six months or even a year in advance. That's because good musicians and DJs are often booked up very quickly.
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• If you have friends who play music in any capacity, don't ask them to handle the music at your wedding. They should be able to be guests and celebrate with you. There's nothing wrong with a short performance, but providing entertainment all day long is a job, not a party.
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• However, your friends can help you choose the right musical service providers. They’re often a better source of information than the internet. So feel free to check out our list of wedding musicians from Austria —after all, we’re friends, right?
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• Put the musicians on the guest list. In other words: Plan a meal for them and figure out where they can eat it. Only well-fed musicians can produce truly great sound.
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• Price Comparison: Generally speaking, DJs are less expensive than a band, which has to split its fee. But that isn't always the case. Well-known turntable artists, in particular, can quickly match a band's price. If in doubt, the only thing to do is ask.

Here's how to do it

Whether you end up saying “Come, Mr. DJ, song pon de replay” or “Play it again, Sam,” we’ve put together a few tips here to make sure everything goes as “smooth” as a Santana solo.

• Discuss the music selection in advance
  Whether you’ve decided on a fretboard acrobat and his friends or a vinyl record player, be sure to clarify the music selection beforehand. Since you’ve already given this some thought thanks to the question above, that shouldn’t be a problem.
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• Take some time to listen to samples:
  Ask for references from the artists. Most of them have videos, demos, or playlists available. If you’d like, you can search popular platforms like YouTube, Spotify, or SoundCloud for your preferred candidates even before sending a request.
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• Clarify the program schedule
  Discuss the program schedulewith the musicians and determine when—and, most importantly, for how long—they should play. You should also share their contact information with your witnesses, as there may be something else planned that even you aren’t aware of.

Create a “no-go” song list at
. Even though it’s your wedding, you won’t have complete control over the music. Somehow, every family seems to have at least one Uncle Helmut who isn’t above asking the band or DJ to play old classics like “Abenteuerland” or “Atemlos,” while Aunt Irmgard is determined to celebrate your love with “I Will Always Love You” or “Every Breath You Take.” So create a “no-go” song list. It doesn’t have to be public—just let your guests know it exists. Every time Helmut, Irmgard, or anyone else requests a song from the list, they have to put at least one euro into the “cliché piggy bank” and accept that everyone will be told who’s landed a hit on the list. So while you’re still not safe from your family’s musical tastes, at least you’ll get a little compensation.

If you take all these points to heart, nothing will stand in the way of a great atmosphere at your wedding. You’ll know you’ve succeeded—at the very latest—when your guests, as they’re saying goodbye, not only thank you for the invitation and the food, but also perform a—probably off-key— “Thank You for the Music.”