One of the most difficult decisions a bride and groom must make when planning a wedding reception is choosing the source of entertainment. Before the 1980s, live bands dominated the wedding scene; however, with the introduction of Compact Discs and electronically produced music in the 1980s, disc jockeys became a more appealing choice. Today, disc jockeys serve as the primary source of entertainment for most private events, including weddings. Although bands may seem more "classy" than disc jockeys, there are many reasons why hiring a DJ is a smarter choice.

The most relevant reason why DJs are a smarter choice is because of their extensive music library. A twenty-first century DJ typically carries between twenty and sixty thousand songs. A wedding band could definitely pump out some Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Earth Wind and Fire, and even classic like "Sweet Caroline", but bands are much less flexible in that they're limited to the music on their set list. It shouldn't be up to the bride and groom to determine what music best fits their crowd. In the 50's, 60's and 70's, wedding bands were able to adapt to the musical environment because quality recorded music only spanned back to the 1940's. Today, we have nearly seventy years of quality recorded music behind us which makes bands less efficient for events that bring in individuals with different musical tastes. Hiring a DJ takes away the stress of having to choose the "right song" at the "right moment". Disc jockeys are able to adapt to their environment by reading the crowd and playing the music that best fits the interests of their audience.

Another very valid reason for hiring a DJ is the cost savings. Today, wedding bands can range anywhere from $1000 to $7000 depending on the size, quality, and market area of the band. In comparison, a wedding DJ can be hired for as little as $650 with a max rate capping off at $2500 on average for standard services. A disc jockey provides the MC services for the evening and the right music to suit the taste of your guests. Overall, you not only get more efficient services from a DJ, but you also save a great deal of money.

Besides the music library and cost savings, a DJ allows you to change the entertainment aspects of your event at any time. If 2 hours before your wedding you realize that "Always and Forever" wasn't exactly the first dance you wanted, a simple phone call or conversation before the event with your DJ can change it completely. Asking a band to play a song without previous rehearsal could be devastating. Sure, many party planners will rant and rave about how DJs cannot match the energy of a live band, but nothing beats the energy released from a crowd who hears the perfect song played at just the right time. DJs have the ability to flex their play lists and adapt them to the mood of the crowd. Overall, hiring a DJ allows you to focus more time on other aspects of your event to ensure the night is one to remember.