Last Updated on February 25, 2024 by Sandra Adamson

DIY DJ or Live Wedding Music Bands in Nova Scotia

DIY DJ or live wedding music bands for your big day? What is the best choice for your wedding day and for you as a couple? Making the right choice can be overwhelming. Picking the right music for your wedding is an important decision. Whether you’re looking for a fun and unique approach to your wedding day soundtrack, or a traditional and timeless one. Let’s look at the pros and cons so you can make the best decision for your big day! Wedding music sets the tone for your entire day and can help create an unforgettable atmosphere and experience. So, let’s get this party started!

Wedding guests dancing with the bride at her wedding in Nova Scotia.

DIYing Your Wedding Music ~ Pros and Cons

If you’re planning a low-key, simple, and inexpensive wedding, then choosing a DIY music option can be the perfect choice. Having a DIY wedding is a great way to get creative but it does come with certain challenges. If you’re choosing a DIY wedding music option, you’ll be responsible for choosing and coordinating every aspect of the music for your wedding day. This can be a lot of work. Though it can also be fun, creative, and a way to add your own personal style to your wedding day. One of the main pros of a DIY music wedding is the cost. You’ll be responsible for sourcing all the music and having someone knowledgeable to run the music throughout the wedding day. This allows you to have complete control over the wedding music budget. This can be very helpful if you’re working within a tight budget.

The Walk Down the Wedding Aisle

For any special occasion, music has the power to establish the atmosphere and the same applies to wedding ceremonies. Many couples opt for a prerecorded track as it is a budget-friendly choice for walking down the aisle. There are plenty of prerecorded possibilities to choose from. You can select from a range of musical genres and even make a grand entrance to your preferred song or artist. One of my brides made her grand entrance to the theme song from Jurassic Park.

The bride walks up the aisle to the theme song for Jurassic Park! It gets quite the response from her guests and her soon to be husband.

Talk about a genuine reaction from everyone. Now that we have the ceremony music sorted out, let’s discuss the reception! When it comes to music for the reception, you have a lot of possibilities if you decide to do it yourself. You can build a custom playlist and rent a sound system – the decisions is in your hands. Another suggestion is to check if your venue has a system you can use.

Building a curated playlist and renting a sound system, the options are all in your hands. Another suggestion, see if your venue has one that you can use. The wedding below used just one simple speaker hooked up to their phone where their music playlist was ready to go. As you can see it was a fun evening of dancing had by all.

The bride and groom use an amplifier speaker hooked up to their cell phone for their wedding music.

Wedding DJs – Pros and Cons

An equally fun, although a more cost-effective option, is to hire a DJ. Choosing a wedding DJ is a great way to add fun and a unique musical style to your wedding day. A DJ can also play music during your wedding ceremony and then play Master of Ceremonies into the evening for your reception. They will curate a list of your favorite music, with your help.

The DJ keeps the crowd dancing during a wedding reception at the Hubbard's Barn in NS.

It’s also a great option for couples who want to keep their wedding simple and low-key. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a wedding DJ. DJs are often hired based on their experience as a musician and their ability to read a crowd and keep the party going. It’s a good idea to talk to your DJ ahead of time to make sure that they can coordinate their set list with your wedding day timeline. As always, it’s a good idea to check references and talk to your potential DJ to make sure they understand the vision you have for your wedding day and they will be able to execute it. A few other things to consider, their lighting, up lighting and those great smoke machines for added ambiance to that lighting!

The bride and groom dance together during their wedding reception.

Live Bands – Pros and Cons

DIYing it or a DJing it, isn’t for you? Perhaps you are a couple looking for a little more elegance to that walk down the aisle? Having one or more live string musicians play is always a beautiful and elegant touch and something my couples remember fondly.

A violinist and celloist play songs of loved ones who couldn't be at the wedding. — The Fine Tuners

Many wedding bands are open to learning modern renditions of songs and will also play classical wedding music. A live wedding band can offer the perfect combination of classic and modern musical styles. A live wedding band also offers the opportunity for you to create a truly unique wedding experience. If you want to do something different, a live band gives you the freedom to create your set list or to improvise songs in a truly special way.

The bride and groom play the sax and the guitar with their live wedding band during their reception at the Barn at Sadie Belle Farm.

There are a few things to be aware of when choosing a live band for your wedding. First, live bands aren’t always available on short notice. If you have a short engagement, you might not be able to find a band that is available to book on short notice. Second, live bands are significantly more expensive than DJs and DIYing it. As with everything else in wedding planning, it’s a good idea to set a budget and stick to it. Though if you want a truly unique wedding experience, a live band is an excellent option. Who wouldn’t want a private concert complete with all of their favorite songs?

Tips for Choosing the Right Option

No matter which option you choose for your wedding music, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, it’s important to choose an option that matches your style and your wedding. If you’re having a more casual, low-key wedding, you probably don’t want a live wedding band. Similarly, if you want a classic, timeless wedding, a DJ probably isn’t the best choice. Second, it’s important to choose an option that allows you to personalize your wedding music. If you’re choosing a DJ, this might mean letting your DJ know about any special songs you want to include in your setlist. If you’re using a live band, you’ll want to make sure they have the freedom to be creative on the day of your wedding.

Photographer playing with light as guests dance during a wedding reception at the Ashburn Golf Club in Halifax.

Budget is always an important factor when choosing wedding music. No matter which option you choose, you’ll want to find a good fit within your wedding budget. If you choose a DJ, you might be able to save money by purchasing a package that includes fewer hours, or selecting a DJ who offers a lower rate. If you choose a live band, you might be able to save money by booking a smaller ensemble, hiring someone who is just starting out, or hiring a band who understands your budget challenges and is willing to work with you.

Making the Most of Your Wedding Music

Regardless of which option you choose for your wedding music, there are a few things you can do to make the most of it on your wedding day.

First, it’s important to let all of your vendors know the timeline of your wedding. If you’re using a live band, this will be especially important so they’re able to coordinate their set up time and set list with your timeline. This can help ensure that everything runs smoothly and on time. It’s also a good idea to have a few special songs earmarked for specific moments during your wedding. If you’re using a DJ, this will allow you to request a special song at just the right time. If you’re using a live band, this will allow you to improvise a song at just the right time.

In conclusion, whether you choose a wedding band or DJ, it is important to let them know what songs you don’t want to be played. You should have a No Play List you can provide to them.