First off I want to say that I am going to try really hard to discuss the pros and cons of both live music and recorded/deejay music at your wedding. But just want to say that I obviously am somewhat biased toward live music due to the fact that I lead a live band. All that being said, here is some insight.
Deejay-if you are on a budget a deejay is the best deal around. The deejay will also be able to play almost any song you need. AND if space is an issue, the deejay has the ability to set up in a very compact way. Segue's are easy. A deejay usually doesn't mess up going from one song to the next with a smooth transition. You can even prerecord your favorite songs and have the deejay play them from an ipod, mp3's or cd. You can even use an ipod only with a decent sound system and therefore you can have total control of all of the songs played for the night. I hate this idea just from a practical management perspective. I don't think the bride and groom should have to be fidgeting with an ipod all night. Even if you assign a friend to do it then basically it is dominating his time as well. So I prefer to have the client use a deejay or just supplement the night with ipods or prerecorded music.
Deejay/MC-be very careful to make sure that the Deejay or MC has the right amount of energy, personality for your group. And ask ahead of time how much interaction and talking he does throughout the night. Most brides don't mind announcements or leading some dances but it can be a problem if the MC has a very chatty style over the microphone. I know one groom who was so annoyed with a deejay for excessively using his name too much. Eventually, he told the deejay if he said his name one more time he would ask him to go home. So, make sure you get a sense of stage presence and style. Some deejays are excellent at playing and choosing music but bad MC's. So many times you may be hiring two guys (deejay and mc).
Band-Our band rarely ever uses recorded music unless the client has requested it. We even use live musician's for breaks. However, if you are planning on implementing some of your recorded music make sure to double check with the band regarding the audio system. Sometimes the client will need a certain adapter. The advantages to having a live band is that it adds an energy and spirit to the room/party that you don't get with a deejay. Each band truly does have its own personality and a band can go a long way into getting the crowd dancing. Also, the band and musician's usually add a more polished and elegant feel to the night. Of course there are exceptions. If you are hiring a band that only plays blue grass, it may not work for a NY black tie wedding. So, it is always great to have a band that plays a wide range of music. OR if you are shooting for a certain vibe or genre then having the appropriate band can really enhance your vision. For example, if you always drempt of having swing music, then a band that specializes in that repertoire will help make your dream a reality with the music they play.
Overtime-a band is going to typically be alot more expensive.
There are also combinations. You can use a deejay with a few musician's to supplement. We have also used an entire big band with a deejay for breaks and after party. It can be really awesome to pair the two if you can afford it.
Either way...the choice is individual. I say if you do a deejay only make sure they use lights for ambiance otherwise the deejay set up may not look that dynamic.
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