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Should I hire a Las Vegas wedding band or wedding DJ?

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Photo: Chelsea Nicole Photography

If you are in the thick of wedding planning, you probably understand this universal truth: Wedding planning in Las Vegas comes with a lot of decisions! One of the most important being who you have as your entertainment for the night. Will it be a local Las Vegas DJ or will you choose to have a live band? Let’s discuss some pros and cons to each, plus common misconceptions. 

Wedding Bands are specific to one style of music….

Not quite. While there are bands that specialize in a Country or Motown style, most wedding bands are fully versed in all genres of music that will get your guests up and dancing. Most bands will have a few different lead and backup singers to ensure whatever song is on your playlist will be sung to perfection! We feel there is a certain energy that a band creates at a wedding that simply cannot be duplicated. If a live band is something you’ve ever considered, go for it! It’s a decision you won’t regret!

A DJ will be on the microphone all night and try to play the Chicken Dance….

Bite your tongue! As Las Vegas Wedding Planners, we take such pride in the DJs we recommend to our couples. Although all DJs have a different approach & style, you can be comforted in knowing the days of the cheesy wedding DJ are a thing of the past. Your DJ will also ask for a list of your must play and do not play songs. This ensures you’re safe from the Chicken Dance and you can guarantee the song that gets your guests up and groovin’ is played first! If you’re leaning towards hiring a DJ, investing a little more into a reputable DJ will be the some of the best spent money!

My friend is a nightclub DJ and will be perfect for my wedding and save me some cash….

Tricky subject. Nightclub DJs are awesome, in a nightclub. Same with their music. The house/techno mix is great for friends having a good time at a club. It’s not a perfect fit for most weddings. A professional wedding DJ will not only rock some great tunes, he/she will also announce your grand entrance, invite guests to dinner, handle song requests, let guests know to prepare for special events like first dance, toasts or cake cutting. They are used to bringing a mobile set up to a variety of locations and making sure their equipment is compatible with each venue.  We recommend giving your friend the night off and inviting him/her to enjoy your wedding while a professional wedding DJ takes care of your event.

What are some ways I incorporate live music without going all in on a band…

We always think an element of live entertainment is a great way to include a personal touch to customize your wedding. If hiring a band for your full reception isn’t an option, here are some ways to still include live musicians as part of the day:

  • A String Quartet for the ceremony
  • An Acoustic Guitar Player for cocktail hour
  • A talented Saxophone Player during dinner 
  • An Electric Violinist to play intermittently along with the DJ 

There is no right or wrong choice, just what is best for you two as a couple. Whether you hire a live band, a DJ or get creative in incorporating the two, with the right preplanning, you’re wedding will be the party of the century! 

When and Where to Take your Las Vegas Engagement Photos

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Congratulations! You’re engaged! One of the first exciting steps in the wedding planning journey is to document this time in your lives with an engagement session. It’s such a great opportunity to get dressed up, be present together and ensure all of the “feels” you’re feeling right now are captured and there for you to look back on. Beyond the sentimental reasons for your engagement photos, there are also many practical ones. Here are some things to consider when you start to plan your Las Vegas engagement session:

  • Have you booked your photographer for your wedding? Before you book your e-session, know that a lot of Las Vegas photographers include an engagement session in their wedding photography packages. This gives you a great opportunity to meet and spend time with your photographer before the wedding day. You’ll start to learn each other and understand what works best for the two of you when it comes to being in front of the camera. This leads to a much easier photo process on the wedding day! Scheme Events suggests booking your photographer as soon as your date & venue are secured! 

  • Are you sending out Save The Dates? If you’re considering sending Save The Dates to your guests, you may want to include a photo! This is a wonderful opportunity to use a favorite photo from your engagement session. Including a photo of the two of you on your Save The Date stationary makes them feel a bit more personal to your guests and really sets the tone! Scheme Events suggests sending Save The Dates no less than 6 months before your wedding, but like with many things, the sooner the better! 

  • Have you booked your beauty team yet? Being able to have professional hair and makeup done for your engagement session is ideal! It takes the stress and pressure off of you while getting ready, makes sure your hair and makeup are perfect for being in front of the camera and ensures you’re getting the most from your engagement session. Using the same beauty team for your e-session as you are for your wedding is optimum. It’s the perfect way to start the relationship with your hair and makeup artists. Scheme Events suggests booking your beauty team as soon as you’ve secured your “big ticket” items! 

In short, as Las Vegas Wedding Planners, we suggest you book your engagement session early on in your engagement, but definitely consider the above when doing so!

After the date for your photos are set, you’ll want to start planning where! It’s important to find a location that feels right for you. Do you love the outdoors, maybe you’ll like The Dry Lake Bed or Valley of Fire. Are you into the arts and like a more urban environment? Consider the Downtown Las Vegas Arts District or The Neon Museum. Perhaps you two have a deep love of coffee, maybe your favorite local coffee shop is a great fit. Whatever you choose, make sure it feels right for the two of you as a couple. Don’t hesitate to ask for suggestions from your photographer as well. They’re sure to have some ideas especially for you! 

Check out where these Scheme couples took their engagement photos in Las Vegas:

  • Gaby J Photography at Red Rock Canyon
  • Pure Light Creative at Dry Lake Bed
  • Chelsea Nicole Photography in Couple’s Home
  • Adam Trujillo Photography on The Road
  • Norina Kaye Photography at Lake Mead
  • Chelsea Nicole Photography at The Sand Dunes
  • Chelsea Nicole Photography at Neon Museum

Let’s Write The Next Chapter of Your Love Story!

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Whether a whirlwind romance or a decade in the making, your love story is one of a kind. Your engagement story marks your previous chapter (Congratulations!!) and we want to help you write your next, the wedding day! Your stories, jokes, innocence secrets and monumental occasions should all continue to play a part in the big day. So, please answer the following questions to help you create an authentic next chapter. Continually come back to these questions and answers when decisions become tough and feel free to write your own! The whole idea of this practice is to hone in on the two of you becoming one and to expand on your journey as a couple. We are cheering you on!

Gaby J Photography

1. How and where did you meet? Was it love at first sight?

2. Describe two moments in your relationship that immediately come to mind? Are they monumental or a simple cherished memory?

3. What do the two of you typically do on a night out or a night in? What do you dream to do?

4. Describe a party you would host in your home. Does it excite you or stress you out?

5. What are your hobbies, collections, guilty pleasures, favorite sports teams, etc. that unite the two of you?

6. Which room in your home is the most enjoyable to you and why?

7. Who has played a significant role in mentoring your relationship and being your biggest cheerleader?

8. Which religious or cultural elements do each of you bring to the relationship and which one will be dominant moving forward?

9. What will be your legacy as a married couple? What are you going to do better as a couple than you would have on your own?

10. Be inspired to write your own questions!

So, now that you’ve pondered these questions, please be sure to write them down. Place them as the first page of your wedding planning binder (I know you want one!) and frequently visit them. It’s the Scheme solution to keeping our couples on track to their authentic wedding day full of love and dedication to the marriage. Your love story is sure to be the true star of the day and we would be honored to help you!

For more questions like the above, you can purchase our book, Planning By The Book! It’s full of ideas, inspiration and guidance for your Las Vegas wedding.

(702) 327-0178

info@schemeevents.com