All the stress of planning your wedding will be worth it once your big day goes down in history as a once-in-a-lifetime party. But what party is complete without music? Even if you aren’t a huge fan of the dance floor yourself, veteran New Orleans wedding planner Amanda Price says the music can make or break a wedding, so it’s no place to cut corners.
“As a planner, entertainment is one of my top priorities,” Price said. “Our whole goal, at the end of the day, is for our clients and their guests to walk away saying that this was the most fun wedding they’ve ever been to. And that really is about the entertainment piece — that’s what’s going to make your wedding memorable.”
So how do you make the right choice? It can be tough, according to John Hozey, owner of Blue Earth Productions, particularly in a music city like New Orleans. While that might not sound like much of a comfort, both Price and Hozey have a few tips to follow to ensure your wedding is the rockingest party of the year.
DJs Vs. Live Bands
The first hard choice you’re going to have to make is whether you want a DJ or a live band. Both have their benefits, Price said, and there are three main factors to consider: budget, venue and vibe.
If you’re working with a lower budget, you’re likely to get more bang for your buck, Price said, and not all venues can support the sound and space a live band requires. After you choose your venue, Price recommends going over these points with your planner and point of contact at the venue before you start searching for a performer.
To determine the vibe, Price always works with her clients to figure out what they want the music to bring to the table.
“A lot of people are very passionate about the fact that they want live music. They want that feel, that energy, of having a performer. In those cases, we definitely recommend being aware of that before you start looking for a venue to make sure your space can accommodate that,” Price said.
However, if you’re seeking a clubbier vibe where you can sing along on the dance floor to your favorite throwbacks, Price said a DJ is probably a better bet.
Both Price and Hozey emphasize that there are a lot of fantastic and unique DJs on the market — particularly here in New Orleans — meaning going that route does not condemn you to a night of stale tunes and generic playlists.
Another popular option is a DJ-band hybrid, Hozey said.
“Basically, we’ll take one of our DJs and we’ll pair them with a musician or two,” he said. “What you get is a really fun, dynamic performance that includes that live element and brings that energy, but it is a little more budget friendly.”
Start Your Search Early
For Price, booking entertainment is one of the first things she wants to get done, so starting early is vital.
“You don’t want to be thinking of this as an afterthought or stressing about it at the last minute. It’s going to be such a big part of your night, and it’s really important to treat it as such,” Price said. “As soon as you confirm your venue, that’s when I want to start talking entertainment.”
Don’t Stick Your Nose Up at Wedding Bands
While you might be tempted to have your favorite local band play at your wedding, Hozey and Price recommend approaching that with caution.
“Weddings are a totally different beast, there’s no way around that,” Price said. “You can be the best musician and best performer in town, but when it comes to weddings, it’s just not what most artists are used to.”
To be sure your entertainment will understand all the ins and outs of the day, perform their butts off and not overshadow you on your Big Day, working with industry professionals is the safest choice, Hozey said.
If your heart is set on having a band that doesn’t typically perform at weddings, Hozey recommends hiring a production assistant who is familiar with the event industry to manage the musicians so you don’t have to worry about it.
Trust Who You Hired
Once it’s all said and done you need to be able to sit back and trust your performer to do their thing. Communication is key, Phat Hat’s Rick Navqi said, and it’s a good idea to schedule a call or meeting a week in advance to talk through the itinerary for the evening and make sure everyone is on the same page.
“The last thing to remember is to enjoy the night,” he said. “You’re hiring a professional that does this for a living. If you’ve done your due diligence by hiring the right person, they will deliver an experience that your guests will not forget.”
Unique DJs in New Orleans to have at your Wedding
C’est Funk
Johnny Gomez is a New Orleans-based DJ from Brazil. Performing as DJ C’est Funk, Gomez specializes in world funk and disco from Brazil to Nigeria to Japan. C’est Funk hosts a monthly event called Batucada Groove, one of New Orleans’ premier international music dance parties. Gomez brings a unique sound to every event and is sure to perk up ears at your wedding.
Ann Glaviano
Ann Glaviano is known around the city for her Heatwave Dance Parties and is not your average wedding DJ. Glavino spins vinyl records from 1957-1974 out of beat-up crates and cardboard boxes and is a pro at filling a dance floor. For couples wanting their reception to be an old-school dance party with music grandma can sing along to, Glaviano will not disappoint.
Mod Night Dance Party
DJs Kristen Naul and Matty Uhlman have been spinning monthly vinyl dance parties at New Orleans’ Saturn Bar for 23 years. For couples looking for obscure bops and somewhat grittier vibes, Kristen and Matty are sure to please.
Great New Orleans Wedding Bands
Phat Hat
Phat Hat is a funk/soul band from Baton Rouge with a repertoire featuring a smattering of the funkiest dance songs from the sixties, seventies and eighties guaranteed to make the music move you. Heads up, this popular wedding band is already booking for 2025, so act fast if you want them serenading you on your Big Day.
After 8
If you’re looking for a high-quality cover band to dance the night away to, After 8 is a great option. Their award-winning music spans genres and decades and this team of world-class musicians will work with you to curate the setlist of your dreams.
Crescent City Soul
This celebrated party band is pretty much guaranteed to get your guests up and moving. With a nine-piece horn section and six lead singers, Crescent City Soul is a polished group that can curate their sound to impress any crowd.
