Keep to the Beat for Cheap: How to Save Money on Music

When it comes to wedding music, times are changing. For example, even during the ceremony, it’s getting more common to skip the bridal march, and queue up a favorite love song from the 21st century instead.

People still love the traditional music too, but it’s just not necessary anymore for those who don’t to stick to it. Nowadays, you can walk down the aisle to almost any song expresses how you feel about the love of your life.

With the music, like any other line item, your budget rules with an iron fist. But you’ll still want to have all of the tunes you love, from that first waltz as husband and wife to that last jitterbug with your guests before you hit the door.

Hiring a DJ can be the best option, but it isn’t the only one. If you choose to hire a DJ, here’s how to save some serious cash.

A DJ for Cheap

For starters, find an amateur DJ who’s just starting out. They’re eager for the work, and will often cut you a good deal. You can find good amateur DJ’s at local school dances. Try asking local high school and college kids about DJ’s that they might know. Young DJ’s who are just starting out offer another bonus: they’ve started with modern technology like portable laptops and downloaded music, which means that they can usually get just about any song you could possibly want.

Young DJ’s are also more willing to follow precise instructions on what you want to hear. Unlike their better-known bethren, they’ll usually let you to have full control over what they do. Many amateur DJs will even make you custom CDs, if you ask. You could hand these out to the bridal party as evocative mementos of your night together.

To get the best out of amateurs, let them audition. Make sure they understand the pacing of a wedding, and can comfortably guide guests through the evening. Then let them bid their prices.

Getting a Band for Less

Given their druthers, many couples would love to have a live band at their reception. Live bands offer a special elegance to the ceremony, and for weddings in certain environments (such as outdoors), they’re indispensable.

To save (a lot!) on a band, look to local high schools and colleges. One option: hire the school bands for the ceremony, then book a DJ for the reception.

You can also look to any musical friends or family members to help you out. Just make sure your friends, family or potential bands can handle the specific tunes you want at your wedding.

Intimate instruments like the guitar, Spanish guitar, saxophone or piano are perfect for weddings, and you can often find local music students who are willing to play a wedding for cheap.

A Few More Cost-Cutting Tips

• Hold auditions with young people who need experience. Let them come to you.

• Place an ad in the paper or penny saver, saying yo’re looking for wedding bands or DJ’s. Let respondents bid for the jobs. Ideally, you’ll have different players competing for your wedding and trying to outbid each other for the exposure. Let them audition, and tell them you’re taking quotes on fees.

• Use pre-recorded live music tapings at your wedding. With a good sound system, this can give you that live music sound without the associated price tag.

• Use a stereo or iPod that plays through hours of music automatically. If a sound system’s built into your venue, this can cost you no more than the price of the CDs.