Many bridal magazines and wedding coordinators spread the myth that live music is more expensive than a DJ. While this used to be true, it isn't the case anymore. Here's how to find the best deals without the quality suffering.

Musician bands and string quartets who hire out their own group are often more expensive because a lot of cost goes into advertising and upkeep. But if a bride and groom go to a live music contractor, the costs are kept low and no upkeep costs are included.

Las Vegas Wedding Music is the number one live music contracting company in Las Vegas who specializes in hiring musicians for weddings. Their company hired musicians for more than 130 weddings and events in the year 2006 alone and are expected to double that amount in 2007.

Las Vegas Wedding Music is an example of a musician contracting company who keeps their prices lower than a DJ. "Although, we offer DJ services as well," Chandler said laughing. "It's easy to keep the prices low when you simply have variety because you have something that everyone wants. It's the 'Wal-mart effect.'"

In fact, Chandler said that the same string quartets who advertise for more in magazines and online, are often hired by a music contractor for less. "It's the same in every city. You find a great music contractor and all your money worries are over," Chandler said.

Las Vegas Wedding Music is like a lot of musician contracting companies in that they contract so many professional musicians that they know the best group for the best price, Chandler said. "That's what a contractor does. They know they have to find the best deal for the client, or the client will go with someone else, or even a CD player in the hall."

This is the main reason that musicians and musician contractors are starting to hire out for less. Because CD players and other sound systems have begun to have such amazing sound that it's not always considered tacky to have one play your wedding music. Create your own CDs and hit shuffle. It's free and many people are doing it. This is why contracting companies like Las Vegas Wedding Music know that they have to keep their prices low. They aren't just competing against DJs, they are competing against free music as well.

Although, no matter how great the sound gets, nothing compares to the real thing, getting your music live. That's why people like Chandler will never worry about being thrown out of a job. "The sound may be good, but a live band will always be the best, and if we can provide that for a minimal amount, people will go with the live band."

To find musician contractors in your area, search everywhere and in the cracks. Oftentimes, the best contractors don't advertise everywhere to keep their prices low. But usually, the quality is just as good. Make sure you here some demos from the musicians who will be playing, and if you can, try to see a group live.


Renae earned her BA degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Wedding Entertainment for Las Vegas Weddings can be found at http://www.lvweddingmusic.com