You want your guests to leave your reception with great memories of the food, the decorations, the location, and the entertainment. If you're torn between having live wedding music or a Wedding DJ, here are five questions to ask yourself.

• What's my budget?

Wedding entertainment costs vary depending on city, number of entertainers, day of the week, and time of day. You'll probably want to budget anywhere between 8 and 12 percent for music and entertainment. Bands can cost more simply because there are more people to pay.

• How much room do I have at my reception location?

If your space is limited, you may only have room for one wedding DJ with equipment or a small live ensemble. Live musicians will usually require more room than a wedding DJ, but a soloist or duet should fit just about anywhere. Check with your venue beforehand to find out how much space will be available for your entertainment.

• What tone do I want to set during my reception?

While some couples can't imagine having a party without dancing, not everyone needs or wants a dance floor at their reception. Some low-key couples may just want one dance together and then soft music played during dinner. In this case, a small jazz ensemble or classical guitarist may be perfect. On the other hand, if you simply must boogie to your favorite funk tunes--because let's face it, nobody does "Brick House" like the Commodores--you'll want a wedding DJ that can play all your and your guests' favorites.

• Will I have a set schedule during my reception?

Some receptions are casual affairs, while others are a flurry of activity. If this is the case, it's important to adhere to an event timeline. A DJ can help keep things running on schedule by announcing events like the toasts, first dance, bouquet toss, and cake cutting. For big weddings, announcements can let your guests know what's going on so they're sure not to miss a thing.

• Does my venue have restrictions?

How loud is too loud? If your venue is near a residential area, there may be noise restrictions. While a big band may generate too much noise for the area, a small group could be fine.

More confused than ever? Consider having the best of both worlds at your reception. Many entertainment services have packages that offer both live wedding music as well as a wedding DJ. Imagine a string quartet, harpist, or classical guitarist for your ceremony and perhaps even at your reception during the cocktail hour. As dinner is winding down, your reception could start ramping up with a DJ and plenty of dancing until the wee hours.