Organising your wedding is a task and a half, so you want to make sure you do everything properly! If you’re considering a band to play live at your wedding, this takes a bit or planning. You need to ask all the right questions, and make sure you get concise and accurate answers, as you’re trusting the band and/or the entertainment agency to do their bit. However, it’s not all scary and serious. It’s an exciting process, but you just need to get it right. So, if you’re looking to hire wedding bands, make sure you read this first!
1) Make sure you book early:
If you want a skilled and professional band at your wedding, then I would’ve thought that you’d need to book early. You can start your research as early as you want but make sure you book as soon as possible and secure your deposit and contract with the band. You can either search independently or through an entertainment agency! However, searching by yourself may take longer and bands not in agencies may not be as reliable.
2) Check reviews first:
Band’s may have some amazing photographs, promotional videos and blurb about themselves and seem to be the perfect match for your wedding. But you can’t always trust what you read, especially from the text trying to sell the band. The best way to see if they live up to their description is to read previous clients reviews of live wedding bands. They will say it how it is. Especially if they hired them for their wedding! Make sure they have loads of great feedback from other customers, so you know that they are going to be the special addition to your wedding that you’re looking for.
3) Choose the genre of music you want:
The easiest way to begin your search for your dream wedding entertainment, is to consider which genre of music they will play. There are so many styles of music around now, with countless crossover tracks that are available in most bands repertoires. Once you have picked out a general genre for the music, it’s a lot simpler to filter through bands online! However, there will probably still be a lot of bands that offer what you’re looking for. So, you need to decide what type of band you would like…which leads me onto my next point.
4) Choose the type of band you want:
Wedding bands and wedding entertainment come in all shapes and sizes! They can range from a soloist to a 13-piece super band! I’d imagine if you’ve decided that you want a wedding band, then you have a vision of the band. You will need to think about how many band members you would like and what instruments they would play! You could even think as far as their image, if they have a female or male vocalist and if they interact with the audience or are purely stage entertainment.
5) Watch their promotional videos:
Any band could say they perform swing and jazz music, but you need to see them in action. Band’s won’t often have 100% live performances as promotional videos, but they are an accurate representation of what type of music they perform and their capabilities. The aim of their videos is to sell their band, so if you like what you see in the video, chances are that you will like them performing! This is the first thing you need to like, before you start considering the finer details.
6) Make sure it fits your budget:
It’s important to only consider bands within your budget. When you plan your wedding, you must designate a certain budget for everything. You don’t want to have to cut back on something else because you got a bit excited about an awesome, 18 piece, mega band that cost a bomb! However, if you make and stick to your budget then you can see what style and size of band is available for approximately that price, then you can judge the best bands for hire in that price range.
7) Where/when they will perform:
The size and genre of your chosen band with determine if they play during your ceremony or the reception at your wedding. You don’t want a pop band rocking out at the back of the ceremony! You won’t be able to hear each other’s vows! However, some bands offer a smaller version of their full band. For example; a 6-piece band may offer a duo version of the band to play acoustic versions of songs for the ceremony and then the full band would play at the reception. You obviously don’t need to have a band for both, but you can explore these options during your search.
8) Do they take requests:
Live wedding bands, as you know, perform covers of your favourite songs. However, they do have set repertoires of songs they have performed and have learnt ready for events. Usually, for weddings, bands will offer to learn a special request. This is typically the first dance song, as that should always be personalised to the bride and groom, and you don’t want to be restricted to the bands repertoire. This can sometimes come with an additional fee, so make sure you know check this!
9) Make sure it’s suited for all your guests:
You may love a band because they sing your favourite heavy rock songs. However, is this what your grandmother wants to listen to at the wedding? Probably not. You need to try and find a balance between music you and your significant other love, as well as something the family will get up and dance to. It’s a party for everyone, not just you two…be aware of this when choosing a band.
10) How long they need to set up equipment:
When a band arrives at the venue, they need to unload all their equipment and sort out the staging for their performance. Once that’s all done, they need to do sound checks. This could take an hour at least! This is something to consider when you book the band, to ensure they have enough time to arrive, set up and check everything before they are put in front of an audience. Additional issues could arise if no one is at the venue to greet the band, or if the venue aren’t informed what time the band will be arriving. Communication is key. A schedule for the band and venue is essential to make sure it all runs smoothly.
11) How long is their set:
A lot of bands will have two sets with a duration of 60 mins, but some offer 3 shorter sets. It varies from band to band. Using your schedule (as mentioned earlier) you should be able to work out what times you will require the entertainment and what times there will be speeches and toasts, and obviously, the food! After you’ve worked this out, you can eliminate certain bands from the “maybe list”.
12) Additional/extended sets:
Some bands will offer a more flexible set arrangement and length, but some are very strict on their sets and will offer additional ones at a fee. You need to work out when you want the band to perform, and see which bands offer this arrangement. If you’re struggling to find one with a set arrangement that is suitable, then investigate adding sets on with shorter durations. However, be aware of the additional costs. It may prove easier to re-arrange your schedule.
13) Do they offer a DJ service:
Between the bands performances, they can offer a DJ service. This is where they can play either a pre-set playlist or have a manned DJ service and take requests from the guests. Their playlist will be in keeping with the theme of the wedding music, or different if requested. For example, some playlists may be strictly background music as opposed to party music. This is a good offer to have with a band, as they obviously only have certain sets where they perform, and there will be quieter periods in between. You want to keep the mood going, and this is the best thing to have. Lots of bands offer this as a free service, however, others may charge an additional fee. Keep an eye out!
14) Additional band members:
The band on their website/the entertainment agency may be presented as a trio, for example. You may love their style and sound but want a 5-piece band. This isn’t always an issue. Bands with additional band members can provide unique options of band structure i.e. adding a saxophonist or an extra lead singer. These will obviously cost an additional fee, nevertheless, your dream band may be possible!
15) Space limitations:
Depending on the venue size, bands may have a limited space in which they can perform. Some venues will have designated areas such as a stage or a platform. However, if there is no space available, then a band will have their equipment in the reception area among the guests. This is something you need to investigate when booking your venue, to see if they have the space for a band, and if so, how big the band can be.
16) Sound limitations:
A lot of venues with capabilities to have a live wedding band will have sound limiters. This means that if the band hits the sound limit, without dropping, for a certain amount of time, then the power is cut. The question to ask your venue is, “What DB (decibel) level is your sound limiter set to?”. This information can then be passed through to the band/agency to see if their band can deliver their performance within the limitations. Usually at the event, bands have a monitor visible to the performing area, which indicates the level they are playing at. You should always consider this when booking a band, as some bands may not be able to play if the limit is as low as 80DB for instance.
17) Food/room requirements:
If your chosen band plays for a certain amount of time, it is indicated that they must be provided with food and drinks. A lot of couples will incorporate the bands food into the general wedding food, or have the correct amount put to the side. Alternatively, the band could be ordered food from the venue restaurant or given money to go out and purchase food. As well as this, a band may require overnight rooms if they are playing exceptionally late, or are unable to travel back after a performance. All of this should be communicated beforehand and sorted in advance.
18) Travel costs:
This is only relevant if you are planning a destination wedding, or are hiring a band from a different country. You will be required to pay for all the bands flights to your destination. Insurance of instruments and equipment may also have to be purchased, but this is dependent on the band and existing insurance. This may be something to think about when deciding the size of the band you wish to hire. You don’t want a large band if your budget won’t allow for that many flights!
19) Equipment hire:
In some cases, instruments or equipment may have to be hired for the band. This is something that you may need to fund. You should consider where you can hire certain items from should the band need additional equipment. Depending on your venue, they may have sound systems or microphones that can be hired on site.
20) Public Liability Insurance:
A question to ask your band/agency, is if the band has Public Liability Insurance. This covers the cost of legal action and any claims of compensation against the band/agency if a third party is injured or there is damage to the property. This may also cover the costs of medical treatments and transportation. This shows that the band is reliable and that you can be confident that any issues would be dealt with.
I hope that this has helped anyone considering booking a wedding band! Now you should have everything you need to start searching!
