The most important step in wedding planning is choosing a live wedding band. It’s something that you’ll want to do right.
Music can make all of the difference and is more than just a backdrop for the proceedings. A wedding band that has the right experience can set a mood and tone for the entire day. This acts as both a musical centerpiece and catalyst, helping to create the right atmosphere and adding energy to the moment.
Finding the right wedding band that suits your style is not difficult. That’s why we have put together this handy guide.
We’ve broken down the decision-making process for you in simple blocks. This allows you to skip to the parts that matter to your most and return to it later, once you have reached that point in the process.
UNDERSTAND YOUR VISION
It is not easy to plan a wedding. However, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your dream of a beautiful day. Yes, we all have to make realistic decisions about cost and expense but the overall theme and style of your wedding should reflect your vision.
A big band performing throughout the day, or the best musicians in jazz, may be too expensive. However, you might consider hiring a live music band for your wedding. This will allow you to customize their performance to your specific theme. This is about you selecting the band as much as they choosing you. It should also be about how you like them to perform.
It is important to choose a wedding band that can be flexible to your needs.
How can you do this? This is a stage where you may only be researching and not in any way engaging in discussion with the band. For this reason, you should visit their website, look at the video and images on their YouTube channel and social media channels, and see what type of image they present. This will let you get a feel for their performances and give you some insight into their technical abilities.
The live wedding band is just as important as the setting, the flowers and the bridal gown.
Roles
Clearly define what you desire from your band. Many live weeding band prefer to be active in the proceedings. Be sure to ask. Is it background music, announcements of the bride and groom on the first dance song at the reception? Do you want the DJ to communicate with the audience and/or play a set without interruptions for the event? Do you want them involved in getting people involved, or to simply create a sense of peace that surrounds your event? You’ll be on your best path to choosing the right event if you get these questions right.
Choosing The Music
Although most brides will know the music they are looking for, that doesn’t mean that they’ll be able to create a playlist. The band will be more familiar with classical and popular music than you are, so take advantage of that knowledge. If you give an experienced wedding band a few tips, they will be able provide a list of suggestions, some of which might surprise you.
Pacing
It’s a factor that matters more than you might think. The pacing of a live band for wedding can make a difference in whether an event is sluggish or fast. So you might have times when one option is better. To create a romantic and timeless setting, you could go slow and flow or fast and rhythmic. This will keep guests entertained and allow them to transition between events. Discover the approach that the band you’re considering takes to this important skill.
EXPERIENCE
Which band members have the most experience? How long has the band been playing together for? What is the band’s musicianship quality and experience playing at weddings like yours? What ever the important questions may be, ensure that you hire a band with a lot of experience playing at weddings like yours.
Also, it is possible to determine if a band meets industry standards, how unique they present themselves, and what genres they can play at events.
Another option is to choose a performer/artist of choice. This can add a special touch to your event and allow them to impress the audience with their talent and creativity. It is important to remember that artists who are independent of their own artistic sensibilities are less likely than others to be divergent from them and that you will be choosing them more or lesser based on their merits.
This is not to be confused with the fact that you may like a band, or have been recommended by one. It might be a good idea just to let go of your personal feelings and take a look at their abilities and suitability. You can avoid disappointment later by taking a wider view at this stage.
AGENCIES
Consider hiring a live entertainment booking agent. While some individuals may love the challenge of overseeing every detail of their day they may prefer to outsource this task to someone who is more experienced. If you feel this is the right approach, you may even be able to ask for feedback from a previous client. A good agent can suggest musicians and artists that fit your style, but it comes at a cost. This may mean that you pay more than what you planned. If you choose to go this route, be prepared to pay 20% extra for the band booking fee. Also, be ready to share less intimate moments with the band. This could be a blessing depending on your level and involvement. It is important to establish trust with the agency. They will do their best to give you the best experience. It is possible to find agencies through a website search, niche directories and even the recommendation of the venue.
REVIEWS
It’s easy to gauge the band’s appeal by looking through client testimonials, reviewing engagement on social media and recording live performances at weddings. You can ask for a demo of the band or refer to them. This gives you peace-of-mind and allows you to feel confident.
Don’t be shy to ask for a positive review. It may be that there is a valid reason why one client wasn’t satisfied with the service. But it might not apply to you. A long list with negative reviews is almost always a warning sign and should be handled with care.
BOOKING THE BAND
Sometimes it’s tempting to wait until the last moment to book a band, but this can be costly. First of all, the bad people will need to hear your requests. And, maybe even more important, they might already be full booked for the season.
This is a great tip. Keep a detailed wedding diary. You won’t be tempted not to remember this important detail. Do not be afraid to invite your band to help you plan the wedding. They may have useful tips to share that will take the stress off your shoulders. If they are familiar with the venue, or can help with playlists, that’s a great thing. This is where communication is key. Make sure you communicate with your band early so they are prepared.
Advance bookings are possible at a reduced cost. Book early so you don’t miss out.
Be sure to check with the band about the dates before going. They may have an engagement that you are interested in.
You should also inquire about off peak discounts if your wedding takes place ‘outside of season’.
BUDGET
While you should set your maximum budget before talking to the band members, it is important that you allow for flexibility in the early planning stages. Your budget might not be what you expected, but it is possible to find a good deal by shopping around. Do not base the booking solely on cost. This is one example where the old saying “if you don’t pay peanuts, you get monkeys”. You should also consider the time of year when bookings are made. Expect to pay more in peak seasons.
The big names will always be more expensive but if that is what you are looking for, you will likely be willing to put in a larger budget.
INSURANCE
You can’t plan everything. Unforeseen circumstances may happen. Be sure to read the terms and condition of any band you are considering hiring. This is the basic information of band hiring. Although it’s unlikely that you’ll have to resort, it’s better to be prepared.
Band insurance protects the artist and you against unneeded expenditure. You won’t regret your decision if you have to make a change.
VENUE/EQUIPMENT
Before you choose a live wedding band, make sure to book the venue you wish the band to play at. It may seem obvious but the reasons for this are often overlooked.
First, do the venues have the capacity to hold the band you want? Sometimes smaller venues will require smaller lines-ups. Space may be limited.
The band may be able to answer your questions about technical issues such as whether or not they require a stage. You should ask the band about their stage dimensions and whether they need power sockets to charge all of their equipment. Also, any special lighting or equipment they may use that might have an effect on the venue.
Ask the band if they have experience at the venue. This can lead to smoother experiences and greater peace.
If smoking and alcohol are permitted, you will need to plan ahead.
Additional considerations include whether the venue is indoors or in a marquee. In these cases, certain restrictions might apply.
Also, make sure to check out any parking restrictions the band has as they may not have easy access to the stage area if the space is too tight.
Some bands ask to display a banner bearing their name, or have visual imagery projected behind them. You should make sure that you have everything covered. Unwitting surprises will not benefit either of you.
Make sure you check the availability of the venue. They may require setup time, system and sound checks that you don’t want to miss.
Inquire about any special equipment and if the band plans to use wireless mics. This can increase engagement with guests, allow for greater freedom of movement and allow others to take the microphone when necessary.
THEMING and VISUAL APPEAL
Thank you for sticking with us through this journey. This section is a great place to start if this is your first time. We think it’s one the most important sections of the entire show. We’re done with the technicalities and now we can look at the essence of a band. This includes their energy, style or presence.
A variety of bands are skilled at covering songs for weddings. However, others have their own original musical compositions that they approve. If you have a particular artist in mind, then you will likely want the latter. But if you love the familiarity of a song that brings your guests to the dancefloor, then the covers band is the one to choose.
It all comes down to personal preference and your preferred style. The perfect wedding band is like the final piece to the puzzle. They bring your theme to life and add a harmonious energy. The band’s sound is an underlying theme that will be present throughout the event. This vibe should match yours and the music of your guests.
You can listen to the band playing, observe how they interact and how they interact when performing. Also, pay attention to the energy that they emit when they are just doing their thing, which is singing your favorite music. It may seem that you should follow your heart and not your head. However, this is the essence of what a band is all about. Their musical taste and passion creates an unmistakable atmosphere, which will make your wedding memorable.
From the aural to visual sense, pay attention to the band’s stage presentation. This includes their dress code, attitude on stage and use of colours. Many bands will adapt to your style, but it’s worth seeing how they perform in their home environment. Visit the website of the band to see their most recent videos. You can also browse their YouTube channel and view footage from past events.
You will also be able to gauge their interaction with the wedding guests, such as whether they use MCing to motivate the crowd or if they do it as part of the act. Even if they don’t have a singer, it may be worth considering a band without one. In any case, the ideal live wedding band will exude a confidence that is unmatched and will be thrilling for everyone to witness.
You might also want to consider whether a wedding DJ is available for an evening, so guests can have fun and dance or if they would like to keep going until the early hours. Although this decision is entirely personal, a professional wedding DJ can really get the party started.
Each piece of this puzzle can have a huge impact on guests’ experience.
PLAYLISTS
How can we have made it this far without talking about playlists? Okay, so we already mentioned how the band can help choose playlists. Now let’s dive deeper.
The best playlists can be arranged in a holistic way to make the night more memorable. It’s impossible to please all musical tastes, so it’s worth talking to your guests about what music they enjoy. You can even select different genres for the playlists at different stages in the day to add some fun dynamic to the occasion.
Even though you don’t have to please everyone it is important to engage guests with a variety of musical tastes. Variety is the key to keeping the party lively with old and new songs. So, unless your guests are very close to a specific musical scene, it would not make sense to choose playlists that you don’t like. However, it doesn’t matter what genre you choose, the event wouldn’t be complete without your favorite dance songs or club tunes. These songs resonate well with guests of all ages, regardless of their age.
WEDDING FIRST TANCE SONGS
The wedding first song is possibly the most important song on the day. In a previous post we reviewed some popular choices. Feel free to refer back to that post for more suggestions. This song may be difficult due to its weight but it is the one you love the most. It’s either something you already know or it will feel right. It doesn’t matter what, just follow your heart. Make sure your band knows the song and is comfortable with it. Give them plenty of time for rehearsals. It might be one of the most important pillars of your entire day’s memories.
Whatever playlist or opinion you decide on, the bottom line is that everyone should be able enjoy themselves regardless what music they like.
You should also consider the do not-play list. It lists songs that you will not allow to play on your special day. This is a good idea as it could lead to a playlist that’s too long for the allocated time. You can ask a friend or colleague to help you decide which songs should be deleted and which songs should make it into your final playlist. You can also save the songs that you are still unable to decide on, in case you need them.
Give yourself plenty of time, this may take a lot longer than you thought.
PLAYING
Imagine how many sets you’d like the band play. A lot of bands typically play two sets with a break in the middle. It is possible to hire a wedding DJ, but it is also possible that the band will have suitable recordings available to fill in the gaps. You can ensure that your guests are entertained at all times by having different band members perform at each stage.
You might also wish to make the transition to a Wedding DJ towards the end to allow the band time to recover. Both having the band play through and having a backup DJ are acceptable options. As long as everything is planned properly.
TRUST & RAPORT
These tips should help you to make the best choice when it comes to choosing the perfect band for you and your partner on your wedding day.
We urge you to select a live wedding band which is both flexible and highly valued for what it does.
Keep in mind that this is your day. They should be able to understand your goals and feel your passions. It is much easier to have a connection with a band than it to force them into a different mold.
Communication is vital to making the experience enjoyable. So make sure everyone has all the information they need and that you are clear on payments and who is responsible for what.
Building trust with your partner can help you relax.
You can request a liaison person to assist with any band requests on the day if you feel it necessary. So you can be sure the event runs smoothly.
FINALLY
All in all, your wedding is about you. And you want it to be a memorable day for you and everyone else. If you choose wisely, the best live wedding band can be the crowning jewel to suit your personal style.
