Is It worth Getting A Live Wedding Band?
There is no doubt about it planning even a simple wedding is a big deal. There are so many aspects of the day to be concerned with, not to mention the all-important reception! The details will take a good deal of hard work and one of the most essential details of your reception will be the music.
There are two ways you can go, the DJ or the wedding band. Most people prefer the wedding band because they can give the whole reception a little more spark. There are certain things that you will want to look for when hiring your wedding band though.
Your first order of business is to check out any wedding band at a live event. Generally speaking, most bands will have paid public gigs to supplement their private ones, so be sure to ask about their performance schedule. You can also request their demo CD or even better a video of their performance. All of these previews can give you a good sense of whether the wedding band is right for you.
The internet can be a big help when looking for or previewing a wedding band. Many will have their own site complete with videos, pictures and music samples for you to listen to and evaluate. With this kind of resource, you will get a better idea of how professional a particular wedding band looks.
In addition to images and videos, you will also often find testimonials on the site from previous customers. This will give you an idea of how other customers felt about the band. The site should also list all the songs, or at least the majority, that the band knows and plays well which is important information.
Go with a band whose sound many people will enjoy. For instance, something like progressive jazz music or heavy rock may be too specific a genre to go with. Something such as 70’s soul or disco music is entertaining for most ages.
Pricing is a very important part of this whole process, and will play a big role in the wedding band you decide upon. Earnings should be discussed up front with the band manager and once you have hit upon a price, sign a contract to that effect. Generally, you will be required to pay an upfront non-refundable deposit in order to hold your position.
A week before your wedding, you should phone the wedding band to verify the details of your event. You also want to make sure that their wardrobe is suitable for your reception and that they know what time to show up and set up to play their tunes.
Since the wedding band has probably traveled quite a ways to perform for your reception, it is proper to provide them with a meal. Last but not least, make sure you have provided the wedding band with an accurate run down of events, this way they will be able to more naturally flow with what you have planned.
Selecting A Wedding Band