A wedding band can be an exciting alternative entertainment option to a DJ (although there’s nothing to stop you hiring both). Having live music on your special day could add to the atmosphere and help to make it a more memorable day for everyone. However, there are many things you must consider when hiring a band. Below are 10 tips for recruiting the best live music act for your wedding.
1) Set your budget
Start by considering how much money you’re willing to spend on a band. The cost of hiring a band varies greatly depending on the size of the band, their reputation, how far they have to travel and how long they will be playing for. In some cases, it’s possible to hire a band for less than $500. But most bands will charge upwards of $1000 – with the best quality bands expecting $5000 or more.
2) Select the right style of music
Once you’ve decided how much you’re willing to spend, consider what style of music you want your band to play. Are you looking for a rock band, a jazz band or maybe even a reggae band? Do you want a band that can play a mixture of genres? This will help you to narrow down your band choices. Some bands may be able to play quite a variety of songs, but may still play them in a certain style. Decide what type of genre will appeal to you and your guests the most.
3) Check reviews
You can now start searching for bands to hire. Perhaps one of the most important to consider when hiring a band is whether they are actually any good. Online reviews will give you a good idea as to how other people rate their music. Some band directories will have in-built review systems, while in other cases you may have to look up bands independently on Google. Remember to look for live music reviews – not single or album reviews.
4) Listen to them live
A great way to assess the quality of a band is to hear them live for yourself. It’s possible you may already know of a great local band that you’ve seen live at an event. If not, consider attending local live events for inspiration. Alternatively, you can search for bands online and see if any videos have been uploaded of them. Do they look and sound good in the video?
5) Make sure they have wedding experience
A band may have lots of experience playing at local venues, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll make a great wedding band. You need a band that can put together the right setlist and match the energy of your special day. If a band has had previous experience playing at weddings, you can trust that they’ll put on an appropriate performance and be able to coordinate with other wedding vendors. Some bands may specialize in playing at weddings, while others may have experience with a variety of events.
6) Verify availability early
The best bands often get booked up well in advance. This is why you may want to start looking 9 to 12 months in advance (especially if you’re getting married on the weekend), so that your date isn’t already taken. Even if you’re not certain that you want to book a particular band yet, consider contacting them early to verify their availability on your wedding day – they may still be able to reserve the date while you decide.
7) Understand pricing structures
Pricing can be a little bit of a maze – not all bands will use the same pricing structure. Some charge by the hour, while many others charge a flat fee for the day. Check that there are no hidden extras that you have to pay for such as travel expenses, setup fees or charges for additional musicians to join (some bands may do acoustic sets and electric sets – the latter may require more members). Ask for an invoice in advance so that you know exactly how much you have to pay. The majority of bands will not try to catch you out with hidden fees, but it’s worth getting it all agreed in writing just in case.
8) Evaluate their sound equipment
If your wedding venue does not provide sound equipment, you may want to consider looking for a band that can provide and set up all their own equipment. If not, you may need to look into a sound rental company to provide gear like speakers, microphones and a mixer. Understand that bands may charge extra fees for providing sound equipment. However, this may be cheaper than hiring a separate AV company. Make sure to relay any information about noise limits or power sources to the band. Some bands may request to visit the venue beforehand to get an idea of the setup required and many will need time to conduct a sound check.
9) Discuss song requests
Many bands will take song requests, but unlike a DJ, they may need to know these requests in advance so that they can learn the songs if they don’t know them already. In some cases, you may be able to work with a band to create a bespoke setlist. If there is a specific song that you really want to be played at your wedding (such as at the first dance), check that the band you are hiring can definitely play this song. If they don’t seem confident that they can learn it, consider looking for a band that may already know this track.
10) Inquire about meals for band members
It’s courteous to check whether your band will need feeding and to pay for their meals – especially if they’re there for the whole day. Some bands will be happy to eat before or after the event. Others may appreciate the offer of food, in which case you should check for any allergies or eating preferences. Make sure to tell your caterers so that they know exactly how much food to prepare.
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