Wedding Bands (Music, Not Rings)…
T-minus 10 weeks.
Yes, it’s getting close. That thing that seemed like it was an age away when we booked the venue is coming closer, looming like a brilliant, scary, daunting and fantastic thing on the horizon.
It all seems to be happening so fast… confirmations of bookings, things that we’ve ordered are arriving, and that wedding spreadsheet that I was talking about last time is creaking at the seams. This week I wanted to pick on something that we have finally sorted, after a brief hiccup – the wedding music.
You're doing something right if your wedding photos look like this...
Choosing a band is, I reckon, an important part of making your wedding a success and a night that your guests are going to really enjoy. It’s also likely to be a big part of your budget, as comparable a chunk of cash as your booze or catering for the day. Prices seem to range from £800-£2500 for a night’s entertainment, so getting it right is really important.
Of course, the kind of thing you book is very much down to your taste in music, but my advice would be not to be too picky. I am a self confessed music snob so getting the band right is really important to me, but at the end of the day if people aren’t into the kind of thing you are, you’ll have an empty dance floor.
We thought we’d got ours right – Emma had seen a great band at her office Christmas party who we had booked – until they pulled out a couple of weeks back. ‘Sorting the Band’ was a job on the list with my name on it, and so one which I was not about to balls up – so when they decided they couldn’t play at our wedding, it was action stations for a few short days.
I took a blanket approach towards finding someone new – giant mug of coffee, a big pad of paper, my email, and Google – and in two short hours I had made enquiries about the availability of about 20 different bands, conscious that we only have 2 months to go and that it was relatively short notice.
NOTE: If your band plays 'The Conga', this may be the outcome.
I have to say, I was impressed with the response – before the end of the evening I had had 2 personal email replies (both “no”s), and the day after I had replies from most of the agencies I had contacted. One of the agencies – www.actsharp.co.uk – responded almost immediately after I had enquired about seven of their acts. A quick consultation with the boss and we chose a band who play what seems like very inclusive party music that everyone will enjoy (especailly Aunty Heather and Uncle Nutter after a few Riojas).
I was also impressed to find an envelope from another of the agencies I had contacted (www.functionjunction.co.uk) on the doormat after work later in the week containing a couple of demo CDs, with tracks by the bands I had enquired about. By this point we’d already picked our band but I thought this was a great touch nontheless.
So, here are my Top DOs and DON’Ts (always wanted to have some of those) for organising a wedding band/DJ:
- DO pick a band that everyone will enjoy – yes, you might compromise both of your tastes in Swedish thrash metal / Cornish folk punk but at least people will dance (and people like cheese)!
- DON’T underestimate the cost of the band/DJ in your budget – if you live in Newcastle and want to book a band from London you will have to pay for their travel!
- DO remember to check with your venue about where they will go. Obviously a DJ doesnt take up much space but a 12-piece swing band will. And check about noise levels – some venues may have decibel limiters that cut the power!
- DON’T forget that musicians are people too – they will need feeding and watering just like your guests.
- DO make sure that the band will take care of your music between their sets – we’re planning on giving ours an iPod with some stuff on but many provide their own.
- DON’T try and look after the band yourselves once at the wedding – make sure one of your ushers/bestman/bridesmaid is tasked with letting them in, getting them set up, and sorting out their food.
- DO get recommendations. Ask co-workers, friends and relatives and I guarentee that you’ll get some suggestions.
Ultimately, we want our wedding to go with a bang and for us, good music is a huge part of that. I have to say though, if you do your homework and look around properly, it’s something that can be booked without too much hassle.
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Excellent, common sense approach. Good to hear. I know in your particular case time was of the essence but wherever possible DO go and see the band live. The difference between a demo and the live thing can sometimes be ear achingly massive.
x
Music will always play a very important role in wedding parties! And your advice about getting one are all things that should be considered when thinking about hiring a band. Thanks for that! :)
Nice post. Music and entertainment in general are great ways to add to the party atmosphere. And you can always hire several bands, acts and entertainers to meet budget requirements. I went to a party where there was a DJ for the night, plus a rock’n'roll band, a vocal group and a soul singer!
All good advice. I would go one further and suggest that rather than your usher/best man/bridesmaids/pets letting the the band or singer in to set up, it should be the act themselves who liaise with your venue. Obviously, if you have some specific requirements, these will need to be discussed but that shouldn’t be on the day.
It also helps if you can give the band background information of yourself and your guests, so they get an idea of their audience. Telling them mum loves to jive and daddy loves to rock and roll will already give them a few great songs to play.
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