A wedding is not complete without music. From the first song you and your partner share a dance to after the marriage is official to the many tunes that keep your guests on their feet, the right soundtrack makes all the difference. While plenty of couples prefer hiring a DJ, there is still a lot to be said for working with live entertainers. Under the right circumstances, a band can add a whole new dimension to your celebrations.
When hiring live entertainment for your big day, you can benefit from reviewing a handful of questions in advance. Look over these tips and learn how you can make the most out of using musicians for your wedding.
Questions To Ask Yourself
Before you start speaking with actual entertainers, you should think about a few points. Specifically, you have to consider the pros and cons of live musicians when compared to a DJ. Most bands will have a specific sound, whereas a DJ can capture whatever feeling you’d like by switching from one track to the next. This means that you should never book a band without first listening to the music. It doesn’t matter how good the reviews are or who recommends the option, listen to as many live examples as you can before moving forward.
If you’re throwing a wedding with a theme, then a band might actually enhance the experience in a few key ways. Musicians who capture an island sound may be the right people to score the events of a beach wedding. Similarly, a string quartet can add a touch of elegance to a wedding styled after a classic soiree. More often than not, however, couples hire bands that can cover a range of songs and keep the energy of the event high.
Questions for the Band
When looking over your options with live music, there are some key things to consider. First, you want to know how skilled the band members are. People who have been playing together for years will often be able to take on more requests and play a bigger variety than musicians who haven’t been on the scene long. Most entertainers will offer a catalog on their website that details all the songs they are able to play. Review this information thoroughly in order to get a firm understanding of what each band is capable of doing at your reception.
You also want to know how long the band can play without breaking. A DJ can press a button and let the computer take control of the night while guests eat or members of the wedding party give speeches. A live band will need to stop, rest, drink water, and eat as the night goes on. Bands that have been playing the wedding circuit for a while should be able to offer you specifics when it comes to the flow throughout the night. You may also want to talk about whether the band takes requests from guests.
Questions in the Event of an Emergency
You also want to cover a handful of points with a band representative centering on emergency situations. If one or several members of the band are unable to play, you want to know about the refund policy and what can be done instead. Some bands will be able to find replacement performers, while others may offer DJ services or other options as a way of compensating you for the loss. You should also discuss expenses that may not be directly mentioned, such as travel costs if you are hiring a band that is not local to the venue.
The more you consider before you hire live entertainment for your wedding, the easier it will be to feel confident in your decision. Come up with a checklist of questions to ask potential live entertainers and find the right band to play your big day.
Entertainment is a big component of your wedding reception. For some couples, the decision to book a DJ is easy. However, there are plenty of people who debate over hiring a live band to provide music for the night’s events. If this is a choice you’ve been deliberating, it is helpful to weigh the pros and cons. By poking around the ups and downs of the decision, you’ll have greater insight into how the service works and what you can expect.
Pro: A LiveBand Experience
Perhaps the biggest advantage to hiring a live band is that it is not a common decision anymore. Before the digital age, live music was par for the course at a wedding. If you’ve ever been to an event with a band instead of a DJ, you know how memorable the experience can be overall. A live band creates an electrifying and engaging performance that a DJ simply cannot compete with. While this is a great point to keep in mind, you need to base your final decision off more than just how unique the concept might be.
Con: An Expensive Decision
As expected, creating a memorable experience at your wedding is far from a cheap endeavor. The main reason people opt for a DJ over a live band is the price. With a DJ, you’re usually hiring one or two people to help provide you with music throughout the night. A live band, on the other hand, is comprised of a group of people. Unless you have a connection with someone in the band or they are very new to the scene, you can expect to put down a decent chunk of change for this service.
Pro: Guests More Likely To Have Fun
Getting some guests to get up and dance can be a serious challenge. Whether you’ve got older relatives who can’t get down with modern songs or your friends are the type who need coaxing to groove, live music makes it a lot easier to guarantee a good time. Live musicians feed off of an audience’s response. If the crowd isn’t dancing, the band will find a way to change things. When it comes to reading the room and adjusting the night’s music as needed, a live band can accomplish far more than you might expect.
Con: Playlist Will Not Be as Expansive
Ask any DJ and you’ll learn fast that requests are a huge part of providing entertainment at a wedding. Guests all have different tastes, and alcohol increases the odds of friends and family making demands of the DJ. The drawback of a live band is that requests are more difficult to accommodate. Though an exceptional cover band will be able to take on a good number of tracks, you’ll be able to provide a more robust selection of music when you’re working with an entertainer who has a laptop connected to the internet.
Pro and Con: Live Band Performers
A DJ is usually a silent fly on the wall, sometimes interjecting with messages from the couple or information about the night’s events. A live band, meanwhile, will have a bit more personality. This can be a pro or a con, depending on the band. Some performers know how to make the most of the time on stage. Others, sadly, take frequent breaks or try to outshine the happy couple in terms of grabbing for attention. Read reviews of the band in advance to get an idea of what you can expect in this regard.
Though entertainment is necessary for a wedding to be complete, you want to be certain you enjoy whichever act you decide to book. Though it might be enticing, be sure you know what you’re getting into when hiring a live band. While there is no correct answer, understanding the advantages and disadvantages does make the decision more clear.
Choosing the right wedding entertainment is key for your wedding. Thankfully, there are a few easy questions you can ask to make your journey a bit easier.
Music plays a big part on the day of your wedding. From the tune that scores your walk down the aisle to the beats that get your guests up and dancing during the reception, the music you select for your big day is important. While you might know that picking the right wedding entertainment is a big deal, you might not know how to go about the process in the most efficient way. Thankfully, there are a few easy questions you can ask to make your journey a bit easier.
Look over some of these tips on how to interview potential candidates for your wedding entertainment. A little help may give you all the information you require for success.
Preliminary Discussions
There are many different methods you can use to find musical candidates for your wedding. These days, most people tend to search online in order to discover new and exciting options. When you browse the web for vendors, you often will run across the entertainers’ official websites. More often than not, the DJ or band you are researching will have audio or video samples on their sites to help potential clients get a better feel for the kind of entertainment provided. Listening can help you get a feel for a candidate’s style and musical preference.
Of course, there might be a handful of entertainers who do not provide any samples on their websites. If this is the case, then you need to reach out to the DJ or band and ask relevant questions. Ask them how they would describe their own styles, and see if their descriptions align with your musicical preferences. Another great option is taking a trip with your partner to watch this entertainer perform. This will give you a perfect idea of whether this is the right person for the job.
Equipment
After you’ve gotten a good feel for the style of the wedding entertainment you are considering, you want to get a bit more technical. At this point in your planning process, you most likely have an idea of what venue you will be using for your big day. Share this information with the entertainers you are thinking about using. For example, a small venue might have awkward acoustics, and a live band may need to bring additional equipment.
Musicians can play in almost any location, but most of them are going to need forewarning. Certain quirks can disrupt the way sound travels through a space. Allowing your entertainers to get a feel for the venue in advance can help to illuminate any potential issues the musicians might encounter. Having this information can help your band or DJ know what equipment to bring on the day of your wedding to avoid any sound-related snafus.
Wedding Entertainment Wish List
Finally, you absolutely want to discuss your playlist with your wedding entertainment. It is likely that you want them to play a few specific songs. Maybe your family has a personal connection to “California Dreamin’” by the Mamas and the Papas. Make sure your entertainer can play it when the mood is right. Discuss your personal requests in advance with your musicians. This allows a cover band plenty of time to learn the tune, and it gives a DJ a chance to find a digital copy of the track he or she can spin.
Without music, most weddings would not be nearly as exciting to attend. Tunes and beats set a mood, and the right tracks when it’s time to dance can help your guests have a great time. Choosing the right entertainers for your big day is all about taking your time, doing proper research, and selecting the best pick based on your personal criteria.
Your wedding DJ can help you craft the perfect soundtrack for your wedding, so picking one with the right experience and flexibility is important.
Music is one of the more important elements of your wedding. Though you might spend a lot of time selecting décor, signature drinks, and flowers, guests are more likely to remember what music played throughout the course of the event. While you may believe you have excellent taste in tunes, a quick examination of your iTunes library might prove otherwise. Luckily, you and your partner are not going to be solely responsible for selecting the soundtrack of the evening. In most cases, the task will be left to the DJ you select for your needs.
Before you hire a DJ, you might want to ask a few important questions of your potential candidates. Having a clear idea of what an entertainer can offer and how successful he or she has been in the past can help you in making your final selection. Look over a few of these questions to ask DJs before you hire anyone, and you might have an easier time finding the right fit for your special day.
Experience Required
As with any vendor or service provider you work with, you want to get a solid understanding of this individual’s previous experiences. The longer someone has worked in a specific field, the more likely he or she knows how to go above and beyond during a wedding. Right away, speak with potential candidates about their previous experiences and how many events they have provided music for. Getting a feel for this can help you determine if the person is a qualified individual for your needs.
Seeing is believing, as they say, so you might find it most helpful to ask your candidates for a bit of proof. A DJ who tells you he has worked hundreds of weddings in the past might simply be exaggerating in order to get your business. A great way to get an actual idea of how a DJ will perform at your event is by asking for video from previous jobs. Most DJs will have video clips ready to show potential clients, so be sure to take note of any DJs who seem surprised by your request.
DJ Selection Process
Your DJ is also going to be a powerful resource for you as you move through additional phases of planning for your wedding. Many moments of your reception need to be underscored by music. When you have absolutely no idea what tune to play for specific moments, you are going to need help from someone who has a better idea. When you trust your DJ and his or her tastes, you have a perfect resource available to help you find an ideal soundtrack for each and every aspect of the night.
Before hiring any potential candidate, be sure to ask about whether the person can help you with picking songs. Though most DJs are more than happy to help in this regard, there are also several candidates out there who do not like to get involved with song selection. Should you need this help desperately, be sure to opt for a candidate who can actually deliver on assistance.
Requests
Finally, you need to think about requests. Some couples do not like to give guests the power of requesting songs, as it can disrupt the flow of the night. Still, you might want to allow the people at your wedding a bit of control. Regardless of what your personal preference might be, you need to make sure your DJ allows requests. Ask this early and come up with your own plan from there.
Giving your event the right soundtrack is all about picking a DJ you love. In order to feel confident in your decision, be sure to meet with your candidates early and talk through any important questions you might have about services.
A wedding is not complete without music. From the first song you and your partner share a dance to after the marriage is official to the many tunes that keep your guests on their feet, the right soundtrack makes all the difference. While plenty of couples prefer hiring a DJ, there is still a lot to be said for working with live entertainers. Under the right circumstances, a band can add a whole new dimension to your celebrations.
When hiring live entertainment for your big day, you can benefit from reviewing a handful of questions in advance. Look over these tips and learn how you can make the most out of using musicians for your wedding.
Questions To Ask Yourself
Before you start speaking with actual entertainers, you should think about a few points. Specifically, you have to consider the pros and cons of live musicians when compared to a DJ. Most bands will have a specific sound, whereas a DJ can capture whatever feeling you’d like by switching from one track to the next. This means that you should never book a band without first listening to the music. It doesn’t matter how good the reviews are or who recommends the option, listen to as many live examples as you can before moving forward.
If you’re throwing a wedding with a theme, then a band might actually enhance the experience in a few key ways. Musicians who capture an island sound may be the right people to score the events of a beach wedding. Similarly, a string quartet can add a touch of elegance to a wedding styled after a classic soiree. More often than not, however, couples hire bands that can cover a range of songs and keep the energy of the event high.
Questions for the Band
When looking over your options with live music, there are some key things to consider. First, you want to know how skilled the band members are. People who have been playing together for years will often be able to take on more requests and play a bigger variety than musicians who haven’t been on the scene long. Most entertainers will offer a catalog on their website that details all the songs they are able to play. Review this information thoroughly in order to get a firm understanding of what each band is capable of doing at your reception.
You also want to know how long the band can play without breaking. A DJ can press a button and let the computer take control of the night while guests eat or members of the wedding party give speeches. A live band will need to stop, rest, drink water, and eat as the night goes on. Bands that have been playing the wedding circuit for a while should be able to offer you specifics when it comes to the flow throughout the night. You may also want to talk about whether the band takes requests from guests.
Questions in the Event of an Emergency
You also want to cover a handful of points with a band representative centering on emergency situations. If one or several members of the band are unable to play, you want to know about the refund policy and what can be done instead. Some bands will be able to find replacement performers, while others may offer DJ services or other options as a way of compensating you for the loss. You should also discuss expenses that may not be directly mentioned, such as travel costs if you are hiring a band that is not local to the venue.
The more you consider before you hire live entertainment for your wedding, the easier it will be to feel confident in your decision. Come up with a checklist of questions to ask potential live entertainers and find the right band to play your big day.
Entertainment is a big component of your wedding reception. For some couples, the decision to book a DJ is easy. However, there are plenty of people who debate over hiring a live band to provide music for the night’s events. If this is a choice you’ve been deliberating, it is helpful to weigh the pros and cons. By poking around the ups and downs of the decision, you’ll have greater insight into how the service works and what you can expect.
Pro: A LiveBand Experience
Perhaps the biggest advantage to hiring a live band is that it is not a common decision anymore. Before the digital age, live music was par for the course at a wedding. If you’ve ever been to an event with a band instead of a DJ, you know how memorable the experience can be overall. A live band creates an electrifying and engaging performance that a DJ simply cannot compete with. While this is a great point to keep in mind, you need to base your final decision off more than just how unique the concept might be.
Con: An Expensive Decision
As expected, creating a memorable experience at your wedding is far from a cheap endeavor. The main reason people opt for a DJ over a live band is the price. With a DJ, you’re usually hiring one or two people to help provide you with music throughout the night. A live band, on the other hand, is comprised of a group of people. Unless you have a connection with someone in the band or they are very new to the scene, you can expect to put down a decent chunk of change for this service.
Pro: Guests More Likely To Have Fun
Getting some guests to get up and dance can be a serious challenge. Whether you’ve got older relatives who can’t get down with modern songs or your friends are the type who need coaxing to groove, live music makes it a lot easier to guarantee a good time. Live musicians feed off of an audience’s response. If the crowd isn’t dancing, the band will find a way to change things. When it comes to reading the room and adjusting the night’s music as needed, a live band can accomplish far more than you might expect.
Con: Playlist Will Not Be as Expansive
Ask any DJ and you’ll learn fast that requests are a huge part of providing entertainment at a wedding. Guests all have different tastes, and alcohol increases the odds of friends and family making demands of the DJ. The drawback of a live band is that requests are more difficult to accommodate. Though an exceptional cover band will be able to take on a good number of tracks, you’ll be able to provide a more robust selection of music when you’re working with an entertainer who has a laptop connected to the internet.
Pro and Con: Live Band Performers
A DJ is usually a silent fly on the wall, sometimes interjecting with messages from the couple or information about the night’s events. A live band, meanwhile, will have a bit more personality. This can be a pro or a con, depending on the band. Some performers know how to make the most of the time on stage. Others, sadly, take frequent breaks or try to outshine the happy couple in terms of grabbing for attention. Read reviews of the band in advance to get an idea of what you can expect in this regard.
Though entertainment is necessary for a wedding to be complete, you want to be certain you enjoy whichever act you decide to book. Though it might be enticing, be sure you know what you’re getting into when hiring a live band. While there is no correct answer, understanding the advantages and disadvantages does make the decision more clear.
Choosing the right wedding entertainment is key for your wedding. Thankfully, there are a few easy questions you can ask to make your journey a bit easier.
Music plays a big part on the day of your wedding. From the tune that scores your walk down the aisle to the beats that get your guests up and dancing during the reception, the music you select for your big day is important. While you might know that picking the right wedding entertainment is a big deal, you might not know how to go about the process in the most efficient way. Thankfully, there are a few easy questions you can ask to make your journey a bit easier.
Look over some of these tips on how to interview potential candidates for your wedding entertainment. A little help may give you all the information you require for success.
Preliminary Discussions
There are many different methods you can use to find musical candidates for your wedding. These days, most people tend to search online in order to discover new and exciting options. When you browse the web for vendors, you often will run across the entertainers’ official websites. More often than not, the DJ or band you are researching will have audio or video samples on their sites to help potential clients get a better feel for the kind of entertainment provided. Listening can help you get a feel for a candidate’s style and musical preference.
Of course, there might be a handful of entertainers who do not provide any samples on their websites. If this is the case, then you need to reach out to the DJ or band and ask relevant questions. Ask them how they would describe their own styles, and see if their descriptions align with your musicical preferences. Another great option is taking a trip with your partner to watch this entertainer perform. This will give you a perfect idea of whether this is the right person for the job.
Equipment
After you’ve gotten a good feel for the style of the wedding entertainment you are considering, you want to get a bit more technical. At this point in your planning process, you most likely have an idea of what venue you will be using for your big day. Share this information with the entertainers you are thinking about using. For example, a small venue might have awkward acoustics, and a live band may need to bring additional equipment.
Musicians can play in almost any location, but most of them are going to need forewarning. Certain quirks can disrupt the way sound travels through a space. Allowing your entertainers to get a feel for the venue in advance can help to illuminate any potential issues the musicians might encounter. Having this information can help your band or DJ know what equipment to bring on the day of your wedding to avoid any sound-related snafus.
Wedding Entertainment Wish List
Finally, you absolutely want to discuss your playlist with your wedding entertainment. It is likely that you want them to play a few specific songs. Maybe your family has a personal connection to “California Dreamin’” by the Mamas and the Papas. Make sure your entertainer can play it when the mood is right. Discuss your personal requests in advance with your musicians. This allows a cover band plenty of time to learn the tune, and it gives a DJ a chance to find a digital copy of the track he or she can spin.
Without music, most weddings would not be nearly as exciting to attend. Tunes and beats set a mood, and the right tracks when it’s time to dance can help your guests have a great time. Choosing the right entertainers for your big day is all about taking your time, doing proper research, and selecting the best pick based on your personal criteria.
Your wedding DJ can help you craft the perfect soundtrack for your wedding, so picking one with the right experience and flexibility is important.
Music is one of the more important elements of your wedding. Though you might spend a lot of time selecting décor, signature drinks, and flowers, guests are more likely to remember what music played throughout the course of the event. While you may believe you have excellent taste in tunes, a quick examination of your iTunes library might prove otherwise. Luckily, you and your partner are not going to be solely responsible for selecting the soundtrack of the evening. In most cases, the task will be left to the DJ you select for your needs.
Before you hire a DJ, you might want to ask a few important questions of your potential candidates. Having a clear idea of what an entertainer can offer and how successful he or she has been in the past can help you in making your final selection. Look over a few of these questions to ask DJs before you hire anyone, and you might have an easier time finding the right fit for your special day.
Experience Required
As with any vendor or service provider you work with, you want to get a solid understanding of this individual’s previous experiences. The longer someone has worked in a specific field, the more likely he or she knows how to go above and beyond during a wedding. Right away, speak with potential candidates about their previous experiences and how many events they have provided music for. Getting a feel for this can help you determine if the person is a qualified individual for your needs.
Seeing is believing, as they say, so you might find it most helpful to ask your candidates for a bit of proof. A DJ who tells you he has worked hundreds of weddings in the past might simply be exaggerating in order to get your business. A great way to get an actual idea of how a DJ will perform at your event is by asking for video from previous jobs. Most DJs will have video clips ready to show potential clients, so be sure to take note of any DJs who seem surprised by your request.
DJ Selection Process
Your DJ is also going to be a powerful resource for you as you move through additional phases of planning for your wedding. Many moments of your reception need to be underscored by music. When you have absolutely no idea what tune to play for specific moments, you are going to need help from someone who has a better idea. When you trust your DJ and his or her tastes, you have a perfect resource available to help you find an ideal soundtrack for each and every aspect of the night.
Before hiring any potential candidate, be sure to ask about whether the person can help you with picking songs. Though most DJs are more than happy to help in this regard, there are also several candidates out there who do not like to get involved with song selection. Should you need this help desperately, be sure to opt for a candidate who can actually deliver on assistance.
Requests
Finally, you need to think about requests. Some couples do not like to give guests the power of requesting songs, as it can disrupt the flow of the night. Still, you might want to allow the people at your wedding a bit of control. Regardless of what your personal preference might be, you need to make sure your DJ allows requests. Ask this early and come up with your own plan from there.
Giving your event the right soundtrack is all about picking a DJ you love. In order to feel confident in your decision, be sure to meet with your candidates early and talk through any important questions you might have about services.
