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.
