Hiring a wedding band is one of the trickiest jobs that you will have to do and requires caution. Otherwise, you will have to face a variety of negative consequences. If you are not careful to pick the right service provider, there is a possibility the entire reception could be ruined. That’s why we’ve put together these facts to decide upon BEFORE you hire your wedding band.
We make sure you won’t make any mistakes when it comes to selecting the right band to provide your entertainment needs for your big day!
Understand the Budget
Understanding the budget is of the utmost importance when hiring a wedding band. The old adage, “you get what you pay for” comes to mind. If your budget is limited, you can kiss that nationally known quality band goodbye, unless you have upwards of $5,000 to spend. If not, take a look at alternatives, such as hiring a DJ, see if your professional photographer has an all-inclusive package – such as Evengo and their singing waiters – to entertain your guests.
Plan Early
This goes without saying, especially during the summer months! Start planning early because there are 1000 other brides out there looking to book a band for their big day as well. If your wedding falls on a Saturday, you’re going to have a difficult time hiring a band, especially during the busy months between May and September.
If you can plan accordingly and get your band booked ahead of time, you will be able to choose the band you want. Once you secure the date and finalize the contract, that is one less thing you will need to worry about.
Create a List of Bands to Consider
If you do not have a specific band in mind, then you need to do some research. Check with friends who have recently gotten married and ask for recommendations. If they had a good experience with the band they hired, you can add them to the list. Some items you need to keep in mind while choosing your band:
- what type of music do they offer?
- is their entertainment style a fit for your wedding theme?
- how large is the band, and will your event space accommodate them?
- if the band size is too large, do they offer a smaller band size?
Once you have a list of bands that you think would be a good fit for your venue, it’s time to check out their websites and do some in-depth research.
Check the Band Website to Find Answers to Your Questions
A good, reputable band or DJ service, will be have the most important information on their website easily at your fingertips.
- do they have a website?
- do they have videos of past performances available?
- are they local to your venue?
- do they require a downpayment?
- what is their policy with regards to cancellations?
- do they have a manager whom you can contact with further questions?
Using the information that your prospective band has published on their website is just giving you the ability to narrow down your selection even further. They might be a great band, but if they only play country music and you are looking for a rhythm and soul band with a mix of Top 40 – they won’t be the right band for your event.
If you still have doubts after reviewing their website, there should be a manager or contact person who you can call to ask any additional questions you have remaining. Don’t hire a band just because time is running out – make sure that all your questions are satisfactorily answered and you are 100% confident in your choice before signing the dotted line of that contract.
Take a Look at the Live Shows
Seeing your prospective band performing at a live show enables you to see their ability to entertain and judge how the crowd is responding. Not only are they entertaining you, but your guests as well. Watching a live show, either in person or via YouTube, The Knot, or their own website, gives you a better picture of how the band engages with the audience.
Watching a live performance, however, gives you the chance to see how the band is engaging with the audience, whether they are lip-syncing to previously recorded songs, and whether they are a good fit for your needs. You don’t want to hire a band and then find out that they are pulling a Milli Vanilli on you!
Make Sure You Pick the Right Band
After you have checked and double-checked your band selections, attended a live showcase when available, this is when you need to ask yourself a few questions about the shortlist of bands you have before you that made the cut.
Once you’ve narrowed it down and made your selection, all that is left is to double-check that your notes are correct, and take the leap and hire the band to make your wedding a dream come true!
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