One of the most important parts of any party is the music, and your wedding is no exception. The entertainment you choose sets the tone and can determine whether or not your guests have fun. In fact, 95% of guests in a recent Wedding Wire survey said that music selection determines whether or not they have fun at a wedding.
Having live music is a great way to both energize and bring class to your wedding. From a string quartet providing an elegant soundtrack to your ceremony to an 8-piece band pumping 80s rock at your reception, the sound of a live band instantly creates a killer vibe.
However, there are a lot of wedding bands to choose from. As you evaluate your wedding band choices, here are some questions to ask so you can find the perfect music for your wedding.
How long have they been playing weddings together?
Have you ever gone to a concert and the musicians seem to gel so well, it looks like they’ve been performing together forever? That same principle applies to your wedding band, so it’s important to ask how long they’ve been playing weddings together. Some corporate entertainment companies will throw freelance musicians together every weekend who may have never played together before, which can result in a lack of energy and missing out on that tight sound you get from wedding band musicians who have been together for years.
What instruments do they have?
Asking the band what instruments they offer can help you figure out what sound to expect as well as the variety of songs you’ll find in their song list. Generally speaking, a wedding band has the following instrumentation:
The rhythm section: essential for any band, this includes the keyboard, bass, drums, guitar.
Vocals: the number of male, female and backup vocals can help you determine the song variety and depth of sound the band will have (more on this later).
Horns: saxophone, trumpet, and trombone are the horn instruments your wedding band may offer. Adding just one of these instruments to your band can make a big difference to the overall sound, but a whole horn section is essential if Big Band, Swing, and Standards are a part of your song list.
Other common instruments: violin, flute, clarinet, flugelhorn, accordion, and acoustic and electronic percussion are other instruments that can add a rich texture to your wedding band.
Do they have a male and female vocalist?
Having both male and female vocalists is important to provide a wide variety of repertoire at your wedding. After all, don’t you want Whitney Houston as well as Steve Perry? It’s also important for both a contrast in lead vocals as well as in backup vocals for harmonies and enriching the overall sound.
Can they learn new songs?
In addition to a great vocal performance, you also want the band to create the sound of the original arrangement you love. This often requires the bandleader to possess musical transcription skills, musical arranging techniques, vocal backup organization, and synthesizer/electronic programming. The art of capturing the essence of the original song version and adapting it to the band instrumentation in the live performance is no easy feat!
The ability to arrange songs is also important if you want custom-length versions of certain songs, such as your special dances. Often, shorter songs are preferred for the father/daughter dance, groom/mother dance, and even the first dance.
Do they have an emcee?
Emcee services are an important part of your wedding’s flow. People need to know when the toasts will happen, when the cake will be cut, and any other festivities that require announcing. So, ask the band if they include emcee services or if it’s an additional cost.
Will they provide break music?
Keeping the music going is key for your wedding, during dinner and dancing. Besides having a great sound system and reliable playback equipment, song choice is paramount. After all, you don’t want 90’s hip hop jams playing during dinner, and folk music playing during the dance set. The right band will tailor their break music to fit the right moment at your wedding reception.
Do they play off a setlist?
While most bands have go-to songs they know will get the party going, the best bands know that playing off of a setlist doesn’t work as well as reacting to the crowd in the moment. The songs you love played at the right time for your party flow is key. That means having the wedding expertise to read the crowd and know if they want to keep dancing or slow it down for a ballad.
Who will you be communicating with?
When you contacted the band to get more information, were you put in touch with an agent or the bandleader/owner? Direct communication with the band ensures a better understanding of the details and nuances of your wedding vision. It also saves time and money because you skip the middleman — similar to buying wholesale rather than at full retail markup.
Is their equipment streamlined?
There can be a lot of gear associated with a full band setup — subwoofers, speakers, mains, lighting trees, stage monitors, music stands, mic stands, speaker cables, power cables, plus the instruments! You don’t want a cluttered stage presentation when you’ve worked hard to perfect your wedding decor. So, it’s important that your band invests in wireless equipment and organizes the gear to create a pleasing aesthetic and streamlined stage presence.
Do they provide lighting?
Lighting is another critical component of setting the mood for your wedding reception. The best bands not only have amazing lighting for their stage and the dance floor, but they will also provide uplighting and spotlight options for the rest of your reception area as well.
Will they work with other vendors?
Vendors need to be in sync with each other and with the party flow. Since the band announces all of your special festivities, such as the bridal party intros, speeches, cake cutting, and the bouquet toss, it’s essential that they coordinate with the photographer and videographer, caterer, wedding coordinator, and other vendors to keep everyone in the loop.
What is their standard attire?
Having a professional look is critical for a wedding band, and what often sets apart a seasoned wedding band from a bar band or other type of entertainment. If your wedding is a black-tie affair, can the musicians wear tuxes or gowns? Or, if you are having a tropical theme as so many people do with Florida beach weddings, can they dress appropriately? Check out their social media pages to get an idea of how they normally look at weddings and other events to make sure the band will fit in with your vision.
Do they offer reduced package pricing?
No one likes to talk pricing, but it’s necessary for you to know how the wedding band charges. Do they just charge per hour, or do they offer reduced package pricing when booking the entire event? The right wedding band will work with your budget and offer you a discount if you book the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception music with them.