What You Should Know Before You Hire Wedding Band
For an extra special wedding reception, it is important to make the right choices about what music to have playing. Leaning towards a live band? Here is some information you should consider when making your decision to hire wedding band.
Why choose a live band?
A good band can offer a tailored approach to the music and a unique audience relationship that a DJ usually cannot achieve. Bands with a lot of experience, especially in wedding receptions, have the flexibility to choose songs that reflect the atmosphere and the audience that is present. They can also take on the role of MC and keep an eye on things throughout the night to ensure that everything goes according to plan.
When to start looking:
You should start looking for a band a minimum of 6 months before the actual date of your wedding. This will give you enough time to make enquiries, sample music produced by different bands, and make sure that everyone is clear on all the details for the event.
Looking for a wedding band:
When you have decided what style of music you would like played at your reception, it is time to start looking for the right band to perform it. Word of mouth is always the best way of finding a good, reliable band, so ask your friends and relatives, wedding consultants and event coordinators. Try and choose a band that already has some experience with wedding entertainment. If they haven't, you will have to make sure they know exactly what they are doing and when, to ensure that the night runs smoothly.
Listen to the music on offer before you hire your wedding band. Preferably, go and see them playing live somewhere, if they have a gig on. Otherwise ask them for a tape or video of some of their songs. Videos are best as it will you give you an idea of their performance style as well as their musical ability.
What do you about all the details?
Knowing beforehand what pieces your band is going to be playing is key to ensuring that you and the audience enjoy the selection. Get a copy of the band's regular play list, and don't be afraid to tell them what you want. Some bands will even learn new pieces for you, so if there's a particular song you have in mind, just ask if they would be able to include that in their play list.
Call up the venue ahead of time and ask if they have any kind of restriction in place for noise levels or the space the band uses. Talk with the band too, and ask about any special requirements, how many power points they will need, how much space they need to set up, etc. Have a look through venue and double check that it will be suitable for your band to play in.
There are plenty of things you're going to need to work out. Dates, times, when to arrive and set up, when to leave and what happens in the case of overtime, insurance details, payment, schedules for the night including breaks, what the band will eat and drink, what to wear, how the band will get there, what happens in the case of unforeseen costs, what songs will be played, and if the band will have any MC duties. These should all be laid out in a contract that lists all band members by name.
Have the band get to the reception venue about an hour before the event is set to start. This will give them time to set up and perform sound checks.
Expert Rick James is a member of 'Soul Desire' featured at the http://www.souldesire.co.uk site. Hiring a specialist Wedding Band will ensure the success of your event. Find out more about how to have a great Wedding Band Essex from this site.