Live music and wedding bands are a huge part of what makes a great wedding, so we chatted to Warble Entertainment Agency to get the inside info on what couples are worried about when booking a live band for their wedding and the kinds of questions they're asked.
1. Should I book a band or a DJ?
Okay, so the very short and easy answer to this is BOTH!
A good DJ fills dance floors like no other and can easily take requests on the night. Twinned with the energy and performance of a live band you are guaranteed a winning night.
We know however that even though this would be ideal, it's not always possible for a whole bunch of reasons. Your best compromise here is to take advantage of the band's complimentary 'DJ service' that most bands will provide upon being booked. It won't be as involved as an actual DJ but it still serves the purpose of having music in those gaps before, in between and after the band that you and your guests can dance to.
2. How do I know if my band is good if I haven't seen them live?
An understandable concern about booking live music, but booking your band doesn't have to be a complete leap of faith!
One of the most important things you must do is check out what previous customers have said about the band. These are real people who have experienced the band at their wedding. Did they fill the dance floor? Did they arrive on time? Were they friendly? All of these things and more are covered in reviews, so do your research on how the band were received.
If you can't see the band live before your wedding, then the next best thing is to watch any videos they might have. If they have any live footage, well even better! Anything to help you get an idea of what the band is like really helps you to visualise them on stage at your wedding, ultimately supporting you in making the right decision on your entertainment.
3. Will my guests like my band?
One aspect of booking a band that needs to be addressed is how well received they will be amongst your friends and family.
Often you can assume that if you as a couple like a certain band - and that you have invited like-minded people to your wedding, they will also enjoy the same band! Don't second guess your own gut instinct when it comes to your choosing your entertainment as it will tell the truth most of the time.
Having said this, wedding and function bands are becoming more and more unique and niche every day. You can really hone in on a certain style or genre with your band, self-indulging in a band that is perfect for you. Doing this is absolutely fine and can make your evening extra special! Just make sure that your chosen band, no matter their genre, have a selection of 'crowd pleasing' songs that everyone knows.
4. Will my band get people dancing?
It's what they do best. In fact most bands swear by their ability to fill a dance floor, and they take great pride in doing so.
Believe it or not though, you can be pro-active and help the band do this.
If you are the bride or groom, this is probably the most important and useful tip for getting people up dancing... get on the dance floor yourself! Your guests will want to celebrate your amazing day with you and will look to you to lead by example.
5. I don't have the budget for a full band?
We've talked about the benefits of having a live band at your wedding. If you can stretch your budget to include one then you will definitely see its worth when your dance floor gets filled!
However, a full live band isn't the be all and end all when it comes to enjoying some live music. There are a plethora of amazing and talented solo musicians or smaller duo's & trio's out there that are more than capable of getting people up on their feet - at a fraction of the price.
There are live music options for budgets of all shapes and sizes so there's no need to fret about not having any tunes at your wedding.
Article by Joey Burdon of Warble Entertainment.