If you and your fiancé are in the middle of hashing out your wedding details, one of the big things you need to secure for your big day after you pick a venue is the wedding entertainment. All things considered, most of us likely have next to no experience booking live entertainment.
So, you might find yourself browsing around for ideas trying to figure out how to choose a live band for a wedding. It’s a big party with all your friends and family, and your wedding reception is where your first memories as a married couple are made. For this reason, it’s important to choose your wedding band wisely. Here are seven tips to help you hire the right live band for a wedding.
1. Do Not Hire a Band Without Proper Experience
Hiring your fifteen-year-old nephew to debut his saxophone at your reception is an ill-advised move. Inviting an inexperienced musician who has never played at a wedding before really is amateur-hour and risks a bad show.
When you hire experienced musicians, you know this isn’t their first rodeo. From stage presence to sound quality and musical precision, professional musicians have proved that they know how to put on a show – otherwise, they wouldn’t have quit their day jobs.
2. Listen to the Demos Before You Commit to Hiring
Another must-do before you commit to booking live music for your wedding is to listen to some sample tracks. Most professionals will have a demo or two out there for you to get a feel for their sound and range.
Never book a live band for a wedding without first listening to what they sound like. This is the try-before-you-buy warning because it is one thing to book a band sight unseen and quite another to book one sound unseen.
3. Hire Wedding Entertainers that are Entertain
This one might seem like an oxymoron, but some bands are much better at wedding receptions than others. Most couples want to hire a band with personality and with the right vibe for their wedding. There is something to be said about a group that knows how to work the crowd and has a great stage presence.
As opposed to bigger shows with mixed crowds, live musicians have a much more intimate stage setting at a wedding celebration and must cater to the crowd more than stick with a set list. Performers who play at city shows and local bars might find the environment challenging.
4. See What People Are Saying
In the digital age, it is easier than ever to see what other newlyweds have to say about the wedding band they booked for their reception. Aggregate websites like Yelp and Google Reviews have made it simple for customers to rate their experience and leave details. If a band has an overwhelming number of bad reviews or comments about unprofessionalism, you want to steer clear.
5. Take the Band’s Versatility into Consideration
Another big thing to look at is song selection. Choosing a live band that has a wide music portfolio will give you more options. Picking a band that knows how to play a varied selection of songs will cater to a larger audience and allow for less monotony.
Have you ever considered hiring a live wedding band and DJ for a hybrid performance? Hiring a hybrid wedding band for your party can further diversify things by broadening your music choice.
6. Consider Your Budget
A big consideration for booking your wedding entertainment is your budget. Weddings can get pricy. When it comes to live wedding bands, you don’t have to break your bank. Be sure to do your research to get an idea of what musicians are charging so that you have a better ballpark of what you will be spending.
Depending on your circumstances, wedding budgets can be tough and fixed. However, it is never a clever idea to go with the cheapest acts that you come across on Craigslist. Remember, when it comes to cutting entertainment costs: you get what you pay for. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you should also be wise not to pay inflated prices for mediocre music.
7. Check the Band’s Availability
Finally, once you have narrowed your favorite wedding bands for your big day down to a brief list, it is important to make an inquiry to establish availability. If you have not already booked a venue, you and your soon-to-be-spouse will have more flexibility in terms of dates.
But, if your band of choice is booked for the date that you have already secured your wedding venue, then you’ll have to shop around or choose a backup. Planning ahead will raise your chances of securing your first choice of wedding bands.
Are you looking for a live band for a wedding in New York or New Jersey? Spinner Entertainment provides top-rated wedding band entertainment along with DJ services. Visit our website to learn more about who we are and what we do.
