Wedding Bands and How to Choose Them

Wedding Bands - choices

Wedding Bands are an important part of your wedding arrangements. You’ve just about got everything arranged: the ring, the gown, the venues, flowers, cake and photographers. What is left? Oh yes, the music! What should you do about that? You have two decisions to make here: the music for your ceremony and that for your reception. Assuming that you have decided on your ceremony music you now have to decide what you want for the reception, because the two are entirely different.

Your reception music has to be entertaining and allow the guests to let their hair down. You can choose between a DJ and a band. There is something to be said for each, but it is very difficult to argue against specialized Wedding Bands. A DJ is fine, but a band knows how to run a wedding, and believe me, you want the band to run the reception once the music gets going. You don’t want to have to rush around collecting requests and organizing games and spot dances that make a wedding so different to a normal Saturday night dance.

Wedding Bands - genres

So, you have now decided on having a band. However, you still have a few decisions to make. What kind of band do you want? Wedding guests might not appreciate a rap band or even a reggae band though there is nothing wrong with each type of music. For Wedding Bands you will need a band that can play all types of music: sure, they will have to be able to make them rock n’ roll, but also to waltz and possibly tango. Also any national dances, such as some Scottish dances if you have Scots in your company and jigs if your wedding is in Boston.

You will want the band to play all kinds of music, yet have a good knowledge of standards and current hits. Wedding Bands that can play music to satisfy all ages. Such bands specialize in weddings and can look after your reception once they get on stage and allow you to relax for the rest of the night.

Wedding Bands - size

You will also have to decide on the size. A one man band is sometimes OK if he or she has a great voice, can play an organ or synthesizer and has a great backing system, but it looks cheap. That might be fine for a get-together or party, but not a wedding. Wedding Bands can impress. Not only do you want the guests to have a great time, but also to be impressed. And let’s face it: you want the guests to be impressed with the reception you provide.

Two can work, but for proper Wedding Bands playing at a wedding reception you want at least three or four. You certainly don’t want a string quartet or a big band with dozens of members, unless you are very rich. Most people wouldn’t appreciate a big band even if you had the dough to pay for it, since the music tends to be limited. It is the variety and breadth of music and songs that count.

Wedding Bands - experience

Let’s go for a four piece band that is experienced in playing for wedding receptions and can also introduce a bit of humor. You should start searching for something suitable about a year before the big day, especially if it is to be held on a Saturday. Saturday is the most popular day for a wedding and Wedding Bands can be hard to get if leave it late.

So, the various points you should be looking for have been generalized above, but what should you be looking for in particular? Before you book any band ask them for their play list. All Wedding Bands have a list of music and songs they can perform. If your preferred first dance song, for example, is not there then ask them if they will learn it. If not, then look elsewhere.

Wedding Bands - references

The band you choose should be professionals and experienced at playing for wedding receptions, and if they have videos of themselves at work then so much the better. References are useful because otherwise you are choosing blind. Why not ask friends or relatives that have hired Wedding Bands for their recommendations? If you have attended a wedding and were impressed with the band, then find out who they were from the couple involved.

You must also determine how many breaks they will need and for how long, since you don’t want a band that takes 15 minute breaks every hour. If that sounds like an exaggeration it is not – some Wedding Bands play for only 45 minutes each hour, and that’s a lot of quiet time in a 5 hour reception.

Wedding Bands - contract

Finally, get everything in writing. Get the booking date in writing, the fee in writing and even any penalty for no-show. Some Wedding Bands gets a more lucrative booking shortly before yours then they should have a hefty penalty facing them for breaking the contract. Generally this is not necessary, but it does happen.

Wedding Bands are a very important part of the whole day. Just think of how enjoyable the reception would be if your band did not turn up and gave you no notice. The band you hire must have a good reputation, so ignore your relative’s son and his mates who have just got together, but hire a good band that you might have seen before or that has been recommended by others who have used them. You can then cross that off as another of the many jobs needing done in arranging your wedding.










Wedding Bands

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