The Wedding Reception Band - They can make or break your night...
Many times over the years we’ve had people come up to us
and tell us their wedding band horror stories and it’s so true -
the band will make or break your night!
So much importance needs to be placed on the band you
choose to provide the music for your wedding reception. Long
after the wedding day when you speak to guests, they
remember the band but do they remember them for the right
reasons or the wrong ones?
Go to any wedding website and you will be inundated with ads for bands. There are so many out
there so choose wisely. Many come and go – they just don’t last in the industry. Other bands
forget that it is YOUR night, not theirs. Remember the band is there to create an atmosphere,
not steal the show from you. A good band will set the mood of the reception with easy listening
mood music and then pack the dance floor later in the night.
Volume: A wedding is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with family and friends but how can
you have a conversation when you have to scream over the noise the band is making? It’s
important that your wedding band plays at an appropriate volume at all times during the
reception. During dinner the band should be loud enough to be heard and to create a pleasant
atmosphere but not so loud that your guests cannot speak to each other. Later on when the
dancing starts, the band should turn up their volume enough to keep the dance floor jumping and
create a great party atmosphere but not so much as to deafen the other guests in the room. At
any time during your reception if you want our music louder or softer, you just have to let us know
and we’ll adjust our volume to suit you. Our aim is to work with you!
Appropriate Music Selection: Something else to consider is the type of music the wedding
band plays. The first part of the reception should be quiet, easy listening music. After the bridal
dance the band needs to liven up and create the fun, party atmosphere that your guests are
going to rave about in years to come. Make sure that your band can play a mix of new songs &
old songs as your guests will range in ages – so must your music. A band that plays swing &
jazz all night is going to alienate those guests who want to let loose and party. Likewise, a night
of doof doof is going to have the oldies heading home early. Check out your prospective band’s
song list – there should be a good mix of music that they can play.
Live Instruments: Many bands these days are not really ‘bands’. Often they are vocalists
singing along to backing tracks but there are no live instruments played. Live instruments not
only add to the amazing sound of the band, but musicians actually playing real instruments is
visually entertaining for your guests. In order to keep the costs down, many bands use backing
tracks and that’s fine, but make sure your band is really a ‘band’ and can actually play live
instruments. Combine playing live instruments with using backing tracks and the difference live
instruments makes to the sound and the atmosphere is incredible.
Venue Considerations: Speak to the wedding co-ordinator at your reception venue. Many
venues have space restrictions and a 5 piece band may not fit or they will take up most of the
dance floor and leave your guests dancing amongst the tables! Sometimes a duo or even a trio
is all that can fit at the venue.
Reception venues in residential areas often have sound restrictions so as to not upset their
neighbours. It’s important to have a band that can control their volume as once a sound limiter in
a venue goes off, the band loses power. Oh dear - instant awkward silence! There would be
nothing worse than boogying on the dance floor and the sound stops every few minutes because
the band is too loud for the venue and sets off the sound limiter.
Presentation: Consider the appearance of your band. Are they professionally presented?
You’re having a beautiful reception and the band looks like they’ve just walked out of their pub
gig ……. Hmm, maybe that’s not the look you’re after?
Experience: Speak to your band and find out how much experience they’ve had playing at
weddings. I’ve heard so many stories of weddings ruined because the band had no idea of how
to play appropriately at a wedding. I’ve also had quite a few brides over the years who have rung
me in a panic, frantically trying to find a band because the band they booked pulled out at the last
minute. One poor bride had her band cancel 3 days before her wedding, another was left high
and dry the day before! Another band turned up AFTER the bride and groom had been
introduced at the reception. The band set up, sound checked etc., whilst the reception was well
and truly underway. A professional wedding band will turn up, and be ready for you on time, NO
MATTER WHAT.
Vocalists: Does your wedding band have male & female vocalists? Two guys or two girls
singing love songs to each other just isn’t right is it. A lot of songs performed at weddings are
romantic songs that sound so much better with a male and female vocalist. It also gives each
song a different, more interesting sound when it’s not the same vocalist singing absolutely
everything.
Price: One more thing to consider is price. Good bands are not cheap but they shouldn’t be
ridiculously over-priced either. You know the old saying, “you get what you pay for”? It definitely
applies to wedding bands but beware of being over-charged too.
Discounts: Does your prospective band offer discounted prices? Do they charge a travel fee?
Do they charge a management or agent’s fee? If they bring lighting or a larger sound system, do
you have to pay extra? Do they have a smaller band option if you’re on a tight budget?
There are so many things you can't control on your wedding day so make sure that you look after the things that you can control - like booking the right band.
Good luck and have an amazing wedding day!
Laurel, Steve and Berwyn.
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