Let’s face it – you have probably never had to think about hiring a wedding band before.

So what makes a good wedding band?  The truth is that it is very different from what makes your favorite artists like Cheap Trick and Taylor Swift so good.  When hiring a wedding band, keep in mind that if you want a truly successful event with a packed dance floor all night, you need a band that is versatile!  Just because you love The Beatles, doesn’t mean that a tribute band is the answer. Just because you’re a country gal, it doesn’t mean that your guests want to hear Friends In Low Places all night.  That isn’t to say that you don’t want a band that can play some of your favorite songs, but you also want to entertain your guests; don’t forget about the other hundred friends and family in attendance. They likely don’t have the same taste in music as you.

Do Your Homework

The first step to hiring the right band is researching your options. Wedding planners, your venue, and especially your photographer are great places to start, as they have experience working with all kinds of groups every weekend.  They’ve seen the best of the best and the worst of the worst.  A band that repeatedly plays the same venue or same event as a popular photographer must be getting asked back for a reason.

The next step is to ask around and see who your friends have been using.  Even if the band played at your cousin’s wedding, chances are good there aren’t going to be a ton of overlap in guests.  Not to mention, they have a fantastic reference in your friend or relative if they thought you should consider them.

Finally, be sure to do some research on the web to look for the right group. In 2014 90% of brides will book all of their wedding vendors online. If a band does not have video clips on their site or, even worse, don’t have a website, that raises serious red flags. They don’t have to be highly produced music videos – even the best cameras won’t be able to capture the energy of a live band – but just something to give you an idea as to what they can bring to the table.  Any professional wedding band should have a website with video, a set list, and information about what they provide. If they don’t even have a Facebook page, which is free and easy to set up, they are not worth the investment. Your best bet is to start on Facebook, Google, and Youtube and check out videos on their websites.  From there, you can narrow it down to your top three choices.

Reach Out

Now you’re ready to contact your preferred bands.  First, send an email through their website or call their contact number.  Do they respond or answer immediately, the next day, or three days later?  This should give you some indication as to their level of professionalism.  Do they call you on the phone? If they email you, what information did they provide  How the potential band responds can give you some idea as to who is right for you.  We always do our best to meet with a bride and groom before even offering a contract to get to know the couple and discuss what in particular they are looking for.  We have even recommended other bands who might be a better fit for an event.  You need to feel absolutely comfortable with the band and they need to be confident in what you want if you are going to entrust hours of entertainment with them.  

Decision Time

Before you make your decision, it’s crucial that you take the following steps:

1. Speak to the agent, manager, or main contact from the band in person (if possible), but certainly on the phone to make sure the band is available for your date.  Just because they might have an open date on their website doesn’t mean that they can necessarily take the booking or aren’t waiting to secure another date.
2. If the band is available, ask them to hold the date and give you the right of first refusal.  Bands should have no problem doing this while waiting for contracts to be signed.
3. Speaking of contracts, above all else, make sure there is a contract.  Any wedding band worth the booking will have absolutely no problem providing you a copy at any step of the booking process.  This contract will cover important elements on their behalf, including an Act of God clause, but should also cover important details on your behalf, including what is included – who is providing microphones for toasts? Lighting? Where is the band parking? When are they setting up?  Ultimately, every step of that contract is there to ensure that the event runs smoothly for both parties, but make sure it is read and understood thoroughly beforehand. If there are any red flags or confusion, be sure to discuss it beforehand.
4. Does the band sound like they know what they are talking about?  If you don’t understand an element of the evening, can they explain it to you?  Are you familiar with the band’s song list, band members, set up details, etc?  The band should be ready to act as your wedding planner for back half of the reception, leaving you with nothing to worry about except whether you remember all the moves to the Cupid Shuffle.  Our next blog will cover a list of helpful questions that you should ask and make sure you are comfortable with.
5.  Finally, find out when the band is playing and ask to see the band live before you book. If the band has no upcoming gigs for the next three months, are you sure you want to hire them? Most professional bands are booked months in advance and most good wedding bands should have bookings through the end of the year.