|
CHOOSING A WEDDING BAND - Live Entertainment
For many years wedding
rituals have stayed the same, but the key steps to finding the
wedding band for your reception have changed dramatically. Today,
most brides are finding the music for their wedding on the Internet. Via
the World Wide Web, you can now see and hear wedding bands from all over
the state play right in the privacy of your own home. Starting with
their web site, there are 5 key steps to booking the right wedding band
for your special day.
Wedding Bands
A good web site
can give you a lot of information right away. If you are planning a
“country wedding”, and the band photo shows the group dressed in cowboy
hats, you may have found the perfect band. However, most brides and
grooms are looking for a classy group that can play a variety of music.
Your guests may range in age from 8 to 80, and a band that can play Big
Band Swing, Motown, Rock and Top 40 is sure to keep the dance floor
full. Read through the band’s on line song list. Does it include songs
from various genres? Do you see the music that you like to hear?
Next, see if there are
audio samples listed. Take a moment and listen to them carefully. Go
with your gut feeling. Do you enjoy what you hear? Do you like the lead
singer’s voice? Do you enjoy the piano or saxophone parts? Some bands
have video samples listed, so go through them as well. You will probably
be able to narrow down your band search dramatically after evaluating on
line demos.
Once you have narrowed
your search to a few possibilities, contact the bands via phone or
email. Most bands book 6-18 months in advance, so if you think you have
found the band of your dreams, don’t hesitate to find out more
information.
The first
question to ask is if the
wedding band
is available on your date. If they are, now is a good time to get an
idea of the band’s pricing. Bands vary in size and price, so find out
all the information. For smaller, more intimate weddings (60-150 guests)
a smaller group is often appropriate. If you are planning a larger
wedding, (200 guests or more) you may be interested in hiring a larger
band. You want to make sure that you can both love and afford the right
band.
Ask the bandleader how
long the group has been playing together and if there are any references
from brides or other wedding professionals available. Feel free to
request a full length CD Demo and any other information that the band
can mail to you. You can then play the CD at home, for friends or in
your car and peruse the band’s literature at your leisure.
You should expect a
reputable band to return your emails and telephone calls within 24
hours. The bandleader should respond to any of your concerns, and your
business should be handled in a professional and courteous manner.
Next, find out when the band will be playing in your area so that you
can see them perform live.
See and Hear
the Wedding Band Perform Live
Most
wedding bands
have a calendar that includes public appearances (i.e. clubs and
restaurants). If not, you may be able to peek into another wedding. Of
course, make arrangements with the bandleader first and make sure that
this is okay before showing up at a wedding.
While observing
the wedding band, you should like what you hear and what you see. Is the
band playing at a comfortable volume so that the guests can converse
comfortably? Is the dance floor full? Can you imagine the band
performing at your wedding?
When the band is on a break, be sure to introduce yourself to the
bandleader. Ask him or her any questions that you may have, and then ask
yourself if this is someone that you can communicate with comfortably
and have a good relationship with during your wedding.
Book the
Wedding Band
Once you have decided on
a wedding band, hire them. Nothing is worse than having your heart set
on a wedding band and finding out that they are suddenly unavailable.
The contract should include the date, time, place of your reception,
number of musicians in the band as well as your name, address, telephone
number and any other contact information important to the event. The
total price for the wedding band, the amount of your deposit and the
balance due should all be clearly stated. If you have any questions, do
not hesitate to ask.
DJ Services for your Wedding or Event
Disc Jockey entertainment is the most popular form of musical
entertainment for wedding receptions.
The hallmark of a good DJ is versatility. You should be able to choose
from "Oldies," Country Western, Rock, Big Band and Soul programming.
Your guests should be able to polka, waltz, or do the twist. Many DJs
offer ethnic music like Spanish, Italian, Irish, Polish or Greek. A top
quality DJ will offer "a little something for everyone" so that guests
of all ages can enjoy the music and dance.
Your DJ can MC the reception, announcing the arrival of the Newlyweds,
Receiving Line, Buffet or Dinner. They coordinate the Champagne Toast,
Cake Cutting, Newlyweds' First Dance, Bouquet Toss, Garter Toss, and
Dollar Dance. They direct all highlights of the reception, and establish
the sequence and timing of events.
Consider the following points when interviewing the DJ for your
reception. Professional DJs should be properly attired. They should be
tasteful in announcements and responsive to unique circumstances. They
should be attentive to delicate matters such as divorced, widowed, or
remarried parents. The sound system should be commercial quality and
attractive when set up. The music selection should be extensive with
lots of variety. DJs should be able to offer lighting systems, mirror
balls, and special effects upon request.
Be sure to request references and, if possible, preview their style of
work. A carefully chosen DJ will add festivity to the reception and
create a memorable party for your guests.
Nine questions to ask before hiring a mobile DJ
entertainment service
1. Are
we guaranteed a DJ on the day of our event?
A written agreement (contract) with your specific terms protects you
from unscrupulous operators.
2. How
many years of experience do you have?
Experience brings knowledge of common problems and situations. Be sure
your DJ has experience with your type of event. Ask for referrals.
3.
May we contact your references?
References are a major party of the entertainment business. This helps
clarify the significance about the service.
4.
Do you belong to any professional associations or trade groups?
An involved business shows a willingness to learn, network, and share
ideas. Belonging to a professional trade group reflects a caring
attitude and respect.
5. Will
you allow requests?
This is your event and your special requests should be welcome. If a
song seems inappropriate, a good DJ service will explain the reason (s)
and ask, or suggest, an alternative.
6. How
early will you be there to set up?
An average of 60-90 minutes should be allowed for set up and sound
check. Normally there is no additional charge for this and should be
part of the entire service.
7.
How will the DJ be dressed?
Proper attire reflects a positive image to your guests. The DJ should be
dressed as good or better than your guests.
8. Are
you insured?
Insurance is a part of any legitimate business. Liability and casualty
policies protect yourself, your guests, and the DJ company.
9.
Do you use professional gear (equipment)?
Using professional sound and lighting equipment helps insure a reliable
service and quality presentation.
|
