We've compiled, with the help of some of our regular contributors, 10 top tips to help you book the right wedding band for you!!
1) THINK ABOUT YOUR GUESTS
Too often, couples choose bands that play stuff that they love to listen to. Whilst you might really enjoy listening to that kind of music in the car or at home, it's not necessarily the sort of music that will ensure that you and your guests have a great night and the dancefloor is full.
2) CHECK SOME REFERENCES
Make sure you check with any band you're looking at that their references from other couples are true and accurate. Facebook is a great way of doing this if the band you're looking at has an account. However, don't fall into the trap of thinking if they've not got many 'likes' they're not that good. Wedding bands aren't like normal bands that develop a following. It's normally only the brides and grooms that will 'like' or 'follow' a band.
3) ASK ABOUT DEPS
'Deps' is the term used in music for 'Deputies'. Sometimes, people get ill. Guitarists break fingers, singers get throat infections...it happens!! Check with any band what their policy is if one of them is ill. Do they have replacements or do they cancel. You need to make sure that you know what might happen in the event of something like that.
4) DON'T WORRY IF YOU CAN'T SEE THEM LIVE
Lots of bands we know get loads of emails asking if people can come and see them live before they book them. Most top wedding bands only play private events and weddings so that's not always possible. As long as you follow the tips here and take all sensible measures, don't let it put you off booking them. If they're playing lots of local pub gigs where you can go and check them out, ask yourself why they're not out playing a wedding instead!!
5) GET IT IN WRITING
This point isn't so applicable if the band you're looking at has an agent or manager but musicians are notoriously 'blahzay' about details. The best way of corresponding with them is via email so you've got a written record of everything that's been agreed. Travel Costs, VAT or Tax, Accommodation, Setup Duration, Stage Area..... - Get it all in writing, ideally in the form of a performance contract.
6) YOUR FIRST DANCE
Lots of bands will offer to learn to play your first dance for you. Sometimes this is great but not always. We've heard bands massacre requests and that's the last thing you want, particularly for such a special moment. Our advice, either play it off CD or choose a song the band are comfortable with and used to playing if you've nothing that's particularly special to you.
7) THE ESSENTIALS
The vast majority of wedding venues now insist that bands, and indeed any other contractor have Public Liability Insurance and PAT Certificates for everything. Make sure you've seen copies of these before you book as the amount of bands that don't have them is surprising and the last thing you need is any 'surprises' on your big day when they turn up without them and the venue won't let them in.
8) SPEAK TO SOMEONE
Although we'd always advise doing your negotiating via email, you can tell a lot about a band and their professionalism by having a conversation on the phone. Ask them to give you a call to chat through your thoughts before you sign up to anything!
9) SETUP
Find out how long the band take to setup. This can range from literally 15 minutes to two hours. If you've only got 40 minutes to turn the room round, a band that takes two hours is no use to you!
10) RIDERS
Many bands have riders that requires you to supply food and drink for them. If this is the case, make sure you know well in advance what that is and don't leave an open bar tab for them! Sadly, a few bands take the biscuit here and it's very easy for them to run up a £120 bar bill between them over the course of a couple of hours.
