what questions do you ask a wedding band

Common Questions to Ask Your Wedding Band

• 1. Can we see you play at a live or virtual showcase or watch some videos before we book?
• 2. What time will the band arrive to the venue to set up?
• 3. What are your requirements at the venue?
• 4. Can you get the party moving and create a great atmosphere?

Full Answer

How do I find a band for my wedding?

When you're ready to start searching for pros, use The Knot Marketplace to find local musicians. Then, set up a few interviews with your favorites to get to know them as a group. Here, we've rounded up 29 important questions to ask potential bands for your wedding.

What do I need to know when hiring a band/DJ?

The band or DJ should be able to play, learn or download any tune you'd like. If a band says "yes," but they'll need to learn and/or arrange it, ask them if they'll charge for that. 5. How many musicians are in the band, and available? How many vocalists? Are there different options as far as how many musicians/instruments we can hire?

Should you hire a band for your wedding reception?

In fact, entertainment is often one of the most engaging elements of a wedding reception, so it's important to find pros who understand (and can execute) your vision. To do so, we recommend preparing a specific list of questions to ask your wedding band during the hiring process. Should You Have a Band or DJ at Your Reception?

How to choose a wedding DJ or band?

The price tag is one of the biggest factors in choosing what wedding DJ or band to choose, but it's not as simple as just asking for a price. You need to find out exactly what that price includes.

What should I ask my band?

So you need to make sure you ask your wedding band, DJ or musician the right questions before you book them....Price and PaymentHow Much Do You Charge and What's Included? ... Can I Negotiate the Price? ... How Much Deposit Do You Require? ... How Much Do You Charge Overtime?More items...•

What questions should I ask a wedding musician?

Do you have a set ceremony repertoire or will we work with you to choose one? ... Can you play the nontraditional songs we've chosen? ... Have you performed at a wedding before? ... Will you need sound amplification? ... What combination of instruments would you recommend for my ceremony space and vibe?More items...

How do you ask a band to play at your wedding?

Here are some key questions you should definitely ask:What are the band's favorite songs to perform?What's your play list? ... How many singers and instruments are available?What type of wardrobe do you wear to perform?Do you provide ceremony and cocktail hour music?More items...•

What makes a good wedding band?

A great wedding band will tune into the vision of the couple who is marrying, ask the right questions, and deliver a fully customized event from the ceremony through cocktails, dinner, and dancing. Great music and performance are hugely important but only account for 50% of what makes wedding entertainment successful.

How long do wedding bands play for?

two hoursYour wedding band will normally perform for two hours, either in 2x 60-minute sets or 3x 40-minute sets over a 3-4 hour period. Some bands offer a wider variety of set lengths as standard and others are likely to be pretty flexible as long as you let them know plenty of time in advance.

Do not play songs at weddings?

See more cliche songs below.Chicken Dance.Hokey Pokey.DJ Casper – Cha-Cha Slide.Los Del Rio – Macarena.ABBA – Dancing Queen.Sister Sledge – We Are Family.Psy – Gangnam Style.Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby.More items...•

How many songs do bands play at wedding?

How will music still be played during this time? (Hint: Wedding Bands need breaks! They typically perform about 4-7 songs and then take a 10-15 minute break. Singing, performing, and maintaining a high level of energy all takes a lot of a person! In order for them to perform their best, the breaks will be necessary.

What time do bands start at wedding?

Your wedding band will typically arrive at around 5:30-6:00pm, ready to set up their equipment as soon as the meal and speeches are over. You may find it a good idea to usher guests into the bar area whilst the function room is turned around for the evening and the band set up. Band sound checks can be noisy!

When should you book a band for your wedding?

Generally speaking, you should hire a wedding band 7 to 12 months in advance as it fits in perfectly with the hiring and planning of every other aspect of your wedding and will mean you avoid any possible availability disappointments.

How much a wedding ring should cost?

On average, wedding bands cost about $1,100 for women and around $550 for men, according to one estimate from The Knot. But the ultimate price often depends on the metal you choose. Think: Yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold.

Who buys the man's wedding ring?

Tradition. If you want to follow tradition, the bride should choose and pay for her groom's wedding ring, with the groom doing the same for his bride. This makes a lovely option if you're a classic couple, and would also like to surprise each other on the day.

Who pays for brides wedding band?

The most traditional way to go about this would be the bride pays for the groom's wedding ring plus a gift and the groom pays for the engagement ring and matching wedding band for the bride. Today, a more modern approach by many couples would be to accept the wedding bands as a joint investment by both people.

What DJs need to know about weddings?

Here are five things you should tell your wedding DJ to get the party popping and keep it going strong.How to Pronounce Names.To MC or to Not MC.When to Play What and for How Long.The Context for Song Requests.Your "Do Not Play" List.

What makes a good wedding DJ?

Top 10 Ways to be a Great Wedding DJBe professional. ... Cover the little details. ... Don't be late. ... Be clear about what's expected from you. ... Have a vast musical knowledge of multiple styles. ... Make sure your social skills are up to snuff. ... Know what song requests to take. ... Know how to read a crowd.More items...•

What should I look for in a DJ?

6 Qualities To Look For When Hiring A Great DJ#1 They're organized. A well-organized DJ is vital in an era where you can carry your entire music library on your laptop. ... #2 They can read the room. ... #3 They set the mood and pace of an event. ... #4 They bring a unique flare. ... #5 They're professional. ... #6 They come prepared.

Should I have live music at wedding?

It sets the tone and the mood like nothing else Live musicians can change to mood of a room as it is needed. They can bring a grand level of elegance and sophistication to your wedding, especially to the ceremony, cocktail hour, or during dinner.

Why is music important for weddings?

From the walk down the aisle to the first dance, the bouquet toss to your final farewell, music helps set the tone for the entire day— which is why your DJ or band has such an important role.

Do wedding DJs need liability insurance?

Why you need to know this: Ideally, your wedding DJ or band will carry liability insurance. It covers any damage that can occur to the performers themselves and the equipment. Many venues require DJs and bands to carry liability insurance, so it's important to know upfront if they have it.

What to ask a wedding band?

Among the questions to ask a wedding band or DJ, this is a biggie. A wedding DJ will likely have a music collection you can browse through, while a band will have a list of songs they can perform. Ask if you can take a look—you want to make sure there’s a wide selection! Tip: some bands will be willing to learn a special song or two just for you. If you have something specific in mind but don’t see it included on the playlist, don’t automatically consider it a deal breaker. Ask if they would be willing to learn it for you—you might be pleasantly surprised!

How many breaks do live bands need?

Live bands will generally require at least one break during the night. It’s best to know when, and for how long, they plan to be off the floor so you can mix in some other entertainment (like a fun late night snack) to keep the party going.

What is a wedding bandleader?

Your wedding DJ or bandleader will not only be responsible for playing music during the reception, but will also serve as the emcee, or host, for the event. This means they'll work closely with your wedding planner, caterer, and venue staff, make announcements, introduce toasts, and generally ensure that your wedding reception runs smoothly. Talk to your wedding DJ or bandleader about their emcee style. Do they like to engage and interact with the crowd a lot? Are they high energy or more laid-back and relaxed? How will they dress on the big day? This will help you determine whether their tone is conducive to the atmosphere you’re trying to create.

What are some packages that a performer can offer?

Some performers offer packages with additional services like photo booths, video screens, and lighting. Depending on the experience you’re going for, having these options available from a single source could be beneficial.

Do you have to meet a DJ before a wedding?

Before you even meet with a wedding DJ or band, you'll want to make sure that they're actually available on your wedding date. If you're working with a DJ who works solo or a single band, if they're not available, it's a deal breaker. However, if you're talking to a larger entertainment company, they will likely have a variety ...

What do you wear to weddings?

This may sound like a crazy question but it’s worth finding out. While you would assume that the musicians would dress appropriately, that is not always the case. If you have an ultra-formal wedding, you need to make sure that the musicians are going to honor that – and some aren’t going to change how they dress for the occasion. Many musicians who have performed at enough weddings will have a few professional choices for you to choose from, ranging from coordinated outfits to tuxedoes.

How would you describe your music style?

The musical style will vary dramatically from band to band and musician to musician. Some may have a laid back approach while others may be edgy. Consider the kind of environment that you want to create and how the musician will fit into it. Remember that it’s completely acceptable to pass on a performer because they don’t offer the kind of style that you want.

Will you take special requests?

The musician should be able to download the song or learn it in time for your wedding. You will also want to find out how they deal with other special requests as it’s a guarantee that one of your guests will approach them at some time during the reception.

Do you provide your own audio?

Some bands have their own audio while others plan on tapping into what you provide. This is a critical question to ask as you don’t want to find out that there’s no way for them to amplify their sound until after they show up on the big day. Further, find out if the volume is going to be suitable for all guests who may be in attendance.

Who handles the setup?

Your venue is going to ask who will handle the setup of your band or any live musician. As such, it’s a fair question to ask of the group that you hire. In most instances, they should be responsible for setting up for themselves. Be sure that you allow enough time for them to do so. This will involve giving them the contact person at the venue to coordinate those details.

Are you familiar with the acoustic power of our venue?

Some musicians and bands have been on the circuit for a while and know what venues are capable of what. Be sure that they are familiar with your reception space to know what supplies they will need. If they’ve never been to it, be sure that they’re willing to visit it beforehand so that they can adequately prep. Otherwise, you may get some unwanted surprises on the day of when the sound that they promised cannot be produced within the confines of your venue – and that’s when it’s too late to do anything about it.

Do you need a band for a wedding?

On your wedding day after vows are made, the register signed, and the speeches are out of the way, there's nothing left to do but take a huge sigh of relief, and hit the dance floor for the party of your life. And for that, you need a great wedding band (when restrictions allow, of course!) One of the biggest elements to planning a wedding is ...

Can a band be offended by a CD?

A band won't be offended if you choose to go with a CD and try not to take offence if they say they're not up to playing it live. For example, an 80s tribute band might not be the best fit if your first dance is to a Damien Rice song! Photo by This Modern Love via One Fab Day.

What to keep track of before a wedding?

Keep track of how much you’ll initially need to put down, like many of the other deposits you’ll have to make before the wedding (photographer, florist, catering, venue, etc.).

What is a band leader?

Assuming you don’t want a family member or friend to be the announcer for the evening, a band leader is typically experienced in helping the night run smoothly and on schedule. Check if they’ll make the announcements for all your planned activities such as the first dance, bouquet toss, and cake cutting.

Can you see a wedding band live?

CTO, along with many other wedding band companies, often hold local live showcases. Our upcoming events are posted here. If you can’t see the band live, watch a video of a recent performance.

Do bands need food?

Most bands are on stage for several hours, so even if they do not require food its always greatly appreciated to offer something for them to snack on.

Can wedding bands perform together?

They may have been performing together at thousands of weddings but if not, don’t worry! Professional wedding band players who have been in the industry for several years should be able to quickly adapt to newer band members.

Question 1. How would you describe your style?

Asking a wedding band to describe themselves can be very revealing. As Anthony explains, what you’re really trying to find out here is:

Question 2. Do you use setlists or read the crowd?

This one’s all about trust. Will the band play what you ask them to, or just play their normal set? There’s only one way to find out: talk to them! Ask to see their setlist, choose your favourites, and also send them a list of your favourites (but not too many).

Question 3. Will the band learn special song requests?

Most professional musicians will take song requests – if provided in advance – to try and learn before the wedding day.

Question 4. How do you motivate a shy crowd to dance?

A packed dancefloor is a sure sign of a successful wedding, so couples are often anxious about guests not dancing or having a good time. Since your guests are there to celebrate the day with you, it’s down to you and your partner to take the lead:

Question 5. How will the band be dressed?

When you’re planning your wedding, you want all the elements to look coherent and to fit your theme – and this should include the band! If you can’t judge their style from their website or social media, talk to the band to find out what they plan to wear on the day. In many cases, this will depend on the wishes of bride and groom. During our conversation, Danny and Anthony are kitted out in waistcoats and ski boots, which is a look they would definitely rock at a wedding if the couple requested it. They’ll happily wear whatever the couple asks them to, whether it’s a hula theme or toga party.

Question 6. How long will it take you to set up?

Ideally, the band you choose will work with your other suppliers to handle any technical aspects and logistics, so you don’t have to. This includes working out an itinerary for setting up that works for everyone.

Question 7. What music will be provided during the breaks?

Your wedding band won’t be playing non-stop from start to finish, so it’s worth considering what will happen before and after their set, as well as during any breaks.