Choosing the Perfect Band
There are several sources that you could use to find your band:
1) Personal recommendation
If a band have been personally recommended to you or you have seen a band you liked at a friend’s wedding then this is probably your best option.
2) Search on Google
Try searching on Google for terms such as “wedding bands”, “Soul bands”, “bands to hire”, “Motown bands” etc. Google lists sites in order of authority and popularity so the best bands should appear close to the top of the main listing.
Note however that Sponsored Links shown in yellow on Google are paid advertising that give no indication of a band’s popularity.
3) Use an Agency
You will see many band agencies advertised on Google and in Wedding magazines. Agencies offer varying degrees of service. Many may not even have seen their bands perform before adding them to the roster. Most agencies will add a 15-20% commission to the band’s fee.
Book Early
Good bands will get booked up early. Peak dates for function bands are Fridays and Saturdays between May and September and the last 3 weeks of December. If you are planning a wedding during these times you should be booking your band at least 12 months before the date of the wedding.
The are many factors that go into choosing a perfect band:
The Sound
Bands broadly fall into the following musical categories:
- Soft Jazz/Background music
- Swing/Rat Pack
- Rock/Pop
- Soul/Disco/RnB
Choose a style of music that appeals to you and will have the most appeal to your guests. Try not to allow your decision to be too influenced by parents or elderly relatives who may not share the same tastes as the majority of your friends and family members. A good Soul band that can play everything from Motown to Michael Jackson to Beyonce is often the perfect choice to please a wide age range yet still provide enough energy to get everyone on the dance floor.
Always look closely at the band’s repertoire on their website and let them know if there are any specific songs that you do or don’t like. However, do also bear in mind that an experienced and professional function band will have honed their set list over many years and may have a better idea of what songs will be popular with your guests.
The Look
A band with a cheap or “cheesy” appearance can completely spoil all of the attention to detail you have considered for the other aspects of your wedding. Musicians in scruffy clothing, singers with too much make-up or dresses that reveal far too much can all detract from the sophisticated look that you want for your wedding. Ask to see pictures or videos of the band performing at a formal event.
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