31 Oct 2015 Admin
Music is one of the essential parts of a wedding, and it’s important to get this right. You wouldn’t want to be stuck with a boring or unprofessional band, would you? Ensure that you get to know as much as you can about your prospective wedding band (and get your money’s worth of wedding entertainment) by asking them some of these questions:
1. What music style do you specialize in?
A band may call themselves a wedding band because they perform mainly at weddings, but you have to remember that not all weddings are the same. Knowing what type of wedding music your prospect specializes in helps you determine if this group works with the type of celebratory vibe you’re aiming for.
2. Do you cater to song requests and learn new songs for us, if necessary?
If you have a particular song in mind that you would really like to be played during the wedding reception, then this is an important question to ask. A lot of wedding bands have their usual set of songs that they normally play at parties, and your song may be something that they haven’t performed before. Give them a heads up by asking if they’re willing to learn a new song for you.
Also, find out if they play song requests. Some bands don’t entertain requests from guests during the event, but requests can actually create a better interaction between the guests and the music, so a band that takes song requests would be great for the overall feel of the party.
3. How many members are there in the band, and do I need to hire all of them?
A band can be as big or as small as you want - or as your budget dictates. Having the option to only hire the portion of the band that you feel works best with your plans can help you in sticking to the budget that you’ve set for the night’s entertainment.
4. How many weddings have you played in the past year?
A band may be a good band, but not necessarily a good wedding band. Guests at weddings tend to vary in preferences, so bands that have a lot of experience in playing at weddings usually tend to take the pressure of playing in front of such a varied crowd better. A good wedding band has the ability to handle the dance floor, ensuring that everyone has a great time at your wedding.
5. Where can we see you perform live?
Seeing your prospective wedding band play live can help you in better determining whether they are a good fit for the type of wedding music and entertainment that you’re looking for. If possible, ask if they can sneak in for a few minutes at their next wedding gig.
6. How long do you need to set up?
This question is often not asked, but it’s important to know how long the band needs for them to complete their set up. This is to ensure that there are no disruptions on your wedding day and that everything flows smoothly without any distractions from people setting up the sound system in the background.
7. Are you familiar with the wedding venue? If not, could you go and check it out?
A good wedding band would want to know the space that they would be playing in so they can adjust their amplification and acoustics better for the event. Knowing that the band is willing to take that extra step at checking out the venue before the event means that they’re serious musicians who want to ensure that there are no hitches while they’re playing during the wedding celebration.
8. What do you do if a principal musician or vocalist is sick on the day of the wedding?
If the band can’t function without a member, and that member happens to be sick on the day of the wedding, you’d want to be sure that they have a replacement vocalist of the same caliber as the one who you hired.
9. What do you typically wear during wedding performances?
You wouldn’t want your wedding band to appear wearing clothes that make them look like performers at a night club, now, would you? So ask. Most wedding bands have a dress code for performances, but if you insist that they follow your preferred dress code, then better take this up with them during the initial meeting.
10. What are your fees, and how much do you charge for overtime? Are all instruments included in the package?
Fees and package inclusions are important things to consider when hiring a wedding band, and you should know exactly what are include in the price that the band is asking for for their services. Don’t forget to ask if they can play overtime if needed, and how much it would cost. Having all the fees and inclusions clarified and explained would help you in sticking to your budget.
11. Do you have a cancellation policy?
Most bands require a non-refundable deposit upon booking, so it’s important to know exactly what types of losses you would be facing should you have a need to cancel your agreement.
Get in touch with Music for Scotland today.
If you’re still looking for the right wedding band for your upcoming trip to the altar, then we may have what you’re looking for. Our roster of experienced musicians have a lot to offer. You can know more about our policies here .
Contact us today for expert help in choosing the right wedding band for you.