How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Band: 7 Insider Tips
When it comes to planning wedding music, couples often ask what makes a good wedding band and how to choose one.
Choosing your wedding day's entertainment is an important task. It can be challenging because you're not just catering to your preferences but want your guests dancing and having fun.
Years later, your guests are more likely to remember the fun they had at your wedding party than the food, dress, or anything else—unless you have some drama, which we hope not!
When planning for wedding music, couples either choose a DJ playing sets or a live wedding band. A DJ is cheaper since it's mainly a one-person set, recording your favourite songs and crowd favourites to get your guests on the dance floor.
However, a band can make your big day more memorable as live music sparks energy in the audience in an unrivalled fashion.
What should you consider when choosing live wedding bands?
There are many considerations when selecting the right band to play at your wedding, but here are our seven top picks.
Before you start looking for a band, it's important to define your wedding style. Are you aiming for a classic, elegant wedding or a more modern, upbeat vibe?
Just because a wedding band is popular doesn't mean it's a good fit for you. We have popular types of bands, including indie rock bands, jazz bands, bands that perform pop classics, and jazz bands. And while you may want to play a range of genres to cater to diverse guests, weddings have underlying themes.
If you want a fairytale-themed wedding, a band that combines playing sax with DJ sets and bright lights might not align with your theme. But think of a jazz band playing at a vintage-themed wedding...perfect!
Ideally, you want a band with male and female lead vocalists who can tackle a range of styles. If a band has one lead singer, they'll be limited in the types of songs they can cover convincingly.
Your budget is the most significant factor in determining the band you'll get and the services the band will provide. Here are a few things that determine the cost of hiring wedding bands.
The size of the wedding band
The average cost per musician in live wedding bands in the UK is approximately £418-£461. The number of musicians determines how much you'll pay. 10-piece bands will cost more than acoustic duos or three-piece bands. And a soul band charges more because of the number of musicians.
Luxury showbands are expensive because of their sizes, too; but remember, bigger isn't always better. A huge band might sound amazing, but they'll also take up a lot of space and cost a lot more. A 5- to 7-piece band hits the sweet spot for most weddings. This usually includes drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, and 2-3 vocalists.
Travel costs
Live bands ask you to cater to fuel costs. If the band is larger, they might have to travel in more than one car, increasing the price. Many couples use local wedding bands because flying in a live band for their wedding day costs more.
The length of the performance
Professional wedding bands typically play two hours of live music split into two sets of 60 minutes each with breaks in between or two sets of 45 minutes. A band will charge you more if you want them to play longer, probably as you walk down the aisle or as your guests enjoy cocktail hour.
The wedding date
UK wedding bands charge you more if your wedding ceremony falls on a Saturday in the summer. Saturday is a popular wedding day, so the demand for bands is high. It isn't easy to negotiate discounts at this time.
Wedding bands charge less for winter and weekday weddings, even though more couples are choosing to have their ceremonies on weekdays. Depending on your wedding date, you can get discounts from the best wedding bands.
Popularity and supply
Rock and pop bands, vintage and swing bands, soul and Motown wedding bands, and other genres all have different levels of demand. The popularity of a band's genre determines demand. A rock band generally has more demand than a jazz band and other genres because it fills dance floors and gets the party started.
However, there are likely many rock and pop bands, so the supply would lower the cost because of competition. A band's reputation also determines its demand. In-demand bands charge higher. And it's highly advisable to book a wedding band months in advance to secure them.
The best live wedding bands have more experience. They have invested in the craft, have professional musicians, and give you a memorable experience. Professional live wedding bands know that successful wedding entertainment depends on production, customisation, engaging with the crowd, and having a flow that integrates seamlessly with other wedding vendors.
You'll pay more for most wedding bands with years of experience. However, depending on the wedding you envision, an amateur band could serve your needs too.
Check the wedding band's repertoire. Look over the band's song list carefully. It's most likely on their website. Are there songs that you and your friends love to dance to? Does it include a good mix of classics and current hits? You might have guests of varying ages that you want to cater to, so you'd like a band comfortable with hits from different eras to have your guests on the dance floor.
Consider cultural elements
If you want to incorporate music from your cultural background, ensure the band can handle it authentically. Some wedding bands specialize in fusion styles or have experience playing music from specific cultures.
Unless you have had a live experience with the wedding band before, check out online reviews. Scour the internet to get people's opinions of their live wedding performance. It would help if you also considered recommendations from wedding vendors such as planners, photographers, and the catering team. Vendors can read the audience and have accurate observations. Your venue provider can also help you pick because they know which wedding bands play at different venues.
🔑 Key point: Don't just rely on testimonials on the band's website. Check independent review sites like Trustpilot and ask the band for references you can contact directly.
Before searching for local wedding bands to play at your wedding, have a list of what you need. Do you need the wedding band to play at the reception and the after-party? Is there a particular first dance song you want to perform? Do you need the band to set up early?
You should know all these specifications because wedding bands offer different packages. Some bands offer a free DJ service, while others charge extra. The songs you want performed may already be on their song list, but if they're not, the band would need to rehearse, which would come at an extra cost.
Each wedding band has a given setup period, typically an hour or two before the event. You might require the band to set up early if you're using the same wedding venue for your vows ceremony and the drinks reception. Early setups usually cost more. Ensuring the band's package aligns with your needs goes a long way in ensuring you book the perfect wedding band for your big day.
Ask about equipment
A band is only as good as their sound system. Ask any band you're considering what equipment they use and whether they bring their sound engineer. Good wedding music bands will have high-quality speakers, mixers, and microphones.
The band should also know how to set up their equipment to sound great in different venues. If your wedding includes an outdoor component, like a garden ceremony, ensure the band can amplify appropriately. You don't want your guests straining to hear the music.
Be wary of bands that rely heavily on backing tracks or pre-recorded elements. While some of this is fine for certain songs, you want mostly live instrumentation. That's what creates the energy and spontaneity that makes live music special.
Discuss your must-play (and do-not-play) lists
Most bands are happy to learn a few special songs for your wedding, especially for moments like your first dance. But be reasonable - learning new songs takes time and effort.
Equally important is your do-not-play list. If there are songs or genres you don't want to hear at your wedding, make sure the band knows this in advance.
You don't want to gamble with your wedding entertainment. Professional bands are a safer bet than amateur ones. You can tell how seriously a wedding band takes themselves by how well they've invested in themselves.
Professional wedding bands have talented musicians, high-quality PA systems, and instruments. They have quality videos of their live performances online for promotion. Equally as important is the wedding band's outfit choice while performing as it's quite telling of their seriousness for work.
Hiring wedding bands in the UK - final thoughts
Choosing a wedding band is as much about chemistry as talent. You want a band that gets you and your partner's taste in music and understands the vibe you're going for.
At FixTheMusic, we have hand-picked the best wedding bands for hire in the UK. We are the one-stop shop you need when hiring a professional wedding band. The wedding music bands on our platform are highly recommended, and they have videos of their live performances to help you choose.
Are you looking for a modern rock band or one with male and female vocalists? We can connect you to a wide selection of bands, and you can easily check the availability of all our wedding bands on your wedding date and book on the platform.
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