Essence of Events, LLC

The atmosphere and entertainment of your wedding can sometimes make or break the night. Whether you want the mood of the event to reflect glamorous sophistication or a feel-good party time, the entertainer you hire needs to represent both you as a couple, and the style of the day.

Essence of Events has compiled a few tips to help you find the best band that will suit your wedding day. Because although you may have spent no end of time fussing over the centerpieces, when the guests leave, it’ll be the bad wedding band that’ll stick in their mind, and no one wants that!

Determine your budget: It would be great if everyone had the ability to spend whatever they wanted on their weddings, but in reality, everyone works within a budget. Sitting down and looking at a budget breakdown, and then deciding what percentage you can realistically spend on entertainment is important; prioritize you needs and determine what you really want. You can pay a little extra for a band you love, and lower the budget elsewhere. Being happy with your choices at the end of the day is what it’s all about.

Think about what kind of band you want: Not all bands are the same, and they definitely aren’t created equal. A band that only plays one style of music, say Motown/R&B or a tribute band, isn’t going to have the same range and song variety that a versatile entertainment band will. If you love 80s music, it doesn’t mean your guests will. If you’re having a themed wedding, like a Roaring Twenties style, perhaps you could add some of that flavor into the mix. But start thinking about what types of music and songs you’d like to hear at your wedding, and go from there.

Consider size: If you have a huge wedding hall or ballroom for a 300 person wedding, you probably want to hire a larger band, than say, a four person string quartet. At the same time, if you’re having an intimate 50 guest wedding at a private residence, hiring a full band would not be appropriate. Remember, if you hire larger bands, they often come with extras, like their own lighting and sound equipment, so although these are great bonuses; they do come with added costs. Make sure you understand exactly what you are getting before you sign.

Listen to samples: Just because their website is professional, doesn’t mean the band can actually carry a note. The only way you’ll truly know how good a band sounds is if you listen to a live sample, watch videos of past performances, or attend an event where they are playing. Check to see what reviews they have, or if they can provide references. Don’t just book a band because your cousin Suzie’s best friend Kate said they were good. Someone’s idea of good music may be different than yours.

Give yourself enough time: Make sure you do enough research, and book ahead. Don’t put hiring a band off until the last minute. While entertainment may not be at the forefront of your mind, it certainly is for a lot of other brides. Coincidently, wedding season (May-September) starts around Prom time, and ends when Homecoming starts. Schools are going to be snatching up your entertainment options, if other brides haven’t, just like the limo services.

Pick a band you trust: This is an important day; make sure you take the time to talk with the band or band leader beforehand. Professional bands should offer free consultations which allow you the opportunities to talk about your expectations and get to know each other’s personalities. They are there to help you create memories, make sure you feel comfortable around them; the band is there to make your day the best it can be.

For more music and entertainment tips, plus other wedding day advice, contact Essence of Events today. To schedule you initial consultation, email us at contact@essenceofevents.com or call 253.292.1482

Written by Samantha Macrae