Your wedding day is possibly going to be one of the most special days of your life. Picking the right wedding musicians for your special day is an important aspect of planning your reception. While a DJ typically costs less, nothing quite compares to the magic of a live wedding band or singer.
If you and your partner go down the live music route, these following 8 tips will help you find the right wedding musicians for your special occasion. These tips will help you cast a vision for your reception, properly vet musicians, and build a positive relationship with the musicians you choose.
Search for a musician capable of bringing your vision to life.
Many couples will have a vision for their wedding reception. Whether you got the idea from tv or even weddings you have attended, you probably have a good idea of the energy and style you want to bring to your day.
When you hire a band or a wedding singer to play at your reception it means you have to have a very good idea of what style of music you want to be played. Unless you have a vast budget, you are not going to hire multiple bands or singers to play throughout your day.
Talk to your partner about and decide what genre of music you would like at the reception. As you talk to artists, find out whether they can bring your vision to life. Watching videos from acts should give you a pretty good feel for their style and skill.
Do not be afraid to ask questions about how they will bring your vision to life. Find out if they are willing to perform songs from their list that are meaningful to you and your partner, especially if it is a high priority for your reception.
Explore the musical background
It is important to make sure your musicians have experience playing at weddings. Check out their videos and reviews to find out how long they have been playing and how many weddings they have done.
Musicians that have performed together for several years will have a better dynamic and a more polished set of songs for events.
Read prior reviews to uncover any red flags.
Although one bad review isn’t always a deal-breaker, a long string of poor reviews is a big red flag that something is wrong. Read the details of each review to find out the issues other couples have had previously.
If you are uncertain what to think about a poor review, make sure to discuss it with the musician. They may have insight into the reason behind it. How they reply to your questions may help you decide if they are right for your wedding.
Book musicians that fit your venue.
You should book your venue before endeavouring to find your musicians. It is important to make sure if you hire a band they will fit well with your chosen venue, especially regarding the allocated space. Also check your venue to see if a sound limiter is fitted, as this will affect what musicians you can hire.
If you are planning an outdoor wedding, make sure your musicians are happy to perform outdoors. While this should not be a problem for most, it is important to have major details nailed down. Most will ask for some sort of cover like a gazebo, and will also need an electric supply.
Book early.
Once you have found and booked your venue, you should try to book your band or singer as soon as possible. Hiring a singer or wedding band is not something you can leave until the last minute. Booking early will help avoid any disappointment.
Professional wedding musicians will be in higher demand, especially in the peak wedding season. These favourites will need booking a year or more in advance. To guarantee one of your top picks, book your artists as early as you possibly can.
Clearly define the musicians’ roles for your big day.
Make sure your musicians know what their role will be on your big day. Will they be playing at the ceremony as well as the reception, or just during the reception?
Find out if the band is willing to make announcements or if you can have the use of their PA, you may choose to have someone else MC the proceedings. However, the person in charge of this role should be chosen before the day of your wedding.
When you take time to outline these roles, no one will be unsure about what they are supposed to be doing during the reception. Although the musicians are professionals with many years of experience working at weddings, the exact details of your wedding will be unique to you. Make sure you communicate expectations throughout the planning process.
Work with them
Music will play an important role when it comes to the mood of any wedding day. The music at your wedding can make the reception fly by if you choose the right musicians. Talk to your musicians about the tone and mood you want them to present at the reception.
Agree on timings, when you would like them to arrive, start and finish their sets beforehand. Most bands and singers will perform 2 x 1-hour or 3 x 40 mins sets. Check if they have a playlist they can play in between their live performance.
An experienced and professional wedding musician or band will know exactly how to work with you to create the perfect atmosphere you want for your wedding day.
Keep your communication open
Make sure you have communicated all of your hopes with your hired musicians. They should know when to arrive, set up, and how long they are playing for, and who to contact in case of emergency. Make sure you have a point of contact and telephone number to make sure they have what they need to be ready on time.
Finally
Live musicians can bring amazing energy and excitement to your wedding day. Use an agency like Music8 to vet your musicians before you book.
Great musicians will add a touch of magic to your big day without taking the attention off you and your partner. We hope this will help in finding your perfect wedding singers.