Questions to Ask Live Bands
How many members are in the band? What instruments?
How many of them sing?
The more singers there are the better, the more instruments
there are the 'fuller the sound'
How long have they been together as a group, with
their current personnel? Groups that have
just been formed pose the potential for problems if the group breaks up.
Approximately half of all bands formed break up before their first anniversary.
The longer they have been together, the more likely they will be to remain
together until your wedding date. Check that they are together 3,2, and
1 month before your wedding
How many songs on their song list? What styles
of music do they play?
Do they play the kind of music you want at your wedding?
How much do they charge for an "x" hour
reception? Are there any other ancillary charges, e.g. expenses, traveling
etc?
You want to know exactly how much they are going
to cost, the last thing you want is a bigger bill then you anticipated
What will they wear?
After all you don't want them turning up inappropriately
dressed do you?
Do they do more then one gig in a day?
Could be a problem if they are late leaving their
last gig to make it to your reception.
How long do they require to set up? and is their
'set up time' chargeable?
You want to make sure that they are set up and ready
to play when your guests arrive at the reception, even if they are not
supposed to start playing right away. You don't wand the 'band' carrying
equipment in past guests and tuning their instruments while you are receiving
your guests at the reception.
How many and long are their breaks? Do they provide
any music during the breaks?
You don't want too many breaks or for too long.
Can you request any special music during the breaks?
Will they learn any special songs if they're not
already on their song list?
All couples have their 'Special Song' and it's nice
if it can be played for your first dance.
Do they expect to be fed?
Assumptions are a bad thing, find out before so
everyone knows where they stand.
How much do they require for a deposit and when
do they require the deposit to be paid?
Helps in planning the financial of the wedding.
How do they expect to be paid? Cash? Cheque? or
Credit card?
If they require cash you want to make sure you have
enough on you on the day.
Do they expect payment in full before on on the day of the reception?
Are they experienced in doing weddings?
It may seam a 'too obvious a question' to ask, but
you want a band who is experienced in dealing with small audiences, know
how to dress and behave appropriately.
If you are booking a band through an agency, will
you be able to talk directly with the band leader?
Sometimes agency will assume details, and we all
know what happens when assumption rears it's ugly head don't we?
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