Should we have a band?

1. As you're not paying a band, coupled with it being a friend (and your boss!), you'll have far less flexibility over song choices. If you have a good gauge on what your guests will want to hear and will respond to on the dancefloor, this can be disastrous;
2. Weddings are a very different beast to playing a pub gig, as there is an energy requirement needed to keep the dancefloor full all night that isn't there for public gigs - if the band in question are not used to playing events, or are made up of part-timers, you're rolling the dice that the front-man or woman will have the professionalism and experience to engage with your guests, and that the band will be able to minimise the gaps/silences between songs and read the crowd to keep them on the dancefloor. If their approach is going to be "We'll play the songs we like, if you like it then dance, if you don't we don't care", then your wedding will suffer as a result.
3. Generally part-timers won't have a sound engineer, which is suicide for a wedding - there are so many moving parts at play that require somebody driving the levels from the front, including speeches, volume concerns from older guests over dinner, differing mixes required over dinner as opposed to dancing and a semi-DJ role required to operate iPod for some special songs/band breaks.

Good luck, and all the best for an unforgettable wedding!

Gus

My advice is to honour yourself and be true to the vision you have for your special day.  I understand costs can be limiting however music is the soundtrack and is so important that the band or DJ is good quality and the style suits what you are after.  Listen to your inner voice and don't try to please everyone else.  This is your day not theirs.  Regards Casey

Hi Susann, very individual choice and it all depends on what type of wedding you are after. Having a band adds a personal touch to your wedding and most bands/musicians will be more than happy to learn songs just for your big day. So I am just wondering why they cannot learn your first dance song? Having live music creates a individual and special atmosphere. If you love live music I would say a band/musician is a must, if you just want to dance than a DJ would be fine too :) In your particular case, would not worry so much about if all guests will love it, it is your wedding and good friends will dance with you even if it is not exactly their music taste. I guess the question is if you will like if it is the opposite style of music? Maybe a compromise is the way to go - having them play for an hour or so and having a playlist with your music and what other people would love later.

Hi Susann.

A good band can be great! There is something about a live performance that is totally different from that of a DJ. That said, horses for courses. I offer a package where I perform guitar and vocals for wedding ceremony and pre-dinner drinks and then DJ for the remainder of the evening, this way my clients get a good mixture of both and they can also have considerable input as to what is played at certain stages of the day and evening. There are some definite advantages to having this band as a resource though.

Maybe they would be ideal for your engagement party (unless you've had it already) that way you tick a lot of the boxes you mentioned, and you can customise something a little more specific to your wedding. Importantly, your boss can come to your wedding as a guest and not feel the pressure of having to perform.

Good luck!

My advice is to go see a few bands and then decide. High energy bands are the best. Choose vibe and energy and how they interact with the crowd and each other over how well they can play. Also how much variety they can play. Sometimes you can choose your own songs that they can play. Hope that helps

Yes -if it's a good band.

With all the advancement in musical technology and popularity of DJ's and solo or duo musicians performing with recorded backing tracks there is still no substitute for the unique atmosphere that can only be created by highly skilled musicians performing live. It is true there is some risk in booking live entertainment for a wedding as if it is the wrong band it can be a disaster and actually have a detrimental effect, but book the right band and your guests will have a night that they will be raving about long into the future.

Hi, I think that its great to have a friends band in for a wedding if you are wanting that big party fun vibe. However they have to be able to tick few boxes for example reliable and good equipment and solid sets lists. Depending on the band and how professional they are, sometimes mates band are more laid back because they are getting paid less, they may also have longer breaks and drink all your beer haha! In the end if they are able to play the classic's everyone will love it, its way more fun having live music in particle if their good. I have played now a few weddings where the first dance was at the beginning, maybe you could sus a out a jazz band to come in for a couple sets prior and to playing you first dance. If you are able to find a compromise, your friends and family will love what you enjoy! All the best!

Hi there!

Happy to help ;)

My advice would be to have 1930's music on a playlist on iPod in between music set and have the band play their normal repertoire. First dance song could be on iPod also.

If you choose to look at other options for your wedding band please feel free to give me buzz. We would do a great job for you ;)

Greg Byrne

Lily Road