Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming process; you want everything to be perfect from the food to the flowers, and of course, the entertainment. We work with couples all the time who tell us that they had no idea where to start, or which questions to ask when looking for their wedding entertainment. At BVTLive!, we know that when it comes to wedding entertainment, the best live wedding band is a wonderful way to add excitement and atmosphere to your special day!
With that being said, you need to make sure you are choosing the right band, so before you book a live wedding band, here are seven questions we recommend asking them. These questions have been curated from our decades of experience in the live wedding entertainment industry.
1. What Is Included In Your Wedding Band Pricing?
After talking with great wedding bands about your needs, you should have received a price for their services. Rates can vary greatly for bands and one of the most important things to find out is what is actually included with that price? Keep in mind that prices can vary for a single band depending on what is needed, the location, time of year, and even day of the week!
Quality bands are priced higher because they have the experience and reputation to back them. Many wedding bands musicians have extensive accolades. For example, in the bands at BVTLive!, we have musicians who have recorded and performed with musical icons such as Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, and many more! This quality guarantees a professional and seamless experience for you and your guests, as well as a party that keeps the dance floor packed!
The best wedding bands will have packages that include everything that you will need for your big day; Ceremony music, cocktail hour music, reception music, MC services, sound system, stage lighting etc.… Be sure to ask if there are extra fees involved for things like travel and lodging, and peak-season pricing.
#WeddingProTip – In Pennsylvania there is no tax on entertainment services so make sure you check the laws for your state.
2. Can Your Band Match My Vision?
It is important to keep in mind what you want your wedding day to look and feel like. Have a discussion with your partner about what kind of wedding you want to have, and that will help you what type of entertainment you are looking for!
Do you want an interactive band that will get on the dance floor and party with you and your guests, or do you want a more conservative band that will stay on stage and just play the songs that you love? Ask the band what their style is and if they are willing to accommodate to your vision.
#WeddingProTip – we recommend booking your wedding entertainment as soon as you nail down your venue. Entertainment should be booked 15-18 months before the date of your wedding to ensure availability.
3.Does Your Wedding Band Have A Song List?
The top wedding songs your band will play at your reception will set the tone for your evening, and you should have a big say in those song choices! Your band should be able to provide a song list, that contains many different songs from different genres so all age ranges at your party are accounted for. If there are certain wedding love songs that are special to you and your partner, but you don’t see them on their list, ask the band if they have any additional songs not listed, or if the band can learn a few songs for you. At BVTLive! our bands can learn up to four new songs for each event that caters to the couples’ specific desires. However, some other bands have song lists that are set in stone.
#WeddingProTip – Always make sure your wedding band is insured.
Other things to ask your band is if they will be playing live music for the entirety of your reception. Some bands choose to play tracks rather than learn songs for first dances or special moments. This means you won’t be getting live musicians for the entirety of your wedding. It’s up to you to decide if that is a dealbreaker or not!
4. Can Your Wedding Band Accommodate My Timeline?
The timeline of your day is an essential part of making sure everything runs smooth. Make sure the band has the capabilities of working with your timeline. Ask if they set up ahead of time so that everything looks nice and ready to go by the time you get to the reception space. Once the reception starts, your band is really in charge of running the entire evening. Even if you have a wedding planner, your band will be the one MCing and communicating with your guests throughout the night. Be sure that they have experience running a wedding and that they are willing to work with you, your venue, and you’re planning to create a timeline that will guarantee a smooth and successful event!
#WeddingProTip: September through December are the months with some of the highest demand! The best wedding bands will always have options of upgrading certain aspects such as staging and extra lighting, but make sure the basics of everything you need are covered so that you will not be hit with any unexpected costs.
5. Will Your Band Communicate With Me Throughout The Wedding Process?
5. Will Your Band Communicate With Me Throughout The Wedding Process?Ask your band, and specifically your bandleader, how they conduct themselves during the planning process. Is there anything that you need to take care of logistically, or will they work with other vendors and the venue themselves? Ask if they are available for questions through each step of wedding planning. Lastly, ask if they have worked with this venue before.
The best wedding bands are familiar with most of the area’s venues, and it is an extra leg up when the band knows how to navigate the space already. At BVTLive!, we strive to have seamless communication throughout the entire booking and wedding planning process. From initial consultation through to the wedding day itself we are there every step of the way.
6. Where Can I Read Your Wedding Band Reviews?
Reviews are one of the best ways to see what other people’s experiences are with the band you are looking at. It can give insight to many things you don’t see until the wedding day happens: event flow management, MC abilities, timing, etc. With today’s technology, it is very easy for a band to make themselves look good on the surface, so real client testimonials are very important!
When a band is willing and ready to provide reviews, it is a good sign that people are having positive experiences with them. It will also give you an opportunity to see if others have run into any issues with the band and a heads-up if you need to approach them with more questions on how they plan to manage your big day.
#WeddingProTip – BE AWARE, some bands will create fake reviews, so if they only have reviews typed on their website, ask if they have any video testimonials or at least reviews on public forums such as Wedding Wire, or Google Business where couples need to have an account to write a review.
BVTLive! is proud to have over 1,000 positive Wedding Wire reviews!
7. Can I See Your Wedding Band Live?
There are many ways to book your wedding band and videos can be a great tool! If you happen to be local to where the bands are based, live wedding band showcases are THE best way to see your band live and in action. Promo videos and social media are great tools to see your band perform, but nothing beats a live wedding band showcase.
When you can see a band live it helps you fully imagine how they will look and sound on your wedding day. At BVTLive! we host a live band showcase twice a month to give couples the chance to come out and see our bands live and in action. We do this to take the stress off booking your entertainment, so that couples can come watch them live and book with confidence. If your band doesn’t have public live shows available, ask to see videos of them performing live which will still give you an inside look into their musicianship and performance style.
Wedding Band Questions? Ask BVTLive!
Booking your live wedding entertainment is a huge step in the process and these questions will help prepare you to make all your dreams come true!
At BVTLive! we have the expertise and knowledge on how to create a seamless flow for a perfect day. These are the questions we most commonly hear and the ones we love to answer. By asking these questions you can be sure to find the right band for your perfect wedding day. So don’t wait, and start asking these questions today.
Kurt Titchenell
Guided by his experience as the bandleader of Philadelphia’s top band, Jellyroll, and President of BVTLive!, Kurt Titchenell has kept dance floors packed and created unforgettable memories for thousands of events nationwide! Widely acclaimed as an entertainment expert, Kurt and BVTLive! have earned the most prestigious accolades in the industry. Most notably were two Jellyroll performances at The White House. Kurt's dedication to the success of every event is evident through his passion for creating the ultimate party experience. As President of BVTLive!, Kurt is committed to making your event a success.