If you’ve never hired a live band before – and let’s face it, most of us haven’t – you’ve probably got a million questions about it. There are so many spectacular wedding bands for hire in every shape, size and style, so where do you start?
We’re here to help with every aspect of booking live entertainment for your big day. We’ll leave no stone unturned and answer all your questions about hiring your dream act! So, let’s get started and delve into the wonderful world of wedding bands…
Why Should I Hire A Wedding Band?
Quite simply, nothing beats the buzz and excitement of a live wedding band at your wedding reception. The live gig experience is second to none when it comes to enticing your guests onto the dance floor – pre-recorded music just can’t compete! If you want your guests dancing arm in arm, belting out the lyrics to absolute bangers and jumping around like they’re 16 again, there is simply no better way to achieve this than hiring a live band. It’s the most effective way to make your wedding reception completely unforgettable!
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Wedding Band?
The price of hiring a wedding band is usually between £1700 and £2400 depending on the following factors.
1. The size of your wedding band – Bigger bands usually cost more to hire.
2. The distance the band has to travel – The price of transportation is included in your quote, so if you want to keep costs down, it makes great sense to try and find a band based close to your wedding venue.
3. The date of your wedding – Fridays and Saturdays in Summer as well as Christmas and New Year are always at a premium due to their popularity. Weekday weddings are usually the cheapest.
4. The popularity and experience of the band.
What Types Of Band Are Available To Hire?
At Entertainment Nation you’ll find bands who play in pretty much every style you can think of. From charismatic folk-acoustic bands to thrilling pop and rock bands and classy jazz and swing bands to fresh dance bands complete with live DJ – no matter what your style, you’ll find a wedding band to wow your crowd and keep them dancing ’til the early hours.
My Venue Has A Sound Limiter. Can I Still Hire A Wedding Band?
Many venues have sound limiters in place which prevent bands from playing music over a predefined decibel level. Don’t worry though – there are still so many amazing bands to choose from and most will be able to easily play within the restrictions of your venue. Just let your sales adviser know what level your limiter is set at when choosing your band and they’ll be able to recommend acts who’ll be able to play for you, or may be able to use electric drum kits to keep the noise under control!
Before hiring a wedding band it’s important to ask them the following questions:
1. Is there a sound limiter and what dB level is it set at? As mentioned, it’s imperative you find this out before booking.
What Do I Need To Find Out From My Venue?
2. When is curfew? Most venues have a curfew of midnight, but a few will let you party on until 1am. If you’re one of the lucky few with a later curfew, ask your adviser to recommend bands that offer a late finish.
3. How much space is available for the band? Make sure you don’t hire a band and then find out there isn’t enough room for them to perform!
For marquee weddings…
4. Is there a power supply and flat surface available for the band? This doesn’t have to be an actual stage, but bands need a flat surface to perform on for safety reasons.
How Far In Advance Should I Book My Wedding Band?
Our advice is always to book your wedding band as soon as you’ve booked your wedding venue. Why? The most popular wedding bands get booked over two years in advance, so to avoid the disappointment of finding out someone has beaten you to it and booked your favourite band on your wedding date, get on the search ASAP!
If you don’t have much time until your big day but still want to hire a band, don’t despair. Contact us and our advisers will be able to send you a selection of high-quality bands available on your wedding date.
How Long Do Wedding Bands Perform For?
Most bands will be on stage for two full hours split into either 2x 60-minute or 3x 40-minute sets with the former being the most popular choice. Our experience has taught us that this is the perfect amount of live music for a wedding but don’t worry if you want even more! Some bands offer extra sets for a small additional fee.
What Time Will The Band Arrive And How Long Does The Sound Check Take?
Most bands will arrive between 5pm and 6pm, giving them plenty of time to complete their set up and sound check before your first dance. The sound check usually takes just over an hour for a 3 or 4-piece band but can take up to three hours for much larger bands or those with sound engineers and complex sound systems. The sound check is usually unobtrusive, and your venue should be able to recommend ways of steering your guests away from the dance floor at this time, so you’ll probably not even notice the band are there! If you need your musicians to arrive earlier to set up, many bands are happy to offer this service, so check with your adviser when choosing your band.
Can Wedding Bands Perform At My Drinks Reception?
There are lots of wedding bands who offer daytime services for a small additional fee. Usually, one or two band members will perform a laid-back acoustic set of songs to help create a sunny and enjoyable atmosphere at your drinks reception. Others offer jazz sets, sax sets and even full band performances! Hiring daytime entertainment as an add-on to your evening band hire will nearly always work out a lot cheaper than hiring a separate act, so it’s something we would highly recommend if you want to add some extra musical magic to your day.
What Do I Need To Provide For My Wedding Band?
We kindly ask that you provide drinking water and a meal for your wedding band to help give them the energy they need to perform their absolute best for you. If you’re having a buffet, let them loose on that (there’s always too much food!) If you’re having a 3-course sit-down menu, ask your venue to source a meal for them instead.
Bands will also need ample parking with easy access to the venue for their instruments and a place to get changed and store their belongings safely.
Do I Need To Hire A DJ For Between Sets?
There’s no need to hire a DJ for the times the band are offstage. As standard, most bands provide a ‘playlist DJ service’ where music is played through a laptop or tablet to ensure your guests stay glued to the dance floor. Many bands offer an upgrade to a ‘manned DJ service’ where a member of the band can take requests and will read the room and choose the right songs to play. Other bands offer a full DJ set with mixing decks and lighting. (This tends to be bands who include a pro-DJ as part of the band itself).
What Is Included In My Quote?
When you hire a wedding band from Entertainment Nation, pretty much everything is included! Nearly every band will include the following in their quote:
- Two full hours of performance time
- A PAT-tested PA system and lighting equipment
- Travel expenses
- DJ Playlist service
- Public Liability Insurance
- Midnight finish
- 5-6pm arrival time
Additional add-ons often include:
- Daytime entertainment
- DJ upgrades
- 1am finish
- Extra sets
- Early set up
- Extra band members
Will A Wedding Band Play Our First Dance?
We love that bands do this! Nearly all wedding bands offer to learn and play your first dance (as long as it’s in keeping with the style of music they play). Dancing to a unique rendition of your special song is absolutely magical and makes the whole experience more personalised and meaningful. A lot of couples tell us it was the highlight of their entire day!
Why Should I Book Through An Agency?
There are myriad reasons you should always book your wedding band through a reputable agency like Entertainment Nation. For example:
1. Your booking is safe and secure. You’ll be provided with a robust contract between you and the band and your booking fee is taken through our secure booking system. This means that in the incredibly unlikely event that something should go wrong on your wedding day, such as a band member being sick and unable to perform, we’ll sort it out, so your day runs smoothly and you don’t have to worry. You can’t guarantee this without booking through an agency!
2. You’ll have an expert adviser on hand at every step of the way. From your initial enquiry right through to your big day, you’ll receive top-quality customer care. They’ll help you choose a band, guide you through the hassle-free booking system and make things easy for you the whole way through the process. No question is too small, so don’t be afraid to ask them!
3. Get access to the country’s best wedding bands. Every act available for hire at Entertainment Nation has been vetted by industry experts, has years of experience and comes with glowing reviews from past clients. Browse through hundreds of professional wedding bands guaranteed to keep your dance floor rocking all night.
How Do I Book A Wedding Band?
If you’re ready to get the party started and start the search for the ultimate wedding band, head over to Entertainment Nation and check out the jaw-dropping range of incredible wedding bands for hire. Enquire about your favourites and we’ll get back to you with a fully comprehensive quote quick as a flash. From there, we can guide you through our simple and stress-free booking process and get your dream wedding entertainment in the bag! See you there!
