The Couples Guide to Choosing your Wedding Band/DJ

Our latest blog share from BVTLive!

“With the growth of the internet, technology, and the expansion of options in today’s world, searching for your dream Wedding Band or DJ can seem like an overwhelming and arduous task. There are many groups out there to sift through and with technology, even the most amateur of Band or DJ can make themselves seem to be an experienced professional. That is why it is important to know what to look for!
Finding the right music for your special day does not need to be a difficult task as long as you know what questions to ask and what to look for.
With 25 plus years of experience, Band Leader of Jellyroll, and President of BVTLive has put together the perfect guide to finding your dream Wedding Band or DJ.

1. What to Look for in a Live Band or DJ

Knowing the experience, stability, and reputation of a band or DJ will make the process of picking the right group much easier. These three ideas should be in the back of your mind while weeding through various choices in order to decide what is best for you.
Experience
How long has the band been together and how often do they perform?

  • The more a band or DJ works and the longer they have been together, the better
  • Has the band performed at your venue?
  • Bands who have performed at your venue will be more comfortable with the space and know how to perform to that specific room

Stability
band or djIs the band and what I see during their performance, what I can expect to get?
Turnover: How often do band members change?

  • When was the last time a band member left?
  • How often does the band work at weddings
    or high-end events?
  • ***Busy bands attract and retain top talent!

Reputation
Look for bands, DJ’s and entertainment companies with multiple solid reviews

A trustworthy review will include names, dates, and venues

Ask for referrals from venues, friends and other professionals

Awards

Look for awards the band or DJ has received: “Best of The Knot”, Wedding Wire’s “Couples Choice”, and other local or national awards

— Look for a band that performs at least 35 weddings annually. – The top bands perform at up to 80 weddings a year —

2. Understanding Pricing

band or djOne of the first questions you may ask when talking to a band or DJ is “How much do they cost?” In order to see what works best with your budget, take some time and take these aspects of pricing into consideration.
Pricing Will vary Based on Many Factors:
Size of band (number of musicians)
Time of year and day of week Saturdays in peak wedding season (April through December) are priced highest

  • How often does a band or DJ want to work? Bands or DJ’s that are happy working 35 dates a year may price Fridays and/or Sundays higher with less flexibility Full time DJ’s or bands with dedicated musicians may offer more flexible pricing on non-peak dates, with the goal of keeping everyone busy
  • —DEMAND— The most important factor in determining pricing Bands or DJ’s that are busy, are so because they do a great job and couples want them for that reason. The elite bands that are most sought after are able to ask for a higher fee. At the same time, an elite band that is able to ask for a higher fee, but wants to stay busy on off peak dates, will still be somewhat flexible. Venues, clients, and other people that have seen perfformances refer the best bands and DJs.  The demand is high because they can be depended upon to deliver consistently great performances

— Consider that an elite full time band MAY be up to 35% less expensive on a Friday or Sunday, as opposed to a Saturday! 

3. Experiencing and Making an Informed Decision on your Band/DJ

When it comes to your live entertainment, you don’t want any unpleasant surprises. In choosing your music you should enjoy the process of finding a band or DJ that is right for you. It should be fun, and a great band will offer a number of different ways for you to learn about and see their group.

Websites
Bios, Song Lists, Videos, and Reviews
  • A good website should contain everything a client needs to make an informed decision, especially if a couple cannot attend a showcase
Showcase

band or djMost bands offer the opportunity for you to see them either at a showcase or other live event
-00…Attend events and showcases and enjoy the process!
-Be sure that what you see is what you get. The best bands consists of musicians dedicated to their specific band’s success, and don’t typically use substitutes
​Song Choices
Review song lists and make sure your band will learn your special dances if they are not already part of their repertoire. Most bands will learn your first dance song, and a couple special dance songs

A band or DJ should value your requests as this is a key way that better bands stay in touch with their client’s preferences, and music trends

— Don’t feel rushed – The best bands and companies do not need to use pressure! Until you know you want a specific band, or if your wedding is on a very sought after date – do not hurry!! —

4. Trends

Every couple is different, and as soon as we think there is a trend, other requests are made. We are seeing more requests for old school funk, yet our couples are still requesting certain Top 40 songs, you never know! Keeping up with different trends is a fun way to keep your guests excited.
For song ideas and to see some of our most requested wedding songs, visit the #1 “songs for weddings” page in the world: www.bvtlive.com/songs-for-weddings

Keep Formalities to a Minimum, Maximizing Dancing Time
Introduce Bride & Groom only, or bridal party as a group
Remember that while a band leader is lining up your bridal party and reviewing pronunciations, you are missing your own party

If you decide to have the full bridal party introduced, recruit someone (perhaps best man?) to keep everyone together

Distribute the line up order to the bridal party in advance

Minimize Toasts & Speeches
​Use your rehearsal dinner for extra speeches and toasts

​Consider a Silent Cake Cutting
​More and more couples are eliminating the announcement for the cake cursing, as it interrupts the dancing

Bouquet and Garter
​Very rarely do we see bouquet tosses, and almost never see garter removal and tosses

— Use the song that you are introduced with as the last song of the night with the band performing the entire song, as opposed to just the part used for your intro —

5. Production

There is no reason why your wedding should not run smoothly, which is why production is essential. Your band should have all the necessary equipment and procedures prepared and ready to go at all times. Making sure your band is updated and informed on all logistics is a sure way to make everyone feel comfortable.
​Sound and Lighting
Your band or DJ should be “self contained.” That is, with all of the instruments and sound equipment necessary to provide the music for your wedding. It is not a bad idea to have a clause in the contract stating that a sound system will be supplied
Ceremonies: The sound for the celebrant is often overlooked. Be sure to discuss this with your band leader and venue event manager. Most bands will supply the sound for your ceremony at little or no extra charge

Other Logistics
It is important that your band leader or DJ is aware of load in procedures, storage policies, etc. Your venuewill probably have a vendor welcome letter so please be sure your band leader receives this.

Ceremony Location
​If your ceremony is in the same room as dinner and dancing, let your band leader or DJ know in advance as they may need to set up everything during the cocktail reception. This is not unusual, and bands familiar with the venue will be prepared. Bands or DJs new to the venue should know if a quick set up is involved as they may need additional personnel.

— Be sure your band or venue will provide sound production wherever necessary and that they will have access to the necessary electricity —

6. Other Considerations

Insurance
Be sure your band or DJ has at least a one million dollar liability policy, and ask for proof in the form of a certificate

Itinerary
Ask your band leader or DJ for itinerary to be developed and shared with your event planner prior to wedding to ensure that everyone is on the same page​​

Volume
Choose a band or DJ that uses the best technology to minimize loud stage sound. A great band is not necessarily loud!!

Dress
​Don’t assume that your band or DJ will dress appropriately. Be sure to discuss this. Professional bands will dress in tuxedoes, with the ladies in elegant dresses or gowns

— Communication is critically important so don’t take anything for granted. Discuss these considerations with your band in advance —

by BVTLive! June 11, 2018

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