BOOKING YOUR WEDDING BAND
Booking your wedding band doesn’t have to be as daunting as it seems. As long as you plan ahead and follow these simple steps, you’ll have your dream band booked and be looking forward to the best night of your life in no time!
When you search for wedding bands online, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number on offer. How do you choose which band is right for you? Don’t worry, we’re here to help!
Let’s get straight to it. Before you book any kind of band, consider the following:
How much do you want to spend on a wedding band?
Remember, this is likely to be the main entertainment during your big day and you and your guests deserve the best, so budget as much as you can to ensure your reception is as memorable as possible.
How much space do you have?
Find out from your venue how many musicians it can accommodate. You don’t want to book a huge band and then find out that there’s not enough space for them to perform. Equally, a small act will look lost on a giant stage. Balance is key.
What type of music do you want to listen to?
Do you like rock, pop, soul and Motown, indie and Britpop or a mixture of everything? Deciding on a genre for your band will help narrow down your choices.
What kind of atmosphere do you want to create at your reception?
Do you want a rustic, country feel, a bright and glitzy extravaganza or are you more into a cool rock concert vibe?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you should begin to get a feel for the type of band you’d like to hire.
When Should I Make My Booking?
Any agency will tell you the same thing. Book as early as possible. At Entertainment Nation our most popular acts get booked around 2 years in advance. The closer you get to the date of your wedding, the fewer bands will be available, so as soon as you’ve set the date, get searching!
So Much More Than A Band
Did you know that when you hire a wedding band, most will offer more than just your evening entertainment? There’s no need to worry about gaps between sets because a playlist DJ service will be provided as a minimum, so there’ll be no down time on the dance floor when the band aren’t on stage. Some even offer manned or professional DJ services, where a band-member will be on hand to take requests.
Many bands will offer daytime acoustic sets that are perfect for creating a laid-back and relaxing drinks reception. This will nearly always work out a lot cheaper than hiring a separate act to provide this service. So you can realistically book your entire day’s entertainment in one simple booking, and save money in the process!
Now we’ve covered the essentials, on to the fun bit… Let’s have a look at the types of wedding band available:
Pop and Rock Bands
By far the most popular type of act, a pop and rock band is a great choice if you’re looking for something for everyone. Packed with everything from classic rock riffs to contemporary chart hits, their eclectic repertoires will have guests young and old flocking to the dance floor as soon as the band hit the stage. You really can’t go wrong when you choose this type of act.
Acoustic Folk Bands
If you’re looking for a band who look and sound great in a barn setting, this is the type of band for you. They’ll perform folky versions of everything from rock n roll favourites to modern chart toppers, come dressed in rustic attire to complement your theme, and keep your dance floor full all night! Many come with saxophone as standard and are available in great-value trios up to sizeable 6-piece troupes. Perfect!
Soul and Motown Bands
If there’s a sure-fire way to get everyone up and dancing until their feet are sore, it’s playing some soul and Motown music! There’s nothing like a bit of Stevie Wonder or Chaka Khan to get those hips shaking and a flood of guests on the dance floor. Soul And Motown bands feature powerful vocals and funky baselines galore to create the perfect party atmosphere. Line-ups are usually variable, and most bands offer the option to add in brass instruments and extra singers to make them sound even more incredible!
Indie and Britpop Bands
If you want your guests swaying arm in arm, belting out lyrics to anthemic songs, hiring an indie and Britpop band is the way to do it. Take you guests on a nostalgia trip as these super-cool bands perform tracks by indie rock legends such as Oasis, Blur, The Kooks, Suede, The Verve and more. It’ll be like having your very own headline act at your wedding.
Show Bands
If you want glitz, glamour and pizazz, this is the type of band for you. Size-wise, this is where things get interesting. Luxury show bands come in all shapes and sizes, from funky 4-piece groups to stage-bursting mega-bands complete with horn and string sections and even dancers. The sky really is the limit! They’ll play upbeat pop, soul and dance classics that will encourage everyone onto the dance floor. No-one will forget a performance by a luxury show band in a hurry.
Jazz and Swing Bands
If you’re having a vintage-themed wedding, what better way to bring it to life than hiring a spectacular jazz and swing band? Your drinks reception can ooze class and sophistication and your evening celebrations can take on a Postmodern Jukebox-style feel when you book one of these super-talented bands. Pass the champagne please!
Speciality Acts
Maybe you’re looking for something specific? An 80s cover band, a rock n roll 50s-style group or a tribute to your favourite artist? Whatever you want, you’re likely to find a speciality act to tickle your fancy.
Wedding Bands For All Budgets
We get it – wedding costs can easily spiral out of control if you’re not careful and sometimes a 4 or 5-piece band is simply out of budget. So what can you do instead? Don’t worry – there are some incredible cost-effective options out there! A duo, or even solo act can create an electric atmosphere to rival a larger band. With the use of backing tracks or loop pedals to create a full sound, these talented musicians will whip your crowd into a frenzy and give everyone a night to remember.
Why Book Through An Agency?
There are so many reasons why booking through an agency like Entertainment Nation is a great idea:
There are hundreds of quality acts available – There’s so much choice and our acts are vetted by industry experts so you can be assured of their pedigree.
Excellent Trustpilot reviews – Our reviews speak for themselves. You’ll be getting unrivalled, friendly service every step of the way.
You can view before you book – Each band has a video on their profile to help you see their true performance.
Your booking is secure – We provide legal contracts for all our bookings for your peace of mind.
We’re here when you need us – We’re open every day including Sundays and bank holidays to make it as easy as possible for you to get in contact.
It’s hassle-free – It’s so easy to fill in an enquiry form and your quote will be with you really quickly! With nearly all bands, everything is included, from PA and lighting systems to travel costs. It’s simple, fast and painless!
How Can I Get Started?
Hopefully you will now feel inspired and looking forward to booking your wedding band! If you’re excited to start your search, why not check out the incredible range of wedding bands available at Entertainment Nation? As well as wedding bands, there’s a huge range of stunning classical musicians, daytime acoustic acts, DJs, magicians and more. Take a look – you won’t be disappointed!
View the full Entertainment Nation Listing on The Wedding Guide UK. You can also email them for a quote
Thanks to Steven and Charlotte at Entertainment Nation
