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| If U2 plays your wedding reception, you're probably going to need more amps. |
Selecting
the music for your wedding reception requires making numerous decisions, the
first of which is whether to hire a band or DJ. Now, I’m not going to lie, couples
that choose the DJ route often have fewer subsequent decisions to make. For
those that choose a band, well, the work pretty much doesn’t abate until the
moment the band starts to play.
This
doesn’t mean that one option is better than the other. Despite there being more
work associated with it, a band can bring a higher level of energy and uniqueness
to music that a DJ might not be able to match. What it does mean is that
couples wanting a band to play at their reception must be more involved in the
band’s selection and operation.
When
investigating and interviewing bands, consider:
Whether
you have ever seen or heard the band before. Hiring a band that you haven’t
seen in action is pretty risky: you never know how the members will act or what
music they will play.
Whether
you’ve seen the band working a wedding reception. Wedding receptions require a
unique level of energy; the music played at a reception must be upbeat, fun and
energetic without verging on being out of control or offending anyone (risqué lyrics
are a no-no in our book). Although there are always exceptions, hiring a band
that has worked wedding receptions means that the band not only understands the
mood they need to set, but has actually set that mood in the past.
Whether
your venue allows a band to play. Some venues in locations with restricted
noise levels may prohibit bands. Also note that some venues may require that
any music, including that created by a band, stop at a certain hour. This will
affect a band’s contract: if you hire the band for five hours, but they can
only play for four because of noise restrictions or cut-off-times, you’re
paying for an extra hour and getting nothing.
Whether
the venue’s electric system can support the electric and amplification
requirements for the band’s equipment. The instruments, speakers and other
electrical equipment a band brings with them often require additional voltage,
wiring or other electricity needs. A venue lacking these capabilities may mean that
hiring a band just isn’t possible.
The
band’s demands. Does the band require a hotel room to stay the night after they’re
done playing? Do they need a special-sized loading dock? Do they request a
private changing room, food or drinks? Where are they willing to store their
equipment? All of these considerations affect the band’s operation and, hence,
how you must accommodate them (meaning more decisions) and possibly that you
must spend more money on them then what is included in their fee.
Whether
a manager accompanies them while they play. Recently, I was impressed by the fact
that 39 Mariner arrived at C&M’s wedding reception with a manager. Not only
did the manager take care of all of the band’s needs, but he also saw to the
electric requirements and ensured that the band sounded their best at all times
by changing the equipment tune and volume through an iPad. Although band
members or a wedding planner can often handle these tasks, the presence of an
on-site manager provides unparalleled caretaking of the band and ensures that
the music sounds the best it can.
In
the end, do what makes the most sense for your budget, schedule and needs – and
then make sure to have fun dancing the night away, regardless of what or who
produces the music at your reception.
