Picking the right wedding music for your reception isn’t easy. Does the mere thought of picking a cheesy wedding singer dressed in a blue suit like Adam Sandler’s Robbie Hart character in “The Wedding Singer” make you cringe? Does picturing a DJ at your reception remind you too much of high school dances in the gym? Have no fear. We’ve got the tips you need to take a new twist on your reception with wedding band music that will have your guests talking about your special day for years to come.
Match the theme of your night to the band you choose and wow your audience.
Picking the Right Wedding Music
Swing, jazz, bebop, hip hop. If any one of those styles of music or other genres perk your interest more than your cousin’s offer to sing hits from a microphone, it’s time to give some bands a serious look.
Match the theme of your night to the band you choose and wow your audience. Here are some examples:
- A casual summer evening wedding blends well with a rockabilly group.
- Does your wedding theme harken back to the days of Great Gatsby? A 1920s brass band spewing out jazz, Broadway and ragtime tunes is the way to go.
- A New Year’s Eve wedding full of glitz and glam pairs nicely with a fun 1940s bebop band.
- A tuxedo affair full of sophistication and charm calls for a 1950s jazz band.
- Maybe you’re looking to recall the days of the Rat Pack’s glory in Las Vegas? Pair a Big Band or Swing band with your reception.
- Going country chic? Find the best bluegrass or honkytonk band that will get your guests kicking their shoes to the side of the dance floor and kicking those heels up.
Band Audition Interview Tips
Interviewing wedding music groups isn’t easy. Make sure you ask these questions with each and every band before you make a decision:
- How much is the band going to charge and how many hours are included in each package?
- How much extra will it cost for continuous music (no breaks during sets)?
- Is there a setup and breakdown fee and do you perform those services?
- What is your refund policy if we have to reschedule our wedding?
- Do you have all the equipment you need or do we need to rent anything you need?
- Can you go through all the fees in the contract?
- Can we come take a quick look at a wedding you’re performing to watch you in action?
- Can you play the songs that are most important to us?
- Do you have liability insurance?
- Do you have replacements if band members are sick on the day of the wedding?
Band Tip Breakdowns
We’ve got the tips you need to take a new twist on your reception with wedding band music that will have your guests talking about your special day for years to come.
Once you make a decision, you must make sure you go over the following with your chosen band before your special day:
- This isn’t Saturday night at the local pub. Make sure the band knows your audience and the age group range of your guests so the band pairs nicely with its audience. You don’t want everyone scratching their heads to songs as they look at an empty dance floor.
- Have a game plan in place for the band and be clear how special requests should be handled up front. This is your day, so you control the band and what they play first and foremost.
- Make sure they know the songs that you need them to play at the times you request. We’re talking about your first dance as a couple and dances with the relatives.
- Make sure the band can conform to the venue and not the other way around. Ideally, the band should perform for you at your venue before the wedding so it’s also clear the equipment will fit within the confines of their play area.
Band Dance Lessons
The music you hired your band to play might not be everyone’s style. There are also always some guests that don’t know the dance moves and are hesitant to get on the dance floor. Consider hiring dancers to match the theme as entertainment that can help your shy cousin get out on the floor after a couple of cocktails. Also consider contacting a local dance school to find dancers to demonstrate dance moves before the reception or before the music ramps up. This will give couples the confidence to dance like Fred and Ginger at your wedding.
The Roberts Centre’s wedding event planning staff can help you with all of your wedding details, including assisting you or the band you choose with audio/visual services.
Band Backups
Bands can be used for other purposes besides your wedding reception.
Here’s some suggestions to take your wedding music experience to another level:
- Consider a string quartet that can play softly during cocktail hour or play while you walk down the aisle.
- Bands can play during dinner before you let your wedding reception band let it rip.
- Hire the local high school’s drum line to make a bass thumping introduction for the newlyweds as they enter their reception. That will wake your wedding party up after dinner and get them out on the dance floor.
Now that you have the tips you need to choose the perfect wedding music, it’s time to hold a beautiful reception that can accommodate your guests and your band at The Roberts Centre! The Roberts Centre’s wedding event planning staff can help you with all of your wedding details, including assisting you or the band you choose with audio/visual services. Contact us today at 937-283-3272.
