Booking a wedding band should be fun, but it can be a tricky and expensive process. You want to entertain your guests, but at the same time, you need your band to cater to a variety of tastes. Read on for some of our top tips on how to book a wedding band on a budget.
*This is a collaborative post.
*This is a collaborative post.Choose a package that suits you
Wedding bands are notoriously expensive, especially well-established ones with good reputations – that is why they are able to charge what they do. A good band can cost on average £900-£1300, according to Wed Magazine, but costs can easily rise for larger or more popular bands. . When it comes to a wedding, this may be considered relatively inexpensive considering the high costs of everything else. However, you don’t have the wedding band for the whole day so weighing up the expense for the hours you get in return is an important thing to bear in mind.
If you fancy a live band as well as a DJ, it could well be cost-effective to see if a wedding band offers a day package to suit all of your needs. Forking out for both a DJ and a wedding band could well exceed a modest budget. Many wedding bands now offer an additional DJ service and can entertain you throughout the day, so it is worth your while to check any packages they might have to offer.
If they don’t have an advertised package, talk to them about getting a quote for your custom requirements. As Function Central highlights, most bands will also provide their own equipment, which should include a PA sound system, microphones, backline amplifiers, and instruments., but do double-check. The last thing you want is a surprise cost.
Contracts are important
It may seem odd that you would need a contract for a band to play live at your wedding, but it is really important for projecting how much cash you splash. The contract will detail everything you are paying for and gives you that added security and peace of mind. A breakdown of costs is usually included, which will highlight how much money it would cost if the band were to play past a certain time, or if you requested extra hours. This way, you can rest easy, knowing the final cost will be within your budget. After all, you don’t want any hassle on the day of the wedding!
Ask for recommendations
You’ve probably asked for advice on every aspect of your wedding so far, so why not the wedding band? Friends and family are always on hand to offer suggestions, and who knows, maybe one of them is or knows someone in a band that could be available to play at your wedding. This is a great way to keep the price of a band down, especially if you are connected in some way. It is also worth asking around for bands that are fairly new or up and coming as they are less likely to charge premium prices as they want the exposure.
Go and see bands live
One of the best ways to sound out a band is to see them live, find out who booked them, and see if they have been good value for money. Plus, it will give you a good idea of what they sound like and the reaction of the audience. Going to a venue that books bands regularly will open your eyes to a variety of bands, music, and fees. If you can’t see them live, look for recordings on the internet or social media.
Once you’re happy with the band, get them booked ASAP, and look forward to boogying at your wedding!
*Disclaimer – This is a collaborative post. This post has been pre-written.
