| Choosing a live band for a wedding reception can be | | | | Jazz bands also create a cool atmosphere, but are |
| bewildering. With so many different styles of music | | | | much more diverse, available in formats from solo |
| and the venue, guests and budget to consider, | | | | pianists to big bands. Many can provide both mellow |
| where do you start? | | | | dinner jazz and seriously danceworthy jazz-funk. If |
| We've written this guide to help you work out what | | | | you're a jazz fan, you can ask for a set that displays |
| kind of band would suit you best, find the right one | | | | the band's musical credentials to full effect, or you |
| and explain what you need to tell them to create a | | | | can work with them to get something more gentle. |
| party you'll always remember - and to make sure | | | | Despite the popularity of the newer bands, music |
| you enjoy the process! | | | | such as klezmer for Jewish weddings and dhol for |
| Choosing a style of music to suit you and your | | | | Asian weddings always makes a traditional wedding |
| guests | | | | special. |
| Wedding bands will always create a great | | | | So now you know which style you want, how do |
| atmosphere, and make your wedding reception | | | | you choose between the bands who play in that |
| memorable, but what exactly would you like your | | | | style? |
| band to do for you? Would you like them to get | | | | You can get to know more about a band by looking |
| even the most bashful guests on the dance floor, | | | | at the information they provide; all of our acts have |
| and be a focal point of the evening's entertainment? | | | | a profile page on our website featuring a biography, |
| Or perhaps your guests aren't really into dancing, and | | | | photos, audio samples of their playing, a repertoire list |
| you'd like the music to create a sophisticated | | | | and testimonials from previous clients. Some also |
| backdrop? Wedding bands can do everything from | | | | have video clips to view online. |
| evoke the music that was playing when you first | | | | Wedding bands usually play songs exactly as they |
| met to providing you with a set of the latest chart | | | | are on the record, but some enhance them with new |
| hits. With so much choice, where do you start? | | | | arrangements and medleys of popular hits. |
| To get guests of all ages dancing, hire a rock and | | | | A lot of wedding bands can provide solo pianists or |
| pop band to play fifties to naughties classics. These | | | | acoustic guitar options as well as a full band show, so |
| bands tend to be the most versatile and cover | | | | would be able to provide you with music at other |
| everything from well-known Beatles and Stones | | | | points during the day - for example, during the meal |
| favourites to recent chart hits, and will delight a | | | | or while your photos are taken. This can save a |
| diverse crowd by playing something for everybody. | | | | considerable amount of money, and helps keeps your |
| They'll also be able to include soul and funk, such as | | | | on-the-day contacts to a minimum. |
| Stevie Wonder and Jamiroquai. | | | | Band or DJ? |
| If you'd like your soul and funk straight up without | | | | Wedding bands create a wonderful atmosphere, |
| rock, specialist soul and funk bands can provide a | | | | making an event lively and memorable, but |
| dance-along soundtrack to your event. Some are | | | | sometimes logistics or budget mean it isn't possible to |
| basic and compact, while others can add horn | | | | hire a band, or you'd prefer not to have a band as |
| sections for a more authentic experience; all of them | | | | the focal point of the event. Hiring a wedding DJ |
| have a repertoire that revolves around classics by | | | | means that you won't get the spontaneity and stage |
| artists such as James Brown and Aretha Franklin, | | | | show a live wedding band can provide, but you'll |
| with many adding modern chart hits and requests. | | | | probably get a greater choice of songs - many of |
| Some even focus on a 70s disco theme, with | | | | our wedding DJs carry up to 10,000 tunes to each |
| appropriate costumes. | | | | wedding, and often provide state-of-the-art lighting. |
| If you're serious about your theme and want to take | | | | They can compere and make announcements, or |
| it a bit further, how about a dedicated theme or | | | | stick to the music. |
| tribute band? These aren't just for clubs and parties, | | | | If you're already hiring a band, you probably don't |
| and will give you a great visual show that creates a | | | | need a DJ as well - most bands will play recorded |
| focal point for your reception as well as music to | | | | music between their sets, and some can even |
| dance to. If you have lots of guests of the same | | | | provide a stripped down DJ service with mixed music |
| age, they will love experiencing the sights and sounds | | | | through a laptop and lighting. |
| of their favourite era! | | | | Working with your venue and other practical |
| If you want the same level of entertainment, but | | | | arrangements |
| have a lot of different age groups and lots of | | | | Most of our bands will be happy to talk through their |
| children will be attending the reception, Ceilidh bands | | | | set list with you nearer to the day of the wedding |
| can provide great party music. Most will play a | | | | and make sure your favourites are included, especially |
| mixture of English, Irish and Scottish music, | | | | your first dance or special song. Wedding bands are |
| accompanied by a caller who can guide everyone | | | | used to working to tight schedules, and will be happy |
| through the steps. They can also provide a selection | | | | to work around your plans. All our bands use their |
| for shanties, ballads and folk songs for more relaxed | | | | own equipment, so you won't have to worry about |
| moments and breaks in the dancing. | | | | organising this. |
| If you're keen on dancing but don't go for Ceilidh, and | | | | While some venues are designed for live music, such |
| want something exotic and colourful, Latin bands can | | | | as pubs and clubs, others might not give you as |
| provide a sultry soundtrack to your evening. They | | | | much space as you'd like, or impose sound |
| cover everything from Ricky Martin chart hits to | | | | restrictions with a noise limiter. If your venue seems |
| Latin standards that only serious aficionados will | | | | too small, or unsuitable for live music, don't give up. A |
| recognise, but all of it will get your guests moving. | | | | good wedding band will have plenty of experience at |
| World music from all corners of the globe is becoming | | | | dealing with restrictions like this, and most bands will |
| increasingly popular at more cosmopolitan weddings, | | | | be able to adapt to your situation. Many bands can |
| providing something quirky and interesting for guests. | | | | adjust the way they work to your venue - for |
| Another original option is a Rat-Pack style singer - the | | | | example, they can keep the volume down by using a |
| recent revival of swing and its evocation of an | | | | backing track instead of live drums, or fit into a |
| elegant age has led to a huge increase in the number | | | | smaller space by using fewer musicians. |
| of tributes available. These artists are popular for | | | | When you book your band, it's a good idea to tell us |
| sit-down events, or where there isn't so much | | | | as much as you can about the venue they'll be |
| dancing and you'd like to create a cooler, more | | | | playing in - for example, unloading and venue access |
| glamorous atmosphere. | | | | details, stage size and noise limiters. |