What to ask a wedding band or DJ when looking for 'the one'
Hey, I hope you're having fun organising your wedding! Are you getting there? Is this you, beautifully organised with a posh coffee, fresh flowers and winning at wedding planning? No? It’s okay, you are not alone. Most couples I speak to have post-it notes pinned everywhere but the donkey and have given up their posh coffee to pay for the honeymoon. It will all be worth it in the end though, I promise!
‘From Grandchildren to Great Grandparents &
Everyone in Between’
In this blog post, I suggest what to ask wedding bands and DJ's to make sure they have what it takes to give you and your guests the time of your lives! And you know what… you deserve nothing less!
There are an abundance of talented bands and DJ's available which is really brilliant news! What they really must have though is experience playing family celebrations along with a genuine ambition to entertain you and fill up your dance floor!
Wedding’s are usually made up of guests ranging from grand-children to great-grand-parents and everyone in between. It's really important for your band or DJ to be able to manage the music with great professionalism and so I’ve put together some questions for you to ask bands or DJs, when you’re searching for ‘the one’.
Our couple Rachel and Michael at the superb Alpheton Hall Barns in Suffolk. Lucky us! We always have the best view!
‘Smart kids ask questions’
1. Ask the band or DJ have they played at weddings before and how much experience do they have. My band’s been lucky enough to perform at over 500 weddings all over the UK yet we still learn something valuable at each new one we play. The more weddings your supplier has been a part of (preferably in a variety of venues) the better!
2. Talk to DJ’s and bands over the phone if you can and don’t be afraid to ask questions even if some sound silly - they won’t be! This will likely be your first time organising a wedding but professional bands and DJ's will be playing them week in, week out and so we are a great source of knowledge and can help give you ideas too.
Your band or DJ will be engaging with you and your guests on the night and so it's important that they have a bubbly, friendly approach and are full of genuine enthusiasm for your wedding. I'm a great believer in trusting your gut and so if your musicians or DJ make you feel happy and in safe hands when you chat, then you’re on to a winner already!
3. If it’s a band for you, ask how they perform their live sets. Is the playlist set in stone or can the musicians change it up as they go, like a great DJ can? No two weddings or parties are ever the same and an experienced wedding band won't stick to rigid set lists. Song flexibility is really important to get the party going and to keep it going too.
My band for example begins with a blank canvas and we read the room as we go. We ask for a list of favourite songs the hirer wants us to include from our song list in advance, have them in front of us and take it away from there. We play the songs we know will work best and most importantly, when to play them. This is a skill in itself and comes with experience and intuition.
I can’t express how important it is to hire a professional wedding band or DJ who play at weddings week in and week out. Not only will they have the appropriate paperwork, equipment and experience to play for you in wedding venues, but all the pros I know are incredibly committed to being there for you on your wedding day.
My band members have sung at weddings with raging fevers, food poisoning, allergic reactions, influenza and even broken ribs! Our audiences were none the wiser though because as the saying goes, the show MUST go on! And professional musicians and DJ’s are used to performing even when feeling under the weather. With clever strategies up our sleeves, we’ll still do a great job!
So if you're looking forward to feeling like this bride is, it's really worth the effort to look for professional wedding suppliers who care and have lots of experience in their field.
And your wedding will SOAR!
For more questions you may like to ask bands in particular, I wrote another piece about what we must do to make the magic happen. It's so much more than simply playing great songs so please do have a read!
And that's all for now except have a great day, whatever you're up to! I hope this advice has been useful and you may even have pinned a few more post-its to your walls. ;-)
Love Georgia xxx
Singer and Manager - Cupids Wish Wedding Band
