| Go to a reliable and trustworthy agent - Whilst it may | | | | dance as long as it can be adapted to the band line-up, |
| look impressive, be wary of agents that have an | | | | but don't leave this until the last minute! Professional |
| endless list of bands on their books, they cannot | | | | bands are very busy over the summer months so the |
| possibly vet and keep track of all of these bands and | | | | more notice you can give them better, and certainly no |
| the quality of what they are offering. It is often very | | | | less than three weeks. |
| difficult to arrange for clients to see professional | | | | Can your band provide any extras? - Some bands |
| function bands beforehand, as they tend to perform at | | | | may be able to offer you live background music during |
| private functions, so you are relying on the honesty | | | | the gap between your ceremony and wedding |
| and integrity of the agent. It is the agent's job to vet | | | | breakfast. Many couples like to have jazz or classical |
| and only recommend bands that they not only know | | | | music at this point, to create a little atmosphere whilst |
| are talented but are 100% reliable, are right for your | | | | welcome drinks and canapes are being serviced. Not |
| event, and have suitable back up plans to cover any | | | | only is it more economical to have the same group of |
| eventuality on the night. | | | | people performing (as there are no additional travel or |
| Check your venue allows bands - 90% of wedding | | | | set up costs) it also cuts down on coordination and |
| venues do, but don't assume it! | | | | equipment being carried through your reception. |
| Be realistic with your schedule - No matter how well | | | | Check your band has public liability insurance - many |
| you plan your evening, the ceremony may overrun, | | | | venues will not allow a band to perform without it, for |
| speeches may go on longer than planned, the meal | | | | obvious reasons. |
| may take half an hour longer than you expect. Allow a | | | | Has sufficient space been allowed for the band to set |
| little room for maneuvering. | | | | up? - Most venues have a designated area for bands |
| Allow time for the band to set up - If your meal is in a | | | | to set up in. It's best to check with them that this space |
| different room to where the band will be playing then | | | | will be available when the band arrives. If your venue is |
| you don't usually need to worry about this. If the band | | | | not used to having bands on a regular basis, make |
| is to set up in the same room as the meal, have you | | | | sure a suitable area is going to be left clear for when |
| allowed them time to do this without getting in the way | | | | the band arrive. |
| of the guests? Most bands will usually require 1-1.5hrs | | | | Has a room been set aside for the band? - After |
| to set up and sound check. This is best done after the | | | | setting up their equipment, the band will need |
| meal if there is sufficient time, or else before the meal | | | | somewhere to get changed and to keep their |
| begins - though this will usually carry an additional | | | | valuables. Many venues, particularly hotels, will have a |
| charge for the extras hours involved. | | | | spare room or conference room that they will be |
| Check that the band's equipment is PAT tested - | | | | happy to let the band use for this purpose. |
| many venues will ask to see the band's PAT (Portable | | | | Has food been arranged for the band? - It is likely that |
| Appliance Testing) certificate to prove that their | | | | your band will be at your venue for 6 hours or more |
| equipment has been tested and declared safe before | | | | and they will have been loading and unloading before |
| the band is allowed to set up. | | | | that. They will need to be fed during that time and it is |
| Does your band use good quality equipment? - A PAT | | | | normal practice for the client to provide a hot meal for |
| certificate shows that the equipment is safe to use, | | | | each band member. |
| though how good the sounds is, depends largely on | | | | Sound meters - These are electronic devices that |
| how much the band have invested in it. Even an | | | | some venues have fitted that tell the band (usually by |
| outstanding band will not sound good if they have | | | | way of a traffic light system) when they are playing |
| skimped on buying decent equipment. This again | | | | louder than the venue can allow. Professional bands |
| comes down to your agent knowing their bands well | | | | should adhere totally to this and turn their equipment |
| enough to be able to recommend them to you with | | | | down to a level that is within the limit set or else the |
| confidence. | | | | meter will trigger a temporary power cut to the band's |
| Does the band provide their own lighting? - Lighting | | | | equipment. |
| makes a big difference to the atmosphere of any | | | | ENJOY YOURSELF - This is YOUR wedding and it is |
| event. Your guests are far more likely to want to | | | | for YOU and your guests to enjoy. Of course you |
| dance under some appropriate disco lighting rather that | | | | want the evening to be special, enjoyable and |
| the full glare of the venue's main lights or near total | | | | memorable, but don't put so much pressure on |
| darkness. | | | | yourself that you spend more time worrying than |
| Can your band provide recorded music during breaks? | | | | enjoying your big day. Booking through a good agent |
| - Most bands should be able to offer this though it's | | | | will mean that the vetting has been done, your band |
| worth asking just in case. This will usually mean an | | | | knows what to do, when to do it and how to deal with |
| iPod or equivalent being played over the band | | | | any obstacles. Leave the management and planning to |
| speakers, though the quality of music will vary from | | | | them - that's part of what you're paying for after all, |
| band to band. | | | | peace of mind and assurance that things will be taken |
| First dance request - Most professional bands are | | | | care of for you on the most special day of your life! |
| happy to learn a song of your choosing for your first | | | | |