Everything You Need to Know About Having a Live Band at Your Wedding

Having a live band at your wedding is a fun and unique way to set the mood of your party! With so much local talent here in Colorado, chances are you could hire your favorite band to play your wedding reception. If you’re really into live music and concerts, this could be the perfect way to make your celebration more tailored to the two of you! With having a live band at your wedding, there are a few things to consider logistically. Let’s dive in…

Budget for a Band

Before you start booking any vendors or venues, you should consider your budget. If you’re thinking about having a live band at your wedding, be sure to consider this in the overall budget, but allow some wiggle room. Band prices vary widely and they are typically more expensive than just hiring a DJ. Try to set a budget range before you get too deep into looking for a band so you don’t get carried away in the process.

Live Band Services

When you hire a DJ, you’re getting so much more than just a music playlist. Similarly, when hiring a live band, it’s best to ask what services are included when you hire them. Ask if they also offer emcee & ceremony services. You still need music for the ceremony and you will need someone to make announcements throughout the reception to keep things moving and on track. Usually bands offer this for an additional fee, so make sure you’re discussing these services up front.

Lodging

Don’t forget about lodging costs! If your band is coming in from out of town they’ll likely require lodging. Some bands will simply account for this in their price quote and take care of booking on their own, but some bands will have you set up lodging. If that’s the case, make sure to find out exactly how many beds and the type of accommodations that are okay with them (sometimes a B&B or vacation rental is cheaper and suits a band just fine.) This is a good conversation to have up front!

Timing

Check the timeframes up front as well. Bands usually play a certain amount of sets that last a certain period of time. Consider how long you’ll need them playing at the reception and discuss this timeline with them. It’s also a good idea to confirm that they’ll have some music playing in between their sets and that there is a plan for music before and after their allotted time so there isn’t dead air. If they don’t offer music for the down time, make sure you have a plan in place yourself. You don’t want guests hanging out in silence!

Rentals

Be sure to consider if you need any additional rentals for the band. Will they need a stage? What equipment do they bring and what will you need to supply? Is there a power supply at the venue? Ask them about these details and share with your rental company (there’s a good chance they’ve dealt with live bands before and have insight too!)

Lastly, if you’re having a live band at your wedding… get ready for a great time! There’s nothing like live music at your celebration to really create a next-level mood and make sure everyone is enjoying the evening.

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