For Those Ready to Rock

Everything you need to know to book the perfect band

By Anna Sachse
CTW Features

From advice about how to go about finding a wedding band, to what you should have in your contract, here’s how to ensure you’ll only hear beautiful music all night long.

The Options

Because wedding guests tend to include a wide range of ages, many couples opt for a “variety band” that can play a little bit of everything, from Sinatra to Santana to Lady Gaga. “Variety bands work both for the older folks who usually dance and leave early, and for the 20-somethings who have to spend most of the night by the bar until they get drunk enough to dance later in the night,” says says Adam Blue, owner of the Kansas City-based booking agency Adam Blue Productions.

But don’t be afraid to think outside the traditional wedding band box. If you have particular musical tastes or your wedding has a theme, unique/specialized bands can lend instant personality to the event. Hot club swing, Depression-era dirty blues and classical-meets-classic-rock are just a few examples of the unconventional offerings at The House of Cards Music, a Portland, Ore. booking agency. “It’s all about stirring up the energy of the party, and there are a million ways to do just that,” says Jen Bernard, a House of Cards music booking consultant.

The Search

City-specific bridal magazines usually list wedding-friendly bands, or you can peruse booking agency lists. But Bernard also suggests asking around within the music community. “Musicians are the ones who are most intimately connected with the local music scene, so you’ll have far better luck finding exactly what you want through word of mouth.”

Once a band has caught your ear, see if you can attend a live show and then go home and email them or their booking agency if you’re interested, suggests Blue. But if a show doesn’t fit into your hectic schedule or you’re booking a band from out of town, video is the next best thing.

The $$$

Cost can vary dramatically based on the city you’re in, whether there’s travel involved, duration of booking, popularity of the band and the number of musicians, says Bernard, as well as the time of year – off-season months could get you a discount of 10-percent or more. But, in general, wedding bands go for around $10,000-$15,000 in major cities like New York and Los Angeles; $5,000-$7,500 in medium-sized cities; and as cheap as $1,200 in small towns, Blue says. Tipping is not expected for the most part but is certainly appreciated, he adds. Figure on tipping around $50 per band member.

The Contract

Make sure all the logistical info is correct, such as location, time frame, price, etc., says Bernard. Note if there are clauses that necessitate meals for the musicians or, for outdoor soirees, protection from direct sun or rain. Then, read the contract terms carefully to determine what happens in case of cancellation or damages. “It’s rare,” says Bernard, “but sometimes events go south, and both the client and the band need the contract to fairly outline each signor’s liability.”

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