Choosing a Chicago Band or Orchestra for
your Wedding
Choosing the right wedding music can arguably make all the
difference in the tone and mood of your wedding reception. From
soft piano music during the dinner service, to rockin' live
music for the after-dinner dance party, choosing the right band
or orchestra for your wedding reception needn't be a daunting
task. The key is finding a band or orchestra that is experienced
performing at wedding receptions, is diverse enough to accommodate
a wide range of musical selections, is willing to work with
you in music selection, and fits your wedding budget.
It takes more than just a great band or orchestra to pull off
a successful wedding. Not only will your wedding band or orchestra
provide the live music entertainment you seek, but they will
often times act as emcee in introducing the wedding party and
turning your guests attention toward particular highlights of
the evening, such as the newly married couple's first dance,
father/daughter dance, bouquet and garter tosses, and more.
A good band or orchestra will be able to alternate between the
more traditional wedding dances, such as waltzes and polkas,
and more contemporary dance numbers, thus entertaining all
of your wedding guests, both young and old. And a good wedding
band or orchestra will be able to read the crowd, alternating
between slower, more romantic songs and more lively dance selections
that get the crowd on their feet.
Because your wedding music is so important, great care and
consideration should be placed in choosing the right band or
orchestra. When contacting various bands and orchestras, you
should have several goals in mind. You want to know something
about the band, the individual players, their history, level
of experience preforming at weddings, the general style of music
they play, how they dress, and of course, the logistics... rates,
packages, options, availability, etc.... You'll also want to
know how they will react if one or more members of their group
become unavailable at the last minute, if they are willing to
act as emcee at your reception or if you'll need to hire a separate
emcee, and if they offer an overtime option, in case your party
is still rockin' and you're just not ready to call it quits
yet.
One of the most important factors in choosing a wedding band
or orchestra is their sound. Never, ever, hire a wedding band
or orchestra without first hearing them live. Any reputable
band or orchestra will be happy to invite you to a performance,
be it another couple's wedding reception (with their blessing
of course) dance party, or other live performance. Chances are
you've already been to a wedding reception with a great band
or orchestra and may already have one in mind; however, like
anything else, the members of a band or orchestra can change
and with changes in players, come changes in sound. Don't let
the memory of a great wedding reception and a great band or
orchestra performance from two years ago replace a live audition
today.
After you've interviewed several and feel you've found the perfect wedding band or orchestra for your wedding reception, you'll need to iron out the details. Make sure you get a contract that specifies the name of the band (you wouldn't want a last minute replacement without your concent), the date, time(s), and location(s) at which they are to perform, the specific tasks they will undertake (emcee, cocktail music, dinner music, etc...), the number of band members that will be performing, the specific hours (including break times) during which they will perform, all costs including travel and overtime rates, payment terms, and refund and/or cancellation terms. A sign contract will protect both you and the band or orchestra if plans change at the last minute.
