5 things to consider when booking a band for your special event

Got a special event coming up? Thinking about booking a live band?

Then this post is for you!

Whether you’re planning a wedding, birthday party, christening or other special event, if you’re on the hunt for a live band it can be hard to know where to start and how to know if you’re spending your money wisely.

Of course, you could go down the DIY route, creating a Spotify playlist with all your favourite tunes, but the chances are if you’re throwing a really special event then you’re looking for something more than that. So, what should you consider when booking a band for your party or wedding? This post will give you the low-down!

5 things to consider when booking a band for your special event

1. Think about budget

There’s a big difference between the cost of a one-man band and an orchestra made up of multiple members. Decide what you’re willing to allocate to music and try to stick to that budget. One way to consider whether a band is money well spent is how long they will be centre stage at your event for – for example, spending £1,200 on a band who will be entertaining your guests for four hours is good value compared to food which may cost you four times that and disappear within an hour.

2. Size matters

Especially when it comes to weddings. If you’re booking a band for a wedding, your venue is going to dictate the size of your wedding band so make sure you take a good look at where you could place a band and how easy it will be to sort out the logistics. This will be made far easier in a setting that’s regularly used for wedding receptions but a little more of a challenge in something like a marquee. Give yourself plenty of time to run through those logistics with your contact at the venue or with a friend or professional who can set you up in plenty of time so the day itself runs smoothly. The same goes for other types of events like birthdays and christenings.

3. Decide what type of band you’d like to hire

The very best way of making that decision is to short list some bands you like the sound of and go and see the act live in action. Maybe you’ll go for a duet who by sheer force of personality and exuberance get the crowd up and dancing. Maybe you’ll go for an Ed Sheeran look-a-like who goes down a storm, or perhaps a band that plays a certain style that appeals to you. Remember they also need to have the charisma to keep your guests interested between acts too.

4. Consider using an agency

If you’re not sure who to hire, then the best thing to do is to get in touch with an agency who can provide you with plenty of choice. They’ll be able to provide you with a show reel of the band you’re hoping to hire and might even let you take a look at them in action if they’re playing a gig near you. You may pay a little more for this kind of agency recommendation, but you’ll also have the security of knowing they are able to provide their own technical support.

5. Remember music is something everyone will take away from your special event

Along with the weather and the food, the music is something your guests will remember long after your party has finished. Which means it really is worth investing in a band which helps it go with a bang – especially as there’s not much we can do to control the weather!