You’ve chosen the colour palette, selected the menu, and even said yes to the dress. But what about the soundtrack to your night? Don’t settle for silence!
Browsing wedding bands is an exciting step for any couple. From jazz bands to a cappella groups, thousands of talented UK-based musicians are ready to complete your special day.
However, sometimes couples put off this wedding planning step, causing a last-minute rush. Don’t be fooled by the many myths about hiring wedding bands. Ensuring your wedding and reception have high-quality music is much easier than you expect.
In this blog, we’re busting the top misconceptions about hiring wedding bands. No more false rumours! It’s time to set the record straight once and for all. Scroll down to learn the truth ASAP.
Top 7 Myths About Hiring Wedding Bands
Putting off your wedding planning? We’re bringing your confidence back. Here’s the truth about hiring wedding bands for your ceremony and reception.
1. Wedding Bands Only Play Certain Genres
We don’t know who started this rumour, but we’d like to speak with them!
While many weddings have similar music styles, wedding musicians aren’t limited to one style alone. In fact, you can hire wedding bands across all genres.
Whether you want festival bands, rock bands, harpists, or even bagpipers, there’s a match for all tastes. Today, there are over 300 music genres worldwide, and you can have any at your wedding.
Remember, the perfect band won’t appear out of thin air. You’ll have to do some research to find niche genres. But that’s all part of the fun!
2. You Can’t Choose Your Own Songs
Imagine a wedding where the band didn’t make the day memorable for the newlyweds. They’d never get hired again!
Wedding bands are on hand to provide excellent tunes and unforgettable performances, and playing your requests is absolutely part of the package.
Of course, musicians aren’t mind readers. You’ll work with them beforehand to outline any specific requests (and don’t play songs), allowing them to perfect your favourite songs for the big day.
After all, why shouldn’t you dance to your Spotify top song of the year in your wedding dress?
3. Wedding Bands Are Expensive
We can understand how this misconception started. Wedding planning isn’t the most affordable activity. But don’t assume that live music is the most costly expense of the day! Wedding bands are often much cheaper than you expect.
The average price of a UK wedding in 2022 was £19,184. Whereas the average fee to hire a wedding band sits around £850. Only a fraction of the entire cost!
Once you’ve hired a band, you’ve secured music and entertainment for the evening, creating a unique atmosphere for your guests. Compared to the other wedding costs, a wedding band gives you a lot of value for your money. Nice!
4. Arranging Wedding Bands Is Too Much Hassle
If you’ve never arranged live music or an event before, arranging show-stopping wedding music might send a shiver down your spine.
Luckily, in modern times you don’t need to rifle through a phone book or hope you bump into the perfect wedding band by chance. You can simply go online, enter your requirements, and get matched with wedding bands that meet your needs.
Encore provides an online selection of over 51,000 vetted 5-star musicians in all genres, saving you time and money. Plus, we offer booking protection and quotes from our performers are all-inclusive. All you need to do is browse and book.
Yup, wedding planning is a whole lot easier with the internet!
5. Wedding Bands Are Too Loud
Ever been to an event where you can’t hear yourself think because the band is just too loud?
This rare faux pas only happens when the band lacks a sound technician or technical knowledge. AKA, they’re probably not professional performers.
When you hire an experienced band, you can relax knowing they have the skills to keep the sound at the right level throughout the night. To avoid this deafening problem, ask your band whether they work with a sound technician in your initial consultation.
6. Live Wedding Music is “Cheesy”
When you think of wedding bands, “cheesy” might be the first word that comes to mind. But lay this judgement aside — today’s live music artists do much more than imitating The Proclaimers.
And before you say “DJs are less cheesy,” remember how many weddings you’ve attended where the DJ plays the Macarena and the Cha Cha Slide all evening.
Modern bands are more individualistic than the wedding singers of yore. With party bands and folk bands, you can deviate from the outdated stereotype. If you really want to avoid “cheesy” tunes, talk with your performers beforehand and give them a do-not-playlist.
7. Bands Take Too Many Breaks
Worried that your wedding band will rock up, play a quick set, and then spend the whole night taking a break? You’re not alone. This is one of the top worries we see about wedding bands.
Bands will indeed need to take breaks. But there are multiple ways to manage the music to ensure your guests are bopping while the musicians catch their breath.
Firstly, you can create a personalised playlist to fill the gaps between performances. This way, you’re in control of the music, and your wedding isn’t at the mercy of a random compilation CD.
Alternatively, you can ask your band to stagger their breaks. This means there’s live music all evening, as the band doesn’t break simultaneously. Remember that this might not be possible, and if it is, there could be an extra fee.
Why are wedding bands so popular?
Live wedding bands are a popular choice for wedding receptions for several reasons:
1. Create a Vibrant and Energetic Atmosphere: Live bands bring a unique energy and excitement to a wedding reception that can’t be replicated by recorded music. The interplay between the musicians, their passion for the music, and their ability to respond to the crowd’s energy create an atmosphere that is both exhilarating and captivating.
2. Personalised Musical Experience: Live bands can tailor their setlist to the specific tastes and preferences of the couple and their guests. They can incorporate special requests, learn songs that hold personal meaning to the couple, and even create original compositions for the occasion. This personalized touch adds a special element to the wedding celebration.
3. Interactive and Engaging Performance: Live bands engage the audience in a way that DJs cannot. They can interact with the crowd, encourage dancing, and even take requests on the spot. This interactive element keeps the guests engaged and entertained throughout the reception.
4. Versatility and Flexibility: Live bands can seamlessly transition between different genres and styles of music, ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy. They can keep the dance floor packed with upbeat tunes and create a romantic ambience for slower moments.
5. Lasting Memories: Live music creates a lasting impression on the guests and the couple themselves. The sound of the band, the energy of the crowd, and the special moments shared on the dance floor become part of the indelible memories of the wedding day.
Encore’s recommendations
1. The Alleycatz
The Alleycatz are one of the UK’s most sought-after wedding bands. They’re an energetic 5-12 piece pop/Motown & funk band that has performed over 500 gigs and can play everything from Beyonce to Stevie Wonder.
2. Stallions & The Bear
Originally from Palermo Sicily, The Stallions & The Bear are one of the UK’s most popular wedding and event bands, with an unrivalled stage presence and bright, dynamic performances that you will never forget.
3. The Weekend Grooves
A 4+ piece wedding band ready to fill the dance floor with music ranging from the 1950s to current hits. They’ve performed at events hosted by business titans like Warner Brothers and Rolls Royce, as well as at famous locations including The Natural History Museum and The Shard.
4. Velvet Diamond
Velvet Diamond is made up of a group of the industry’s most talented, experienced, and professional session musicians. Najwa Ezzaher, recognised and admired for her performances on The Voice France, leads the band with amazing female vocals. Najwa sings from the heart and aims to touch people’s spirits with each song she performs.
Velvet Diamond are masters of their trade and highly flexible, playing incredible renditions of the best pop, funk, soul, disco, rock, jazz, gospel, swing, lounge, and Motown tunes from the 1950s to the current top 40.
5. Madame Riviera
With a DJ and live band, the dance floor will be hopping as immaculate musicians amaze the crowd with their performances; it will be a celebration you won’t forget! Madame Riviera is a group of youthful but seasoned female artists. Their new repertoire of modern and old school party standards will please all of your guests while keeping the party going.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let the myths about hiring wedding bands disrupt your big day. These misconceptions simply aren’t true and cloud the endless benefits of live music at a wedding.
From creating an electric atmosphere to providing personalised performances, wedding bands add to events in a way that a CD can’t. Plus, online band bookings make wedding planning easier than ever before. Less time chasing musicians, more time practising your steps!
Take the fuss out of hiring wedding bands. Work with Encore Musicians to find your ideal performers with a smooth and flexible hiring process. With over 30,000 happy customers and a 5-star Trustpilot review, we’re ready for anything.