Tips when booking a wedding or corporate band
June 21, 2018
Ticking off lists! Everyone loves to do it so let us help you with music on your big day. Nothing beats a check list to tick off as you go and help you stay on top of things. We have compiled a few notes when it comes to booking in music for your big day so get those pens ready.
There are plenty of things to take into consideration when you a booking in live wedding entertainment for your big day. It can be overwhelming and there are a lot of stigmas when it comes to weddings bands and musicians. We are here to break them and deliver nothing but professional party times!
Take a look at our check list to get started now.
BE CLEAR WITH VENUE AND ENSURE THE VENUE IS CLEAR WITH YOU.
Some venues don’t allow specific line ups (Brass or live drums) so make sure you are clear on the restrictions and book from there. Some venues also have a preferred suppliers list so that’s always handy to check out.
Also, does the band need to sign any forms with terms and conditions? Are all leads required to be tagged and tested? Does the band have to plug into an in-house system?
WHAT SPACE ARE YOU WORKING WITH?
Check out the designated area for the band and book accordingly. Don’t go booking a 7 piece band when you only have a tiny corner in the room to work with. If you’re working with a small space we would recommend going with one of our Acoustic /DJ packages.
LOAD IN LOGISTICS
Make sure you are clear on any load in logistics that the band and any vendor for this matter need to be aware of. Is the stage located in an area where they have to lug gear up stairs etc? Also, be clear on any road and travel logistics. Are there any unsealed roads that certain cars may not be able to handle?
WILL THE BAND BE PROVIDING PA?
Always good to double check this. Lark Music always provide their own quality sound equipment for what they need to get the party happening. We do not supply any sound equipment for other contracted performers or celebrants.
If anything additional is to be hired by the band due to odd requests there will be additional costs.
WILL THE BAND BE PROVIDING LIGHTS?
Some line ups will have small lights to give the band some atmosphere but there won’t be anything massive enough to light up a stadium. Always an idea to double check this with your band to ensure everyone is clear… and clearly lit up!
IS THE TIME QUOTED ENOUGH FOR YOUR NEEDS?
Lark starts with a 5 hour reception package, ex; 5:30pm till 10:30pm. If you need anything longer there will be an additional cost.
Please take into consideration that the band needs to fit in with the restrictions of the venue too. If the venue needs live music cut off at 10pm and you have the room till Midnight, please organise a music option for the additional 2 hours. The band is not required to sit there and play a list of tunes through their system. It might be best to see if you can organise to hook into the venue’s in house system.
ARE ANY OF THE ARTISTS PERFORMING OUTSIDE AT ANY POINT?
- Please ensure there is a power supply. If there isn’t a small, portable PA may have to be hired at an additional cost.
- Please ensure there is shade. This is for the health of the performers and also to protect their musical instruments and PA systems. The last thing you want is a keyboard and its player melting in the scorching Aussie Sun…
- Always have a clear rain option.
IS THERE SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TIME FOR THE BAND TO SET UP?
Please check with the venue to see when access is allowed and notify the musicians.
ARE ALL SPECIAL REQUESTS COVERED?
The most important ones being the following:
- Ceremony songs; Bridal Party Entrance, Bridal Procession, Signing of the register and then Ceremony walk-out.
- Reception song; Bridal Party Entrance, Bride and Groom Entrance, First Dance, Cake Cutting, Father / Daughter dance, Mother / Son Dance and Farewell song.
Also, it helps to send through a list of tunes that you love and hate. This helps the band formulate their sets to ensure you are happy and wake up with sore feet [Symbol]
THE IMPORTANCE OF A RUN SHEET
Please have this sent through as soon as possible so the band can roughly plan their night and breaks. We all know that weddings and functions never run on time, but an outline of the evening helps when it comes to planning dinner breaks and toilet breaks etc.
The band will have Ipod music playing during breaks if there aren’t any speeches going.
DOES THE BAND HAVE FOOD AND DRINK SUPPLIED?
Usually a simple meal and drinks rider is supplied to the musicians. If you aren’t supplying there for some reason please notify the booking agent.
DON’T RELY ON THE BAND FOR THE MC’s MICROPHONE .
Please let us know if you are needing an additional microphone set up for speeches and don’t assume that one of the singers will give theirs up for a period of time. This is mainly for hygiene reasons and logistical reasons. It’s always best to organise the MC’s microphone with the venue as they most of the time have one set up and ready to go or a lecturn microphone.
There may be an additional cost if another microphone is to be hired / supplied for the MC.
MOST OF ALL… HAVE FUN AND DON’T BE SCARED TO DANCE!