There’s a ton to worry about when handling a wedding, including choosing the perfect wedding day entertainment. Once you’ve settled the infamous DJ vs. Band question, you might need help picking a Philadelphia wedding band.
We’ve got the right questions you need to ask whenever you pick out your wedding band!
Step 1: What Music Do You Like?
The best way to pick a wedding band, or any band for that matter, is about picking the type of music that you like. It’s the best way to narrow things down, because every single band has a theme around them. Some play late 60s music, some play country, some play hip-hop, and some play everything under the sun. If you only like music from the late 70s, then you are going to be looking for bands that only play that type of music.
Most of BVTLive!’s entertainment options can cater to whichever genres you love the most. Choose from our wide array of specialty acts and party bands, depending on your personal music tastes.
Even if you don’t pick a band that just plays your type of music, you probably want your wedding playlist to have some of your favorite songs. The bands at BTVLive are able to make sure that you have your favorite genre of music blasting out of the speakers.
Step 2: Do Your Guests Like the Same Music?
Of course, just because you and your bride might like the same music doesn’t mean that your guests will like the music as well. Even though it’s your special day, you still need to make sure that your guests are dancing to the music as well. While you can’t (and shouldn’t) ask every single guest their musical taste, you can make some inferences.
Look at the age range of the guests, the popular music of the times, and the music that will give the best themes for your wedding. If your guests like the same music that you do, it’s a happy coincidence! If not, then try to make a compromise between your musical tastes and the musical tastes of your guests.
You’ll find a band that will take on all of these requests and can create a custom playlist that work for everyone!
Step 3: What Type of Crowd Do You Have?
Do you have a crowd that wants to sit and keep things relaxed, or a crowd that loves to get on the dance floor and bust a few moves? Depending on the crowd, you can focus on music that will support that. For example, if you have a crowd that loves to dance, then you can have the band play more dance tunes and get everyone on the floor. If you have an older crowd or a crowd that likes to sit, then you can have ambient music from the band during the quiet moments.
You don’t want to have the wrong band and the wrong atmosphere. Having a high energy band can be great if you love to dance, but it’s awful if you have a more relaxed crowd. Make sure you have the right band and then also have the right audience for that band.
If you are unsure, then try to get a band that will play both types of songs and can react to the mood of the crowd as it comes up.
Step 4: What Is Your Budget?
Whenever you need a wedding band, you need to look at your budget. Typically, the bigger the band is and the more pieces they use, then the more they are going to cost. If you’ve got a 3-5 person band, then you are going to pay much less than hiring half an orchestra for your wedding band.
Most of the smaller bands are about four figures, while larger bands are about five and even six figures. Additionally, depending on where the venue is, where you are getting the band from, and when the wedding is. The price isn’t just what is labeled on the website, but also can be affected by other factors that you need to keep in mind.
You can also take a look at what the bands can do for free. Some bands will learn a few songs that aren’t in their repertoire for free, or might allow you to use the stage whenever you need to make an announcement. Some bands will even customize your playlist for you if you want certain songs to play at certain times.
Step 5: Think About the Venue
Finally, especially for bands in Philadelphia, you need to make sure your wedding is in the greater Philadelphia area. Even though our bands are willing to travel to the venue, that does add on to the cost. Additionally, you should talk to the band about the venue itself, or even show it to them in person. Will it be outside? Will they have access to a stage? How many plugs will they have access to? What are the acoustics like?
All of these questions will affect how the band prepares for the performance, so make sure to share as much about the venue as you can. It will make everyone’s life easier, and you don’t have to deal with a last minute crisis whenever it comes to the band playing. No one wants to have another problem happen five minutes before the wedding.
Conclusion
BVTLive! has a lot of different wedding bands that can hit any area, and they can work for every single budget. Then you can filter the bands based on the music that you like and the music that will work for your guests during the wedding. After that, you will find the right band that will work.
With a perfect wedding band, then you can focus on all the other little cogs that will work in the machine and get you the wedding you have always dreamed of!
Blog Contributed by: Nils Mossbald
Kurt Titchenell
Guided by his experience as the bandleader of Philadelphia’s top band, Jellyroll, and President of BVTLive!, Kurt Titchenell has kept dance floors packed and created unforgettable memories for thousands of events nationwide! Widely acclaimed as an entertainment expert, Kurt and BVTLive! have earned the most prestigious accolades in the industry. Most notably were two Jellyroll performances at The White House. Kurt's dedication to the success of every event is evident through his passion for creating the ultimate party experience. As President of BVTLive!, Kurt is committed to making your event a success.