’10 Top Tips for Booking a Wedding and Party Band’ is written by Em Peasgood, a professional bandleader and musician with 12 years of experience in the business. She is also one in only a small handful of female bandleaders in the UK. Em has band-led all genre band Abnormally Funky for 7 years and performed at 1000′s of venues, weddings, parties and corporate events.

To expand each tip, please click on the more information text at the bottom of each tip.

1. Shop Around

• Decide what kind of band would best suit your event
• Prepare questions to ask bands in advance, this will help narrow down your search
• Start with google search and band booking agencies
• Most bands will have a website with demos, set list and references
• You can email or phone and band to discuss your requirements
• Ensure your bandleader is a good communicator
• Start your search earlier rather than later

2. Booking Through An Agency or Direct?

• Agencies provide security and safeguard you against mishaps
• Agencies also add from 15% – 50% commission onto your quote
• If you find a good bandleader, booking direct should not be a problem

3. What Kind Of Band Will Suit Your Event?

• Always prioritise bands that have played at weddings and parties before. A pub band might be cheaper, but may not understand your requirements
• Choose a band with a varied set list to suit all your guests

4. Are The Band Suitable For Your Venue?

• Venues often have specific requirements.
• Does your band have current PAT Test Certificate (Electrical Safety)?
• Does your band have current Public Liability Insurance?
• Are your band familiar with Sound Limiters?
• Is the performance space big enough for the band?

5. Professional or Part-Time Musicians?

• Always check a bands credentials and experience
• Don’t be tempted by cheaper quotes from part time or amateur bands
• Professionalism doesn’t come cheap

6. Should You See The Band Live Before Booking?

• Wedding and Party bands only perform at private events
• It is not always possible to see a band live, despite various recommendations in wedding magazines and online
• Ask your band if they have a live DVD . You can view ours here.
• Read your bands references. Some bands will be able to provide you with contact details for previous clients and venues

7. References

• Always read your bands references and check they are up to date
• If you have any concerns, ask your bandleader for the contact details of previous clients

8. Getting Quotes

• Band quotes vary greatly dependent on whether your band are professional or amateur, event date, location and playing times
• Try to plan a rough time sheet for when you would like your band to play from and to so your band provide you with an accurate quote
• Ask the band what is included in your quote and if VAT is to be added
• If you have a strict budget, you can ask for a discount but bear in mind a good band will always receive a full paid booking elsewhere

9. The Three C’s: Confirming, Contracts and Communication

• A professional band will always confirm your booking with a deposit and contract
• Ensure your bandleader is a good communicator and keeps in touch with you
• Be wary of a band that don’t offer a contract, ask for money to be paid into personal accounts or request cash payment on the night

10. Do Your Band Have Requirements?

• Bands often require soft drinks and a meal
• Confirm any band requirements with your bandleader before signing a contract

Written by Abnormally Funky and Em Peasgood 2011

It is common for a band to have various requirements and I’m not referring to ‘puppies to play with backstage’ or any such silly request.

Here is a guide to our basic band requirements:

• Soft drinks to be provided at no cost throughout the event
• A meal: some bands travel for hours to perform at a gig, with the average working day of 7 – 11 hours. My band are always happy with something warm and simple to eat.
• Somewhere suitable to get changed – we are aware that this isn’t always possible.
• Adequate time to set up. We personally, require 45 minutes.

Written by Abnormally Funky and Em Peasgood, 2011

A professional band will always draw up a contract once you decide to confirm your booking. This provides a safeguard for you should the band cancel, and a safeguard for the band should you cancel.

As a guide, this is how I confirm a booking with a new client:

• My client receives our questionnaire which asks for contact details, rough timings and other information
• Once the questionnaire is returned to me, I invoice the client for a 20% deposit and draw up a contract listing the agreed playing times, band arrival time, set up time etc..
• Monthly telephone or email contact leading up the event is maintained and 1 month beforehand we discuss final song choices and any requests
• Two weeks before the event, the balance is paid into our business account

Make sure your bandleader is a good communicator, replies promptly to telephone calls and emails and keeps in touch with you leading up to your event.

Be wary of a band that don’t offer a contract, ask for money to be paid into a personal account, or request cash payment on the night.

Written by Abnormally Funky and Em Peasgood, 2011

Wedding bands vary greatly in cost and this depends on whether your band are professional or amateur, the date of your event, the amount of playing time you would like and where your event is located.

To avoid extra costs, try to draw up a rough idea of the time you would like the band to play from and to so they can provide you with an accurate quote.

As a guide, most bands perform for 2 hours either in 2 x 1 hour sets, or 3 x 40 minute sets. Some are able to offer ipod music through the sound system during the break, before the band perform and even after the performance has finished, at no extra cost.

When you ask a band for their price, ask them if this is their complete quote. Check whether they charge VAT and ask them what is included in their fee. A lot of bands offers extras free of charge and you want to make sure you are getting the best value for money.

As a guide, Abnormally Funky quotes include the following:

• 2 hours of live music
• Music 1 hour before the band perform (assuming the band have set up at this point), in-between sets and for 1 hour after our performance
• The use of microphones for speeches
• A special request, even it it is not on our set list
• Our fees are always fully inclusive of travel and any accommodation required
• We do not charge VAT

If you have a budget, it is worth asking your bandleader if they can offer a discount. However, do bear in mind that a good band will always receive a fully paid booking elsewhere.

Written by Abnormally Funky and Em Peasgood, 2011

It is very important that your band can provide you with a list of up to date references from previous clients. Some bands will even be able to offer contact details so you can talk to a previous client on the telephone.

A good bandleader will want you to feel confident that their band references are genuine. Good references ease your mind and take the pressure of trying to see a band live.

Written by Abnormally Funky and Em Peasgood, 2011

Clients often ask if they can see Abnormally Funky perform live. This is a very conflicting topic as many magazines and online publications say live viewing is compulsory before booking a band. For a bandleader live viewing is difficult.

The reason why? We only perform at private weddings, parties and events. We don’t rehearse regularly as we have been performing together for 7 years, read music and simply don’t need a weekly rehearsal.

Some bands hold quarterly showcases for clients to attend but this can be expensive for a band.

If your band have great credentials and experience but you are still wary of booking them, my advise is to ask them for contact details of previous clients. As a bandleader, I am happy to do this and have plenty of willing clients who happy to say lovely things about us.

Additionally, some bands have a live video of themselves in performance. You can view ours here.

Written by Abnormally Funky and Em Peasgood, 2011

I write this tip as many of my clients have been let down by amateur and part-time bands. Some part-time musicians are highly trained and have a professional attitude towards bookings, and some aren’t. There are many bands who perform as a hobby and have day jobs; performing once a month for pocket money. These bands simply cannot be as good as a full time professional band as they do not dedicate all their time to music and performing. They may also be cheaper, but you get what you pay for.

A professional band will understand the importance of your event, arrive on time, perform great material to a high standard and present themselves well.

I have been contacted on several occasions by upset clients whose band have either not shown up on their wedding day, or cancelled a week beforehand because of day-job commitments.

Always check a bands credentials and experience before booking.

Written by Abnormally Funky and Em Peasgood, 2011

Venues often have requirements for the performance of live music. Some require the band to have Public Liability Insurance, a PAT Test (Electrical Safety) and even Risk Assessment Statements. Make sure your band have these in place and are able to discuss these requirements with your venue.

Venues are increasingly installing sound limiters to protect the hearing of staff and keep local residents happy. Sound limiters cut off music if it is too loud so it is is important that your band are familiar with limiters and are able to adjust to their restrictions.

You may also have a limited performance space, so ask your band how much space they require.

Written by Abnormally Funky and Em Peasgood, 2011

Not all bands are suitable for performing at weddings and parties. For example, a pub band have a different audience rapport and often specialise in performing one genre, with less emphasis on dress code and playing times. A wedding and party band will understand that strict timing and good presentation are essential to the smooth running of your event.

It is important that you choose a band that have a set list to please your entire audience. The typical wedding and party audience ranges from aged 5 – 80 so look for a band that covers a wide range of material including 60′s – 00′s, disco, rock, pop and soul music.

Written by Abnormally Funky and Em Peasgood, 2011