Planning your wedding will likely mean booking wedding entertainment. Wedding planning is already stressful, but choosing the entertainment is the cherry on top of the freak-out pie! If you’ve never booked a band (or any type of live entertainment) before, here are a few things to keep in mind throughout the process.
1. You get what you pay for.
This is the lesson our parents have always tried to teach us. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But in the world of live entertainment, a lowball quote usually means a less than stellar performance. Your wedding day is one of the most exciting days of your life, so don’t skimp when it comes to booking the band! You don’t want to spend the whole night hating the music, worrying about who can emcee, or whether your first dance song will be everything you’ve been dreaming of. Remember, professional wedding entertainers are just that… professionals. So be sure to allocate a decent-sized portion of your budget to keep you and your guests dancing the night away with your amazing wedding band!
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2. Special requests are just fine.
Do you and your fiancee have a special song that brings back all the butterflies of your first date? Don’t be afraid to share! Let the wedding band or singer know what you’d like to hear. Most of them are more than happy to accommodate requests because they want your day to be special, too. Be sure to let them know as soon as possible though, especially if it’s not a well-known song. They’ll need time to learn it before the big day! If you don’t have a playlist in mind, most entertainers have a setlist that you can look at. After years of playing weddings, they’ve learned a thing or two about what gets the crowd excited. You may also want to consider how you want the band to dress. Suits and dresses? Or will jeans work? Just let them know…they’ve heard it all!
3. Communication is key.
Organizing and coordinating your wedding vendors is almost a full-time job. Think about how you feel when you don’t get an answer to one of your pressing questions. It goes both ways! Entertainers need important details like the venue address, sound equipment requirements, setup and breakdown times, and more. Don’t worry, they don’t expect you to know everything if this is your first time booking. Just be courteous and answer what you can in a timely manner so they can plan ahead, too.
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When booking wedding entertainment, there are some general questions that you’ll be asked. It may be helpful to have the answers ready ahead of time:
- What is the date?
- What is the venue name and address?
- Is the event indoor or outdoor?
- How many guests do you expect?
- What is the age range of the guests?
- Will the entertainment be for the ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception? Or all 3?
- What is the setup, start, and end time for the entertainment?
- What equipment will the entertainer need to provide? Some examples include Sound/PA system, lighting, microphones, backline (instruments), fog machine, or stage.
- Will you cover any additional expenses? These may include flights, ground transportation, hotel rooms, and meals and/or drinks.
4. Being a bridezilla never helps.
We know this is one of the most stressful times in a bride’s life! But we beg you, please keep your bridezilla under wraps. The way you treat the wedding entertainers is crucial to making sure your day goes smoothly. After all, they’re keeping your guests happy and adding a beautiful soundtrack to your big day! Try and plan ahead with any questions or concerns, and keep them in the loop if plans change. Your expectations should be high but not unrealistic. Make sure you do some research ahead of time to ensure you’re booking the perfect wedding entertainment for your event. How? Keep reading.
5. Watch, listen, learn.
When you’re thinking about booking wedding entertainment, it’s a huge must to learn all you can about them. The entertainers and event services on GigSalad will have videos, photos, audio clips, and reviews for you to browse through. Take the time to look through all of the above. Verified reviews are most important because you know they’ve actually been booked through the site, so the reviews are 100% genuine. There are thousands of wedding entertainers out there, but only one that is perfect for your wedding. If you set aside some time to thoroughly vet your options, you’ll have a much better event! And if by some minute chance that something does go wrong, GigSalad covers you with our Worry-Free Guarantee.
Keep your booking on GigSalad for a safe and secure experience.
Bonus Tip: It’s not about the cake, the band, or what your new mother-in-law thinks of the bridesmaid dresses. This day is about you and the one you love! So don’t worry too much, have fun, and focus on what really matters on your big day!
Booking wedding entertainment through GigSalad is the best decision you’ll make all year. Ready to search?
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.