New York Wedding Bands Guide, New York Wedding Guide Advice from OurWeddingDay.com

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New York Wedding Bands Guide

Booking Live Music for Your Big Apple Reception

New York City has so many songs associated with it, you could have a wedding of just Big Apple tunes and dance till dawn. Luckily, your live wedding band search should be a little less complicated. Finding the right music for your big day is a matter of knowing what to look for, so read on for tips so nice we almost wrote them twice.

Your New York wedding band search should begin about 8 months’ prior to your wedding, and after you’ve picked the site. Great bands are booked early on, so don’t wait until the last minute. When searching, ask friends and relatives, check out clubs, and talk to other vendors. The price of wedding bands varies tremendously, depending on where in New York you are, the type of band, and the logistics of your wedding. Expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000. Always get references, and contact the Better Business Bureau for complaints.

When interviewing New York wedding bands, ask for a sample DVD or CD, and be sure to catch a live performance (but never crash someone else’s wedding). Talk to the band leader about hosting duties, as they work like D.J.’s; introducing dances, cake-cutting, etc. A great band can “work” the crowd with the right music, but you still need to go over favorite songs and those tunes you don’t want played. Make sure the band has a list of all wedding sections. If you’ve hired a New York D.J. as well, the two need to coordinate their performance schedules.

When you’re ready to get serious about music, visit the OurWeddingDay.com New York Metro Local Vendor Section for a great list of top-rated wedding bands in the New York area.

If the band you hire knows your site, they will already have an idea about where equipment can be set up, where the dance floor is, and any electrical challenges that might occur—some groups will charge you a fee if they have to bring in additional equipment. If the band you hire doesn’t know the site, take them on a guided tour to avoid last-minute surprises and unnecessary costs.

Wedding bands usually have a day rate, as well as overtime fees. If you are also hiring a D.J., find out if the band can work a fewer number of hours. The band generally takes two breaks, and they should be served a meal. Live wedding bands are generally tipped 20%, provided the service is exceptional. The contract should cover all fees, names of band members, and names of substitute players, should there be a last-minute emergency.

-David Toussaint