A Wedding Band

[Corbusier]

In your successful wedding band,
1) what age groups are hiring you to play at their wedding?
2) what era(s) and genre(s) are the songs your band is playing?
3) how many people are in your band and what are their tasks?
4) do you have a sound guy?
5) what songs from your set list are essential for every almost every wedding reception?
6) I would like to put together a band for wedding receptions. However, if the set list must contain only/mostly current music I probably won’t pursue this. So my final question is
can a band that plays 60s, 70s, 80s, and some 90s rock/top 40 songs still get wedding gigs?

Please share any other info that I need to know to have a successful wedding band.

As always, fellow TBers, I sincerely thank you for your time and expertise.

 

[pepj]

Sure.
However, 5 years ago, my friends band travelled to get weddings at $3k a time but pre covid they were down to a handful by early May. They were used to having 30 plus by that date typically...and also the rates had dropped.

Now, you know they are struggling because they are on the local band circuit more and more just to kick over money for a fulltime musician band.

My guess is that this loss of a prime earner means they struggle to get near $30k per year and they'd need a stack of private lessons to make up the weekly earnings.

The band play Jive/Rockabilly/Barber shop.

Personally, I think any genre works if the couple like your band.
If you use agents, then you probably adhere to a slicker presentation.
Our remit was, same set, 2 hrs max, light and sound as required and 3 times the rate. We never haggled too far down though.

 

[Samatza]

As a rule we don't market ourselves for weddings, it's a long day and we fare much better with club work that is 3 hours and full production is provided.

I do however know several bands that do. Mostly the PA is hired and set up and tear down is by the hire company. This saves the band a tedious lug through loading docks/kitchen/narrow hallways and elevators that are typically used to move the refuse after the event so they are wet and don't smell too good.

Most people want some background music to start with and then dance music, sometimes there are special requests which you will have to learn if you don't know them already. Dance music from the 80s and 90s is popular, DJs in my parts typically play that kind of music and so do most bands.

If your band is a top 40/dance band then you can get a lot of work but be honest. If someone wants cocktail jazz and that's not your bag don't do it.

I hope this helps.

 

[JRA]

1) what age groups are hiring you to play at their wedding?
youngsters, through the middles ages, to oldsters.
2) what era(s) and genre(s) are the songs your band is playing?
all eras/genres: a taste of most popular music 'through the ages' so to speak.
3) how many people are in your band and what are their tasks?
9 members: keys, bass, guitar, drums + trumpet, sax, bone + male singer, female singer (and BGVs by 2-3 of the musicians).
4) do you have a sound guy?
yes, always. it's a 'production'.
5) what songs from your set list are essential for every almost every wedding reception?
a mix of popular hits from the big band era to modern pop, but: the bride and groom define "essential."
6) I would like to put together a band for wedding receptions. However, if the set list must contain only/mostly current music I probably won’t pursue this. So my final question is can a band that plays 60s, 70s, 80s, and some 90s rock/top 40 songs still get wedding gigs?
my opinion = yes! however, each wedding couple will have some requests. my band allows for 2-4 requests, usually played as the father/daughter dance, mother/son dance, bride/groom dance, etc.

if the wedding couple (or the bride and her mother!) like your stuff: you're in! but you will need to be flexible to get the best money unless you are a known quantity and you're being hired for exactly what you do, e.g., if michael jackson or tom petty was being hired for a wedding it's doubtful that anyone would expect polkas.

good luck with your wedding band!

 

[friskinator]

Lots of wedding band threads here. I’m not sure what to add that hasn’t already been discussed, but be prepared for a lot of work and a standard of professionalism that you may not be comfortable with. It’s definitely not just “show up and play.”

 

[Killing Floor]

Can only work if you keep the drummer away from the buffet.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Lots of wedding band threads here. I’m not sure what to add that hasn’t already been discussed, but be prepared for a lot of work and a standard of professionalism that you may not be comfortable with. It’s definitely not just “show up and play.”

The worst part is all the downtime between setup and actual downbeat. Understandably you are expected to be setup and ready before guests arrive to minimize the disruption. Then you get to wait for pre-dinner, dinner, post-dinner and all the other hub-bub.

I say that having only played about 5 or 6 weddings in my gig time. We only do it when asked by someone we know that knows our musical style, etc.

 

[ole Jason]

Not in a successful wedding band but I do a fair number of wedding gigs. I mainly do the dinner/rehearsal set and not the main "everyone get up and dance" set."

1) what age groups are hiring you to play at their wedding?
All
2) what era(s) and genre(s) are the songs your band is playing?
20's-70's jazz with a focus on Gypsy jazz and early swing
3) how many people are in your band and what are their tasks?
3-5 depending on budget
4) do you have a sound guy?
Not needed
5) what songs from your set list are essential for every almost every wedding reception?
Not really an issue for what I do
6) I would like to put together a band for wedding receptions. However, if the set list must contain only/mostly current music I probably won’t pursue this. So my final question is
can a band that plays 60s, 70s, 80s, and some 90s rock/top 40 songs still get wedding gigs?
I mainly play stuff from way before then

 

[Levent]

No matter what, band needs to keep It in their pants. Sh#t doesn't go down as funny as on romantic comedies.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Going to run sound for my first wedding band performance. It's going to be a long day, but at least I don't have to wear a suit. This is a friend of a band member, late forties - I think.

 

[neddyrow]

Our band played every weekend last summer from June into October. Busiest summer we had. The summer before was pretty busy as well. Most were private outdoor parties and some were weddings. I never caught COVID either. But we were pretty careful. One gig we played was called, "6 Feet Apart-y" - They had a six-foot long stick that people would hold on to each end to dance with.

We have tried to stay away from wedding gigs as @Samatza said - It's a long day - pretty much an all day commitment. But, when a friend wants you to play their wedding and is willing to pay your full wedding pay, you do it.

I think we only have one wedding gig booked for this summer (thankfully) and the rest are festival spots and other outdoor events.

So, to answer your question, you can definitely have a successful wedding band post COVID as we did well even during COVID times. I would just discuss with the wedding couple what songs and requests they have (especially if it's for their first dance). We try to do a few but as a mostly original band, they know what they are getting.

 

[BAG]

if michael jackson or tom petty was being hired for a wedding it's doubtful that anyone would expect polkas.

If either of then turned up to play a wedding I think most people would run away screaming in terror..... decomposition isn't very pretty.

 

[Chickenwheels]

I’ve been doing wedding/corporate gigs for nearly 30 years on and off, the last 10 solid in the same bands.
Client wise, there are different demographics that want different products. Understanding this is key. Usually a band will end up working one scene as most of your work will come from word of mouth or guests friends weddings you’ve done.
Production is important. A range of PA options to suit different venue sizes is ideal, don’t skimp on this. Also lighting is important. How you look is important for wow factor.
Dealing with the client is the hardest job. They’ll be stressed, ignorant and demanding. I don’t have to do this bit thankfully. It’s painful.
You’ll probably put in a solid 8 hours on site during the event. Lots of waiting around during formalities. Make it worth your while financially or you’ll want to kill yourself, especially after a few years of it.
Musically, be prepared to do literally anything. And have a band that’ll back you and work hard to get across material quickly. Weed out the lazy whiners or they’ll drag you all down.

 

[JRA]

If either of then turned up to play a wedding I think most people would run away screaming in terror..... decomposition isn't very pretty.

well, everyone i'd name to make the same point is dead --- --- so i just picked two!

 

[Chickenwheels]

I’ll add that I don’t think I’ve ever done a wedding with playing “Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston. No joke.

 

[Bob_Ross]

If someone wants cocktail jazz and that's not your bag don't do it.

+1
If someone wants [INSERT NAME OF ANY MUSICAL GENRE] and that's not your bag don't do it.
Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
Know when to say "no". You'll be doing yourself, your clients, and musicians all over the world a favor.



All of ^^^this has very little to do with this actual thread topic, but it is something I feel very strongly about!

 

[Wasnex]

Perhaps a different point of view.

Years ago I worked in what I call a corporate band. We performed in hotel ballrooms and event centers for big corporate gatherings and a fair amount of weddings and private parties. The group leader's family owned and entertainment agency that hired other bands as well. Also the group leaders father, held significant status/sway in the state and local music scene.

All of the musicians were hired on a gig to gig basis. So the only person who was a constant was the leader, who played keys, sang, and ran sound from the stage. For full band gigs, he always hired a second lead vocalist and filled out the rhythm section with bass, drums, and guitar. Sometimes he added a sax or other horns.

I was probably about his C call, as my military commitments meant I was not available for many gigs.

We played jazz for cocktails and dinner...mostly out of the Real Book. Some gigs were solely jazz trio. Some continued with two to three sets of dance/party music (almost entirely older hits from the 60s and 70s). We also played some traditional party favorites like the Chicken Dance, and few special requests.

Most of the songs had lead sheets and each musician had a book. Many of the songs were common head charts, so you used the book when you needed it, and played from memory when you did not. Occasionally the leader called a song that I did not know that was not in the book, and we faked it.

At the end of the gig, the band leader sat down and wrote out checks while the band packed up their personal gear.

The leader also hired an assistant to transport and help setup/tear down the PA. The PA was old, minimalist junk, but always got the job done...although sometimes he had to replace tweeters in some of the cabs between gigs.

Before I started playing with this group, I was paid for one rehearsal. My perception is this was actually a paid audition, to make sure I could do the job. I did not do any other rehearsals with this group for our normal jazz and crusty pop repertoire. However I did do a couple of rehearsals when the band was hired to play an arrangement of more classical music. For that part of the gig, I played bowed upright.

I think this sort of format will work currently and long as you have a decent Rolodex of qualified players you can call to assemble a band.

For the record, I strongly preferred this type of work to doing bar gigs.

 

[jerry]

Its also good to have have one member that is good at talking and smoozing with the mic.

 

[Dynomuttasaurus]

While I've never played a wedding, I manage the logistical/technical side of a big name property that hosted 50ish weddings per year pre-covid (numbers are quickly climbing back post-covid). Our two main wedding spaces are 5,600sqft and 8,400sqft - the average wedding will have 150 to 350 guests and a food/beverage budget of $20k to $50k.

1) what age groups are hiring you to play at their wedding?
Weddings with live bands typically have a bride/groom in the 25 to 75 age range. Really, it's more about personal choice than age. DJs are more common than bands.
2) what era(s) and genre(s) are the songs your band is playing?
80s/90s pop-dance still dominates. All eras and styles work if the music moves bodies. Younger couples will absolutely boogie to a classic groove.
3) how many people are in your band and what are their tasks?
Varies. Bigger bands tend to have a wider variety. Some are even able to stagger breaks for members so the entire band never stops. That's the best.
4) do you have a sound guy?
Always, always, always! If you don't have someone(s) running sound and lights, you are not ready for the wedding market.
5) what songs from your set list are essential for every almost every wedding reception?
Probably being flexible and making sure to incorporate the special dance music requested is the best way to be OVER with the people paying you.
6) I would like to put together a band for wedding receptions. However, if the set list must contain only/mostly current music I probably won’t pursue this. So my final question is can a band that plays 60s, 70s, 80s, and some 90s rock/top 40 songs still get wedding gigs?
Yes. But see above about timelines. You will set up in the early afternoon and not play until 8:00pm or later. You will have multiple meetings with the bride/groom/parents leading up tot the Big Day. You will be asked to act as emcee for the grand march, sound for speeches and toasts, etc. There are very good reasons bands jack their rates for weddings.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

If either of then turned up to play a wedding I think most people would run away screaming in terror..... decomposition isn't very pretty.

well, everyone i'd name to make the same point is dead --- --- so i just picked two!

Some like it back then.