What to Ask Your Wedding Band Before You Book

So you’re getting married in Sussex and you need a band. Where do you start? It’s easy to put it off while you sort the venue and the caterer and the million other jobs on your list!

If you’re just starting out, we’d suggest having a browse and comparing wedding bands on FixTheMusic to get a feel for what’s out there before you commit to anything.

Here are a few things to ask before you book.

How long do they actually play?

It varies more than you’d think. Some do two 60-minute sets, others three shorter ones spread across the evening. It affects the whole shape of your night, so ask up front and build it into your timeline. You don’t want to find out on the day that they finish at 9.30 when you’ve booked the venue until midnight.

Do they need feeding?

It sounds like a small thing, but a lot will ask for a hot meal during the break. They’ve been there since early afternoon setting up, and they’re on their feet performing all evening. Check with your caterer about a band meal, whether it’s included in your package or you need to budget for it separately. Some venues do a cheaper option for the musicians at a lower per-head cost, so ask about that too.

Will the same line-up turn up as in the videos?

Bands sometimes use stand-in musicians, so ask who’ll actually be playing on the night and what happens if someone’s ill. Most good ones have deps they can call on, but you want to know that the people you watched in the video are the people turning up on the day.

Do they have public liability insurance and PAT-tested equipment?

Many venues require both before they’ll let a band set up. It’s an easy one to forget when you’re thinking about setlists and first dances, but if the band hasn’t got it sorted, your venue could refuse to let them play. Most established acts will have both in place, but check early.

Take a bit of time with it and ask the right questions. All the best with the planning!