When planning a wedding, you probably want to avoid crunching numbers as much as possible just so you could get the dream wedding you’ve always wanted. Sadly, these things can be pricey, and unless you’re loaded with millions to blow, budgeting is inevitable. Especially when choosing your wedding entertainment.
Music is a necessary factor for an unforgettable wedding day and can definitely pump up the energy during the reception. Unfortunately, good quality wedding bands tend to be expensive, and what you don’t want is to risk settling for a lower-budget band without much experience in playing at weddings.
Fear not, though, as there are definitely some ways to save money when it comes to booking a wedding band for your nuptials.
Ask about full-day or DJ packages.
Your prospective wedding band might offer full-day packages at a cheaper rate than what would cost you if you opted to hire 2 or 3 different musicians for various parts of your wedding day. Or if you’re planning on getting a DJ to play during the later part of your reception, you can also check to see if there are DJ packages that come with hiring wedding bands. You’ll be able to save more by hiring just one set of musicians than hiring several, as the costs for travel, equipment set up, and meals can definitely add up.
Hire a competent wedding band with fewer members.
Another way to save money on your wedding is to hire a band with fewer members. Think of it this way: the smaller the band, the fewer people you’ll need to pay and provide a meal and transportation for (which could be included in their package price, if they offer any). You can ask your prospective wedding band if the option to just hire, say, 5 instead of 9 members is possible, although this would also depend on the instrument set-up you’ve envisioned in your mind. Another option would just be to hire a musical duo or soloist.
Reduce the band’s waiting time.
Most bands charge a waiting time fee per hour if they arrive early to set up, so it’s best to check with the venue beforehand for options. Your wedding venue might have a separate entryway to the stage area that can allow the band to set up discreetly even when your guests have started arriving at the reception hall. This would mean that the band wouldn’t necessarily have to arrive way early, and you can save on the waiting time fee, too.
Get a local wedding band.
Local wedding bands wouldn’t have to travel far, which means there are fewer expenses incurred for transportation and logistics, and lesser time needed for the trip to the wedding venue. This can have a positive effect on the price you’ll be quoted from the wedding band you plan to hire. Depending on which part of the UK you plan to have your wedding ceremony, there are plenty of local band options. In Scotland, for instance, the number of local wedding bands Glasgow has is plenty, and with various styles of sound for every music taste, too.
At the end of the day, you’ll want a wedding band that is not only good value for your budget but loves what they do and has a clear understanding of just what makes a wedding party fun. Wedding bands can cost you more than simply playing a wedding playlist from your iPod, but the memories associated with the live music that these musicians offer can last a lifetime.
