How To Decide On What You Want
1. Determine the budget for entertainment.
Have a budget in mind of what you can spend on your entertainment. A general rule of thumb for a live band is approximately 20% of the amount you will spend on your reception, excluding the costs for flowers, photography, invitations and transportation. For example, if you are spending $50,000 on your reception hall, plan for about $10,000 on entertainment. A less expensive alternative is to hire a DJ for your reception, typically ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 for a basic DJ or DJ/MC package.
2. Decide on the type of entertainment:
With a band you will get live interaction and real entertainment that will lift the mood of the entire party. A band with a versatile musical repertoire could be the right solution if you budget allows it. A DJ won’t be as expensive as a band and will be able to incorporate more contemporary music.
3. Settle on some styles of music you would like to hear.
A bride and groom should discuss musical styles ahead of time that will please the entire crowd. This step is an important as you are uniquely capable of determining what your friends and family will enjoy dancing to. Without creating specific play lists, you will want to discuss these styles with your band or DJ to make sure that they are available.
4. Personalize your music choices.
You should also think about ways to put your fingerprint on your wedding. Think outside the box for ways you can interject little pieces of your relationship and personality in your musical selection. For instance, at a wedding where the groom was a pilot the song "Come Fly with me" was played for the cake cutting. Or when introducing a couple into the reception, the band played “Jessica” by the Allman Brothers since the bride was named Jessica. These thoughtful musical choices will make your wedding unforgettable.
How To Determine Who You Want.
5. Look for a connection.
When interviewing entertainment companies consider how well this person understands you, and make sure you feel comfortable that they will be able to deliver and make your dreams come true. At the slightest sense of discomfort, or if you don’t feel a strong connection, keep looking. Make sure you feel a bond as this is one of the most important days of your life and you should not be second guessing your choice.
6. Ask for credentials.
Search for a company that has a track record. You want someone who is experienced and has delivered great entertainment. A great place to start your search is with your wedding venue. They will be able to give you names of companies they like and with whom they work well. Friends and families can be a great resource as well if they’ve attended other weddings with great entertainers. Once again, experience and ability to meet your wants and needs are very important.
7. Choose professional entertainers.
When researching companies, judge them on professionalism in their presentation, their promotional material, and, of course, the caliber of their music and presentation. For peace of mind, it is important that you select professional entertainers whom you can trust. Amateur entertainers will lack experience and will often be unable to deliver on all your requests.
Finally, have fun and enjoy the whole process of planning your wedding and selecting the right entertainer with these seven tips. Keep in mind that the right entertainment will create great memories for you and your guests.
