How to Find the Perfect Event Band for YOU!
Choosing a band for your wedding isn't just about the music – a great band brings the energy to your special day. The best wedding or events band will help keep your timeline on track, the vibe high, and ensure that you can enjoy every moment on the dance floor. It’s one of the most important choices you will make for your wedding day, every couple’s vision for their wedding is different. That’s why we’ve rounded up our best tips to help you through the process of choosing a wedding band that’s right for you.
Our band and management has been on both sides of the process for over a decade. So, we know what questions you need the answers to in order to find your wedding band match.
Hot Mess at MGM
1.What are other people saying?
Normally, we aren’t the kind of people to follow the crowd. But, when it comes to finding high-quality entertainment, you want to make sure that you AND your guests have a great experience!
Wedding band reviews can be found in a variety of places like:
The band’s website (check out testimonials!)
Google reviews
When you look at reviews don’t just check out the star rating. Make sure to dive deep and read about other couples' full experiences, sometimes they even share photos of their event. Reviews will help you gain insight and are a great jumping off point for your wedding band search.
2. Ask Your Friends About Wedding Bands They've Experienced
It’s likely that you and your friends have gone to a number of weddings throughout the years – some of which used a band. Let your friends be the eyes and ears for you by asking them if any specific bands have stood out to them when they were a wedding guest. What’s even better? Them recommending the band that they had! Either way, getting intel from people who have seen your prospective wedding band live can give you the inside scoop or help you find a band you may have never heard of!
3. Does the band have videos?
If so, you should check them out! Now, if a band doesn’t have videos, that’s okay. But, seeing clips of performances can help you understand their vibe and see if they are a good fit. You might be able to find videos on their website or social media. If you can’t find any, you can always reach out to the band and see if they can send you anything!
What should you look for in the videos?
How do they sound? (Obviously, this should be priority #1!)
How professional do they look?
How do they act on stage?
How do they interact with the crowd?
How do they interact with each other?
4. Do you want male or female vocals (or both)?
Depending on any special songs you have in mind, you need to think about whether you want male or female vocals (having multiple vocalists in the band can make harmonies much richer) – this can really impact your decision for choosing the best wedding band for you. This leads us into our next tip…
5. Does the band have a consistent line up?
Surprisingly, many bands have different musicians that fill their roster – a constant rotation of musicians. One of the things that truly makes a band excellent and not just okay is the chemistry of performing together on a regular basis. This means that you want to make sure you are getting the same musicians that are wowing you at the performances your friends are raving about and on social media. If your band is consistent, you can be sure that they practice their arrangements on a regular basis and have it down to science so there are no missing pieces on your wedding day and all the transitions are seamless.
6. Do you need an MC for your day?
A wedding band with a great MC can make all the difference in creating a smooth, fun experience. The MC is the one who sets the tone, keeps the timeline on track, engages with the guests and wedding party. The MC can announce important moments (like intro’s, first dance, toasts, etc), and even bring some humor to keep things lighthearted.
The best band MC’s really know how to strike that balance between playing awesome music and being the charismatic guide for the evening.
7. Can your wedding band do it all?
It’s all about finding that perfect balance. Great music is the backbone, but the vibe, energy, and interaction with your guests make the whole experience unforgettable. A wedding band that can read the room and tailor their performance to fit the flow of the day is worth its weight in gold.
Customization is key, too—whether it’s learning special songs, matching the aesthetic of the wedding, or adding personal touches that make the performance feel one-of-a-kind. And that timing? It's everything! You want the transitions between different parts of the day (from cocktail hour to dinner to dancing) to feel seamless.
8. How big is your venue?
Believe it or not, some venues aren’t the right size to contain some bands. As a 9-piece band in Boston, we’ve come across our fair share of small stages. There are even some places we can’t perform at altogether! Make sure before booking a band you check in with your venue about the size of the area the band will be performing in.
9. Are horns important to you?
A horn section can elevate the energy of a performance or event like nothing else. Whether it's just one player or more it will add a rich sound, horns have this amazing ability to transform the atmosphere.
10. Are you asking questions?
We just gave you a LOT of information. Whether you want to book Hot Mess or are reading this just to get clear on finding the perfect band for you, don't be afraid to ASK QUESTIONS. Your band is there to answer them, whatever they may be. Questions about venue size, sound ordinances, songs, and everything in between are fair game. So, ask away. The perfect event band will answer all of them and then some.
If you are curious about Hot Mess check out our videos or inquire today! We’d love to hear from you.
