Congratulations on your engagement! As you dive into the lovely whirlwind of wedding planning, one of the big decisions you'll make is selecting the entertainment for the day. After all, what's a celebration without music to set the mood and get everyone on their feet?
Before you hit the dance floor, let's talk about what you should consider when searching for the ideal wedding band or function band for your big day.
1. Define your musical style
Every couple has a unique vibe they want to create on their big day. Are you dreaming of a chilled and laid back atmosphere, or do you envision a lively party full of hits and high energy?
Take some time to define your musical preferences so you can find the right wedding band to match your tastes.
If you're after something very specific to suit the theme of your wedding, say a strictly 80's cover band or a particular tribute act, then there are plenty of acts out there that fit the bill.
However, in our experience (from our clients and other weddings we've attended personally!), it's usually best to have a band that can cover a wide range of genres. This helps to keep your dancefloor full all night and make sure there's something for everyone.
Full Frequency play a range of hits from across the decades and genres, so there will be something in our set for everyone! We'd also be happy to include particular songs or artists for you wherever possible.
2. Experience matters
When it comes to live entertainment, experience is key. It's always best to have a wedding band that knows how to read the crowd, adapt to the atmosphere, and keep the party going.
If you're looking for a band to play music at your drinks reception, or during your ceremony, it's important to make sure that they've had experience doing this in the past, so you won't have to worry about telling them where and when to play!
When you're searching for a wedding band to play at your evening reception, it's best to choose a band that have had a lot of experience with playing in that environment, as you can then be confident everything will run smoothly.
It's not simply about the playing, but also the setting up and liaising with your venue. A good wedding band will have a lot of experience in dealing with different venues and requirements, so you won't have to worry about them on the day. They'll take care of everything for you with minimal direction, leaving you and your guests to enjoy the evening!
Also (and most importantly!), having a band with the confidence and energy to put on a great show and engage your guests will make sure you all have a fantastic time!
We're all seasoned, professional musicians in Full Frequency. We've all spent the best part of 20 years playing at various different types of events across the UK, including weddings, corporate events, festivals and much more. We know how to deliver an exceptional performance and engage any crowd!
3. Check reviews and testimonials
Always check reviews from past clients before you book. As with anything these days - if you can't see any reviews, then that's a big red flag!
Obviously it's important to see 5-star reviews, but it's also important to make sure that you're seeing reviews from other wedding couples. Many bands have 5-star reviews, but if they're mainly playing at pubs and clubs they might not be suitable for your wedding day.
Check to see what the other couples are saying, as they were once in the same position as you! Sites such as Facebook and Last Minute Musicians are a great place to find genuine reviews from real clients.
We're rated 5-stars on Facebook, 5-stars on Encore and 10/10 on Last Minute Musicians. But don't just take our word for it - check out our reviews here!
4. Personalise where you can
Your wedding day is all about you, so your wedding band should be, too!
Much like the first point in this post, it's important to find a function band that will personalise their services to suit your tastes.
Will they take into account your music preferences? Will they play your first dance song? Do they charge extra for that?
Many bands out there have a static list of songs that they play night after night, regardless of whether you like them or not! If you can't stand 'Uptown Funk', or Oasis gives you the ick, then it's completely okay to ask your band to avoid playing them.
Similarly, if you absolutely love something on their setlist, let your band know! Good function bands will read the room on the night and adapt their setlist based on how your guests react, but they will also do their best to play anything you've requested.
We'll learn and play your first dance song as a live band free of charge, or play it through Spotify if you'd prefer. We also pride ourselves on never taking a 'one size fits all' approach. Don't like The Beatles? No problem! Got a thing for Queen? Awesome! We'll adapt our setlist to your preferences wherever we can.
5. Consider additional services
While live music is undoubtedly the highlight of any wedding reception, consider whether you'd like to add any additional services to enhance the overall experience.
From ceremony music and drinks reception entertainment to DJ services and special song requests, it's important to consider everything that you might want throughout the whole day.
Some wedding bands only cater for a specific part of the day, usually just playing a live band set in the evening. Other musicians only provide acoustic music for the ceremony and drinks reception.
If that's all you need, then that's fine! If you'd like more than that, a good option is to find one wedding band that can take care of all your requirements. This can save you a lot of hassle by cutting down the number of suppliers you need, and you could end up saving a lot of money in the process.
For example, if you plan on having some background music before/after the live band, you will find that it's much cheaper to have your chosen wedding band take care of this for you, instead of hiring in an actual DJ separately.
Full Frequency can provide a full range of services for your whole day. We can play acoustic sets for your drinks reception, a live band set for your evening party and a Spotify DJ service to keep the music playing until the end of the night.
6. Plan ahead
Don't wait until the last minute to book your wedding band, as dates fill up fast! It's common for bands to be taking wedding bookings for 1 or 2 years in advance.
As soon as you have your wedding date and venue secured, reach out to your chosen function band to discuss availability and reserve your spot.
Most wedding bands will secure your booking with a small deposit, so you can save your date ahead of time and tick this off your list early.
It's really easy to book your date with us. We only need a 20% deposit to secure your date, along with a few basic details of your big day. We understand that you won't have all your plans finalised yet, so we'll catch up with you closer to your date to confirm the finer details.
7. Trust your instincts
Ultimately, choosing the right wedding band is a gut decision. Trust your instincts and go with the band that makes you and your partner feel excited and confident about your wedding entertainment.
We know from playing countless weddings over the years just how important it is to pick the right band, as a great evening party really does top off the whole day!
We're also big believers in choosing suppliers that you get along with. After all, they're going to be part of your big day, too! With that being said, it's completely okay to ask more questions if you need to, or even jump on a quick phone or Zoom call with your chosen band to make sure you trust them and get along well!
Wedding feedback
We had a great time playing for Robin & Ellis at their wedding in Swaffham Prior. Such a lovely couple and an amazing group of guests! Check out the brilliant feedback we received from the happy couple.
In summary
In conclusion, finding the perfect wedding band is an essential part of planning your dream celebration. We know that it can be tough to find and decide on a band, and we hope that this guide helps you on that journey.
With Full Frequency, you can rest assured knowing that your entertainment is in capable hands. We're a professional function band with a group of friendly, experienced musicians and we're dedicated to making sure that you and your guests have an amazing time!
Contact us today to learn more about our services and to reserve your date.
A bit about us...
We're Full Frequency, a top quality wedding and party band available for hire across the UK.
We've been playing functions, weddings and events across the UK since 2018 and provide our clients with top quality live music for wedding receptions, corporate events, birthday parties, New Years Eve celebrations, fireworks displays, and more.
We're friendly, reliable people that are committed to delivering an amazing night of live music for your guests. Our clients always comment on our professionalism, the quality of our performance and how we make the entire experience hassle-free!