Don’t get caught out by making one of these wedding entertainment mistakes…

Planning a wedding can be a joyful yet overwhelming experience, and one of the most critical elements of any memorable wedding is the music.

Whether you’re looking for a live band, a string quartet, a solo pianist, or a DJ, choosing the right wedding musicians is essential to creating the perfect atmosphere for your special day.

Many couples make common mistakes when booking their wedding musicians, which can lead to disappointment and stress on what should be a joyous occasion.

We’ve put together a list of some of the most common mistakes people make when booking their wedding entertainment (so that you can avoid them!)

Waiting Until the Last Minute

If you have a particular band or musician in mind for your wedding, get them booked as soon as you can.

One of the most significant mistakes couples make is waiting until the last minute to book their wedding musicians. Quality musicians often have busy schedules and popular wedding dates (especially during peak seasons) can get booked up well in advance.

Waiting until the eleventh hour might leave you with limited options or even force you to settle for musicians who may not be your first choice. To ensure you get the musicians you want, start your search early and secure your booking as soon as possible.

Read More: How far in advanced should you book your wedding musicians?

Booking a Band Because They’re Cheap

Weddings can be expensive – there’s no doubt about that. It’s understandable that many brides and grooms would look for ways to cut their costs on the big day. But don’t let that come at the expense of your wedding entertainment.

Music is an incredibly important aspect of the day. It will help you set the tone, build ambience and atmosphere, and keep your guests entertained from the moment they arrive, all the way through until the early hours of the evening.

Cheap doesn’t always mean quality. But you can be thrifty when it comes to booking your wedding musicians.

From the moment your guests arrive for your ceremony, to walking down the aisle, your wedding recessional, drinks reception and wedding breakfast, every part of your day can be enhanced with a simple soundtrack.

Most of our bands have the option to add soloists or smaller line-up sets for your ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast. If you’re not taking advantage of this, you could be missing a trick.

By using the same musicians on a smaller scale throughout the day you can actually SAVE money across the day as opposed to booking dedicated artists for the day and night.

Not Considering the Venue

The acoustics and size of your wedding venue play a crucial role in determining the type of musicians you should choose.

Many couples overlook this aspect and end up with musicians who either overpower the space with loud music or get lost in a cavernous venue with poor sound quality.

Discuss your venue’s specifics with potential musicians to ensure they can adapt their performance to the space effectively.

You also don’t want to book a band that’s too big or too small for your venue. Getting lost in a large room, or being cramped in the corner will seriously impact your musician’s ability to perform at their best.

Make sure that you choose a musical act that can fill your venue both physically and vocally!

Neglecting to Define Your Musical Style

Each couple has its unique taste in music, and the atmosphere you want to create at your wedding should reflect your personal style.

A common mistake is not clearly defining your musical preferences when booking musicians. Do you want a romantic and classical ambience, a lively and energetic party atmosphere, or something entirely different?

Consider what impact you want your music to have throughout the day and make sure your chosen musician can help to fulfill this desire.

Be specific about your musical expectations and discuss these preferences with potential musicians to ensure they can accommodate them.

Forgetting About Your Guests

As much as your choice of wedding musicians should be about you and your significant other, don’t forget to also consider your guests.

If you have a niche taste in music, this might impact the enjoyment of your guests.

Your wedding entertainment should reflect you as a couple, but should also include a mix of music that appeals to the wider masses.

Your first dance is the perfect opportunity to pick a song that’s all about you. But after this, when the dance floor opens up to the rest of your guests, you’ll want to provide music that everyone can dance to no matter their musical preference. Find a musician who is versatile and can appeal to everyone’s tastes.

Our musicians are always happy to learn new songs for your first dance, provided they’re given enough time to put together a suitable arrangement.

Not Checking References or Reviews

In the digital age, it’s easier than ever to research and review potential wedding musicians.

Failing to check references or read reviews from previous clients can lead to unpleasant surprises on your big day.

Reviews can provide valuable insights into the professionalism, reliability, and overall performance of the musicians you’re considering. Always take the time to do your due diligence and choose musicians with a proven track record of excellence.

Find a local showcase where you can see your preferred artists play live, or request to see clips from other events they’ve played recently to make sure they fit your preferences.

Overlooking the Contract

A wedding is a significant investment, and the terms of your agreement with your chosen musicians should be crystal clear.

Some couples make the mistake of not thoroughly reviewing the contract or, in some cases, not having a contract at all.

Ensure that all details, including the agreed-upon fee, performance duration, number of musicians, and any special requests, are clearly outlined in the contract.

This will protect both you and the musicians and prevent any misunderstandings on the wedding day.

Not Communicating Your Schedule

Effective communication with your wedding musicians is key to a smooth and seamless performance. Failing to provide a detailed schedule of the day’s events, including key moments like the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, can lead to timing issues and missed cues.

Make sure your musicians are aware of the timeline and any special moments that require musical accompaniment.

At Musique our booking coordinators will work with you in the run-up to the day to ensure that a clear schedule is set out and that everything goes without a hitch on your big day.

Not Planning for Backup Musicians

Life is unpredictable, and even the most reliable musicians may encounter unexpected emergencies or scheduling conflicts. Failing to discuss backup plans with your chosen musicians can be a recipe for disaster if something unforeseen occurs.

Always ask about their contingency plans and whether they have backup musicians available in case of emergencies.

Summary

Booking the right wedding musicians is an essential part of creating a memorable wedding experience.

By avoiding these common mistakes and taking the time to research, communicate, and plan ahead, you can ensure that your wedding day is filled with beautiful music that enhances the magic of your special day.

Remember, it’s the little details that can make all the difference in creating the wedding of your dreams.

Musique’s team of dedicated booking coordinators have decades worth of experience in the entertainment industry. We’ll guide you through the planning process to make sure you make all the right choices in the lead-up to your wedding day.

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