How to Hire a Great Live Wedding Band Without Breaking the Bank
It’s no surprise that weddings are expensive. In fact, the average cost of a wedding in the UK is more than £30,000.1 One of the expenses that can make or break a wedding experience — and your budget — is the music. If you want to hire a live wedding band, it can end up costing a lot more than you might want it to. Luckily, there are ways you can book your favorite wedding band at an affordable cost.
Wedding bands can bring a fun and energetic feeling to your cocktail hour and reception. So, being strategic with wedding planning can help you book a live band within your budget. If you’re planning your wedding and want to save on music, here is what you should know.
How Much Do Wedding Bands Cost?
Pricing for live wedding bands can depend on several factors. This includes how many people are in the band, how long you want them to perform, and the date of your wedding. You can work your way to a lower fee by understanding how each of these factors influence the price.
The average cost for a four-piece wedding band can range from £1000 to £1400. That fee is determined by each musician in the band, which averages between £250 and £350. Here’s what goes into consideration for pricing:
- Length of the set;
- Band’s arrival and finish time;
- Travel expenses;
- Accomodation, and;
- Dinner or meal at the wedding.
You will have to sign a contract when booking a wedding band. Many will require a non-refundable deposit that usually costs 25 to 50 percent of the quote. Make sure you agree to the prices and know in advance the type of entertainment they will provide. That way, you don’t risk cancelling and losing your deposit.2
Ways to Save Money on a Live Wedding Band
Part of wedding planning is making decisions that can help save you money. If you’re looking for live entertainment for the big day, keep the following tips in mind.
Choose a Smaller Band or DJ
While the average cost for a four-piece band can reach the thousands, you could choose a smaller musical group. Acoustic duos can cost between £500 to £700, while trios can range from £750 to £1050.
There are alternatives to hiring a band. You could opt for a DJ, which costs significantly less money while still providing entertainment for your guests. The costs for a wedding DJ range from just £200 to £600, with the average being £404.3
Book Your Wedding Off-Season
Like many wedding costs, the price of a live band can greatly be based on the time of year you’re getting married. Bands are more in demand during peak wedding season, which is from May to October. During this time, bands can be fully booked during these months. Therefore, there is a low chance of obtaining a discount since they need to keep up with demand.
To score your favorite band at a potentially lower price, book your wedding in the off-season. Also keep in mind that it’s unlikely you’ll get a lower price for weddings on Friday, Saturday, or at the last minute.
Seek Local Talent
Weddings are a competitive business. So, you will have a ton of options when it comes to hiring professional talent.
Wherever you’re getting married, see if there are local bands you can hire. They could be less expensive than bands who are more in demand and travel around for work. Plus, this will ensure you won’t have to pay for potential band travel expenses a band could charge.
Ask friends and family if they know any bands you could consider or reach out to a band you saw from a previous event and see if they’re available. Just make sure you have a good idea of what type of music you’re looking for. This can help you narrow down talent and get one step closer to finding the right band for your big day.
Research Bands Online
Hiring a professional band will give you a great wedding night, but you have to remember it comes with a cost. Investing in experienced musicians is a way to ensure you’re getting quality entertainment that low-end bands might not provide.
Before booking a band, do your research. Hiring a band shouldn’t be stressful. If a particular band is making the process difficult, you might not be hiring the professionals you want. So, check out the band’s website and see how many of your questions about their service are answered there.
Listen to the band’s music and see if there are any videos of live wedding performances online. Even take it one step further and see if you can watch them do a show live. This will give you an idea of what hiring them for your wedding will look like. Also, it will help you decide whether or not you want to invest in their performance.