The best wedding entertainment options may not include big bands playing traditional music, but we’ll let you decide after you check out some of our great picks. Making the decision to hire a band shouldn’t end in bouts of undue stress, but if you’re not sure what to do, you may be in trouble. That’s why we offer great entertainment solutions for weddings of all sizes.
The bigger the wedding, the bigger the band?
Maybe not… Let’s consider the style of your wedding reception, before choosing the best entertainment for your wedding.
Formal – Ballroom dancing, formal suit or black tie, wedding at night.
semi-formal – Usually indoors, semi-formal dress, it can be reception in the afternoon or at night.
Casual – Indoor/outdoor attire, semi-formal to casual, afternoon reception.
Because they involve a variety of dress codes, these wedding styles also involve a variety of sash options.
The best options for a formal wedding reception – include a Big Band Era, Swing Band, String Quartet, Classical Ensemble, Latin or Salsa Music, or Orchestra – honors may include a theme or musical era with selected musical choices. One of my favorite options is to hire a Big Band for the music and add imitations to get some variety in music selections and entertainment options. Not everyone will be dancing, so having a variety of entertainment can make the formal reception more fun for everyone.
The best options for a semi-formal wedding reception – include Latin or salsa music, string quartets, jazz bands, swing bands or themed show bands, more modern music, and special tribute artists or special acts.
The Best Wedding Entertainment for Informal Receptions – Include special acts, string quartets, special tribute artists or bands with optional indoor or outdoor themes, more music can be included for singing, softer music for strolling or dancing on smaller dance floors.
The bigger the wedding, the bigger the band? Featuring bands with well-known cover artists, a cover band, or a 10-piece ensemble that offers more options might be a better selection of bands for the big wedding. Or a few string quartets entertaining in different areas of the reception? Hiring an event planner or music agent to help you plan your wedding reception offers better options.
One of the most successful wedding receptions I can remember was a house party where the bride had hired four different bands to play in different areas of the house, the gardens, and the barn-turned-ballroom. The first part of the reception was decidedly informal to semi-formal, but later in the evening, when the lights came up in the ballroom, the four bands came together as an ensemble and the ballroom dance went on well into the night. .
How exciting your wedding and reception can be when you hire the right bands for the right job!
