Your entertainment choices can make or break your wedding reception. An amazing band with the perfect sound will have the dance floor hopping all night. All of your favorite tunes playing one after the other, the band performs elaborate numbers with perfect sound. The bandleader getting everyone pumped up and involved with the celebration. A great disc jockey spins the perfect combination of songs, and the sound system is crystal clear. And all of your guests agree that your wedding reception was the party of the year.
If you make the wrong choices, however, you could end up having a cheesy cover band or a DJ in an oversized sequined jacket dancing on a giant speaker. You’ll be horrified by an empty dance floor. There will be so many awkward song choices and breaks in the action that your celebration never gets off the ground.
The decisions you make while you’re planning your wedding can prevent these horrifying catastrophes. There are some mistakes to avoid making as you plan for the entertainment at your wedding reception. Keep these missteps in mind and you’ll make the right decisions, and wind up with the perfect night instead of your worst nightmare.
Don’t Hire a Band or A DJ Without Seeing Them in Person
While bands and DJs will offer DVDs for convenience, if you hire them based on only a taped performance, you’re likely to get caught in a bait and switch. You’ll wind up with a completely different band or DJ than the one you saw on the tape. The tape could be a few years old, the band could have changed and evolved into a whole different genre of music. Instead of the top hits you saw them play, now they may play more 80’s music or, worse still, their new lead singer thinks he’s Steve Perry from Journey and that’s all he can sing. You didn’t hire a cover band, so who are these people playing an ear splitting version of Open Arms? And why are they dressed like bums?
Brides and grooms often make this mistake and wind up regretting not taking the time to hold live auditions to choose a band or musical performer for their wedding reception. The only way to get a good feel for their performances, hear the quality of their instruments, equipment and vocals, and how they deal with the crowd is to see them live at a real event.
Visit a Real Live Show
Ask the entertainer or check their websites to find out where they’re going to be performing. It is perfectly acceptable to stop by an actual wedding reception and stand just outside the venue doors, maybe peek inside but don’t go inside, to observe the band or DJ in action. If they aren’t performing anywhere you can go watch, ask them when and where you can put together a brief live audition. Don’t be concerned that you’re putting them out, any entertainer is used to auditioning, and will welcome the chance to show you their stuff.
Don’t let a DJ or band convince you to just watch a video stream or DVD of their performance. Videos can easily be edited and you may not get what you see. If an entertainer won’t give you a live audition or invite you to a live show, move on to the next option on your list. The entertainment for your wedding reception is far too important to leave to chance.