Has anyone booked their band...

We've had to do this...it is quite a scary decision because we can't be sure that they're any good...it wasn't what we wanted to do but they were the best band that we found and do exactly what we wanted - including learning the song for our first dance. I made sure I got references and emailed and phoned a couple of people who have had them at their weddings before booking.

Not seen our band play but they had some videos on youtube - may be worth having a search for yours!

How did you find your bands, and-the essential question-how much do they charge? ?

quote:Originally posted by donnaj36
how did you find your bands, and-the essential question-how much do they charge? ?

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For one band, did a google search for 'ceilidh bands edinburgh' and also our venue gave us a list of bands that had played there before. They are costing £650 for the ceilidh and a disco afterwards. We also have an all female barbershop quartet for the ceremony, one of whom is the accountant at work! Paying 'mates rate' of £200 for them

Thanks hun. An accountant female barber shop singer-sounds interesting!!! ?

quote:Originally posted by donnaj36
how did you find your bands, and-the essential question-how much do they charge? ?

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Our venue recommended an agency but that is only local, saw in (one of my many!) magazines that www.functionjunction.co.uk was good but haven't tried it...

We haven't seen our band play either - found them on the internet (from Derbyshire). Looked at testimonials etc which is obviously not a guarantee but as good as we get. they are 1080 including a disco. they play 2 sets. Expensive but it's something I really wanted.

We're using Function Junction.

They have been really good as our venue can be quite picky regarding the type of band that can play there and so they have liased with them and gave us a list of suitable acts.

We haven't heard them live either but are satisfied by their demos and video clips.

I think the bands we looked at ranged from £1000- £3000 but bear in mind that you may have to add on travel costs, early set up fees (we need this as our reception is all in the same room) and you'll usually have to provide them with meals beforehand -our venue is charging us £30 a head not including drinks!! so we're planning on sending them to the pub down the road with £20 each.

quote:Originally posted by donnaj36
thanks hun. An accountant female barber shop singer-sounds interesting!!! ?

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Lol, it does sound odd doesn't it!!! They're really good though; have a listen:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nYN3PEcyh8

The single, most important piece of advice I can give anyone when it comes to booking a band is to go and see them perform.

You wouldn't by choice, buy your wedding cake without tasting it, book a photographer without seeing a body of work, you wouldn't buy a dress without ever trying it on or go ahead with the menu without sampling it first, hire a venue without seeing it.

Demos are all well and good but are open to all manner of trickery in the studio and you could literally end up with people miming to a backing track. If you are offered a viewing, other peoples wedding or not, then go. It is a huge part of the budget to just take pot luck on. Even if the band are through an agency which, although it gives you some recourse if things go wrong, is no different from booking the band direct in terms of not knowing what you are getting. There are of course situations that might prevent someone from viewing a band i.e. you are planning from abroad or the other end of the country but it's really important that where you can you should.

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quote:Originally posted by LilyB
We're using Function Junction.

They have been really good as our venue can be quite picky regarding the type of band that can play there and so they have liased with them and gave us a list of suitable acts.

We haven't heard them live either but are satisfied by their demos and video clips.

I think the bands we looked at ranged from £1000- £3000 but bear in mind that you may have to add on travel costs, early set up fees (we need this as our reception is all in the same room) and you'll usually have to provide them with meals beforehand -our venue is charging us £30 a head not including drinks!! so we're planning on sending them to the pub down the road with £20 each.

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Are you kidding me? It is not usual to have to provide the band with a meal and drinks at all. Yes there may be bands who stipulate this but don't for a moment think this is common practice.

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quote:Originally posted by loobyg

quote:Originally posted by donnaj36
thanks hun. An accountant female barber shop singer-sounds interesting!!! ?

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Lol, it does sound odd doesn't it!!! They're really good though; have a listen:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nYN3PEcyh8

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Wow theyre ace! really different!

quote:Originally posted by Braw Wee Chanter

quote:Originally posted by LilyB
We're using Function Junction.

They have been really good as our venue can be quite picky regarding the type of band that can play there and so they have liased with them and gave us a list of suitable acts.

We haven't heard them live either but are satisfied by their demos and video clips.

I think the bands we looked at ranged from £1000- £3000 but bear in mind that you may have to add on travel costs, early set up fees (we need this as our reception is all in the same room) and you'll usually have to provide them with meals beforehand -our venue is charging us £30 a head not including drinks!! so we're planning on sending them to the pub down the road with £20 each.

id="quote">

Are you kidding me? It is not usual to have to provide the band with a meal and drinks at all. Yes there may be bands who stipulate this but don't for a moment think this is common practice.

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id="quote">

I think it's on all function junction contracts- just a heads up if you're thinking of using them.

quote:Originally posted by Braw Wee Chanter

quote:Originally posted by LilyB
We're using Function Junction.

They have been really good as our venue can be quite picky regarding the type of band that can play there and so they have liased with them and gave us a list of suitable acts.

We haven't heard them live either but are satisfied by their demos and video clips.

I think the bands we looked at ranged from £1000- £3000 but bear in mind that you may have to add on travel costs, early set up fees (we need this as our reception is all in the same room) and you'll usually have to provide them with meals beforehand -our venue is charging us £30 a head not including drinks!! so we're planning on sending them to the pub down the road with £20 each.

id="quote">

Are you kidding me? It is not usual to have to provide the band with a meal and drinks at all. Yes there may be bands who stipulate this but don't for a moment think this is common practice.id="red">
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id="quote">

We have to as well! Although ours can just make do with the buffet as it's a pretty good spread. It should count as hot food!

We booked ours through Dansatak. They're called Mission Blue and are a Motown style band of 4 singers. Mum and Dad saw them at a party a couple of years ago and said they were amazing. I trust dad's opinion on music. Their demo was pretty good too. They are costing us an eye watering £1400 for 2 45 min sets!! (so we're paying another £300 for a dj). But that was our biggest extravagance as I desperately wanted live music

quote:Originally posted by LilyB

quote:Originally posted by Braw Wee Chanter

quote:Originally posted by LilyB
We're using Function Junction.

They have been really good as our venue can be quite picky regarding the type of band that can play there and so they have liased with them and gave us a list of suitable acts.

We haven't heard them live either but are satisfied by their demos and video clips.

I think the bands we looked at ranged from £1000- £3000 but bear in mind that you may have to add on travel costs, early set up fees (we need this as our reception is all in the same room) and you'll usually have to provide them with meals beforehand -our venue is charging us £30 a head not including drinks!! so we're planning on sending them to the pub down the road with £20 each.

id="quote">

Are you kidding me? It is not usual to have to provide the band with a meal and drinks at all. Yes there may be bands who stipulate this but don't for a moment think this is common practice.

x

id="quote">

I think it's on all function junction contracts- just a heads up if you're thinking of using them.

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Sorry, I went off on one a bit there didn't I? ? I've reread your thread and see you were specifically referring to that agency. Could you explain the early set up fee situation though? Just because the reception is all in the one room (actually very common), why can't the band use the venue's turnaround time to set up? It just sounds to me as though you are being charged as significant fee for the act and a large amount of add on fees.

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