Live Band help!

I absolutely love live bands and they bring a fantastic atmosphere to an evening reception! It can't hurt to ask!

We had seen our band at our friends wedding and really liked them. We said that we had a really tight budget but really wanted them and they knocked £50 off. When looking around before we had decided and were just looking for quotes one band knocked £400 off when I said that we had been offered a lower quote, i was quite shocked how quickly they lowered the price! It's definitely worth asking!

Personally I always take in to account the day of the week when I quote in the first place, rather than having a set price. So, I'll always send a lower quote for a mid week wedding. Everyone's different though, so it's definitely worth a haggle. They can only say no!!

They may have extras they'll throw in free of charge if they won't budge on price. For example, I offer an LED uplighter package I'm usually happy to throw in for free for an off-peak date.

One slight word of caution - I have quite a few mid/week dates booked in for this year, people seem to be taking advantage of cheaper, mid-week deals at venues more than ever. It's not completely unfeasable that your band will still get booked up elsewhere before you have chance to make your minds up!

Hope this helps

James

We didn't haggle with ours but for a mid-week wedding I'm sure they will be a bit cheaper. Simply ask them for a quote and work from there. You could always say you have a certain budget in mind and see if they can work to it.

We booked through function-central.co.uk and they sound really good. We coudln't afford a big band and so have got a twosome- The Clementines.

R xxx

Forgot to say - be nice!! I'd be much more inclined to offer a discount if I like the couple and feel like we're on the same wavelength. Your band will want a good crowd just like you want a good band

I was having a look at this website last night and found this band too - they sound great. I have sent them an enquiry so really hoping they are in budget ?

I totally agree with this. We've been able to wrangle a few bargains on things, just by being nice and personable and not wading in with bridezilla size 10s!

We were let down by our original band ('friends' of ours...ahem) so had to look around at a professional outfit which we didn't really have the budget for. We were originally quoted £1000 for a Saturday evening wedding; I was very apologetic and said thank you, but that's out of our budget- explained the situation- and they knocked the price down to £750!

As it happens, we now don't have to pay anything as my brother's band will do it for free...but it just goes to show that it's worth a haggle! ?

Katie- Anne- how fab! We really liked that they wee laid back to listen to but upbeat enough to dance to as well. - and they did our song- Your Song.

I was worried about not seeing them before the day and booking it all online but Function Central have been really professional.

R xxx

The band we wanted originally quoted £1600, which we didn't want to pay.

We negotiated them down to £1300 - that's for a Friday in October.

My Fiancee's in a band that plays at birthdays/proms/ the occasional wedding and his band always ask the organisers what they're prepared to pay before they give them a price! I think they're of the thinking that they'd rather have some work than no work. Also will you be feeding them? Are you paying their travel costs/petrol? If you're giving them grub or pay their petrol they may knock down the price for you. In my experience the price of bands vary widely and the more well known a band is the less likely they are to budge on price because they can afford to turn down work because they know there will be work there to replace it (if that makes sense). Is it for two forty five minute sets or just one set?

Hi Shirelle, just to give you some perspective from a bands point of view....

We play every weekend all over the UK, we have a set price but will negotiate with clients depending on set length, DJ package, location, live first dance, any specific songs people require us to learn etc the list of negotiating factors is endless!

Just approach your band and say sorry, you're too expensive, we'd like to book you but we're not willing to pay that ,much. If your guys want the gig I'm sure they can come to some sort of friendly arrangement (within reason ?)

Good luck!

James

Hey everyone, thanks for your response. I have spoke to the lead singer on the couple of occasions, and I really like him and he has been great with us. Im gonna ask him to meet up with us and have a chat, him and OH had a gab about acoustics and stuff (OH is in a band) so they seemed ot get on well. I was thinking along the lines of them not being offered another wedding on a Wednesday in September. I can but try xx