Whether you opt for a courthouse wedding in Michigan or a more traditional ceremony and reception, hiring wedding musicians will make the occasion much more special. Securing the right wedding entertainment for your big day can make a huge impact on the event as well as your guests’ experience. How can you select the best musicians while sticking to your budget?
City Hall Wedding has your solution. Follow the tips in this guide to explore all wedding music options that will enhance your event without breaking the bank.
Limit Your Search To Local Musicians
The idea of hiring a band or solo musicians for your ceremony or reception might be one that you’re not willing to part with. While reputable wedding musicians can come with a higher price tag, a big part of the cost might be for them to travel from another area to your venue. Wedding bands may advertise that they serve your area but if they have to drive several hours round trip to play at your wedding, you might incur additional costs.
Narrow your search down to musicians in your immediate area. This not only saves you money by eliminating travel but also comes with the following benefits:
- Bands ensure a prompt and early arrival
- Musicians feel refreshed without long travel days
- They’re likely familiar with your venue
Start by searching for musicians within 25 miles of you and then gradually broaden your search if necessary.
Look for Smaller Groups
As you begin the wedding planning process, you might have visions of a 10-piece band rocking your reception or an elegant string quartet to entertain guests during and after your ceremony. However, the cost of so many musicians can drastically increase the cost of your entertainment. Focus on hiring smaller groups or even solo acts as your entertainment.
Couples on a tight budget can still enjoy live wedding music but save money by opting for a solo violinist for the ceremony music or a talented three-piece band that can cover vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. Even researching string duos or trios can give you the ideal sound of a string quartet without the extra cost.
Hire One Band for the Entire Wedding
If you don’t have an extravagant wedding budget, hiring multiple musical acts for your big day likely isn’t feasible. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t book incredible musicians to entertain guests the entire time. Cater your search to bands who can play throughout the day instead of just at your reception.
One band with a keyboardist, guitar player, drummer, and bassist, for example, can provide the following musical options:
- Soft, acoustic wedding music as guests and the wedding party arrive
- Mellow tunes during cocktail hour and dinner
- Energetic songs for after-dinner dancing
Figure out what type of music you want to hear throughout your wedding and make sure the band you hire can bring that vision to life.
Don’t Compromise Talent and Skill for Saving Money
One of the biggest musician booking tips wedding professionals have is to focus on hiring seasoned professionals. You can book budget wedding musicians without having to rely on amateurs or students without much experience. Don’t hire an inexperienced musician for the sake of saving money since this can potentially take away from your wedding.
Say you hire an amateur violinist to play processional and recessional music. They might feel nervous playing for the crowd or misread the music and make a noticeable mistake. As you arrive at your ceremony, the focus should be on you and your soon-to-be spouse rather than a jittery musician playing the wrong notes.
Communicate with different musical acts before you hire one. To ensure they’re the ultimate professional, ask about their credentials, including:
- Total years of experience
- The number of weddings they perform at
- How many songs they know
You can also ask for references or request videos of past wedding performances. The entertainment will be an essential part of your wedding so don’t be afraid to talk with musicians about their expertise before you commit to hiring them.
Consider Booking an Uncommon Date
If you don’t already have a wedding date set, consider choosing a weekday or other uncommon date. Wedding musicians tend to be in high demand on Fridays and Saturdays and may charge more for their services on these days. Having your wedding on a less common day of the week not only helps you save on the entertainment but also on your venue.
It’s not just the day of the week that you should consider. Many wedding vendors offer lower prices for couples who marry during off-peak months, typically between November and March. The lower demand during these months allows couples to hire with ease and possibly at a lower rate than you’d see during peak wedding season.
Hire Musicians Early
If you’re a couple planning the wedding far in advance, this benefits you when it comes to your entertainment selection. Booking wedding bands and musicians over a year in advance not only gives you more flexibility in your hiring choices but may grant you a special discount.
Some bands have deals that let couples save money when they book early enough. This also gives the band plenty of time to learn any new songs you have your heart set on hearing that day. Waiting until the last minute to hire a musical act tends to jack up the price so check this item off your planning list as soon as possible.
Discover More Budget-Friendly Wedding Tips Through City Hall Wedding
Finding talented, professional wedding musicians who won’t break the bank is possible when you follow the tips above. For more help managing wedding costs and planning a beautiful event on a budget, City Hall Wedding has you covered. Our knowledgeable wedding experts have tips and tricks for couples of all kinds with different wedding visions.
Discover more creative ideas for planning your perfect day on our website and submit our contact form to stay connected. Get more information today.