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The Do's and Don'ts of Hiring a Band
The Do’s and Don’ts of Hiring a Band … But Mostly the Do’s!
By Myriam Phiro
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Ashley Hesse Photography
The date is quickly approaching and every detail is meticulously planned to a T. Your dream wedding is coming to life, and you and your partner are buzzing with excitement. You have rehearsed the First Dance enough to offer anyone the performance of a lifetime. How about bringing everything to the next level by dancing your routine to live music? You are about to tell the world about your love story; it deserves some pizzazz! Whether that dream accompaniment is a serenade in the moonlight, a step back in time with an orchestra, or a pop concert at your wedding, live music will undoubtedly add that extra magical touch to an already special moment.
When hiring a band, here are 7 things to think about:
1. Be clear about the style(s) of music the band will play.
Although many bands do, not every band plays a variety of different musical styles. A Jazz band might not be the best fit to perform Top 40 songs, and a Pop band might not be the best choice for a cocktail hour. If you have a musical vision, it’s important to share it with the band leader/ agent and ask if it is part of their repertoire.
2. Plan an appropriate budget for a live band.
Often, people don’t realize the details involved with hiring live musicians for an event, such as the hours of travel or the number of musicians. Additionally, coordinating schedules and arriving to the location long before the guests do to load in and properly set up and test the sound equipment and instruments usually takes a great deal more time than the actual performance itself. However, when breaking this fee down between the amount of band members as well as the time & skills required to perform your music perfectly, the price tag soon reveals itself as being not so extravagant. Remember: these are professionals and having high level entertainment will require a certain budget.
3. Ask the band if they can play multiple segments of your wedding.
This would be particularly advantageous if you’re on a budget and would still enjoy having live music at your wedding. Many ensembles are often skilled in several musical styles and could potentially accommodate your ceremony as a duo, the cocktail hour as a trio, and the dinner portion of your reception as a quintet for example. This option would not only allow for more variety on your end, but by hiring the musicians in “bulk”, you may benefit from a substantial savings. Again, be sure to be extra clear when communicating the musical styles you wish to hear during the relative timeline; e.g. classical repertoire for the ceremony, gypsy Jazz for the cocktail hour, and Swing dancing for the reception.
4. Use song requests sparingly.
Each couple has their song or a memory that’s attached to a soundtrack: it’s only human nature! Whereas it’s expected to accommodate for First Dances, Processionals and other songs that are uniquely tailored to your wedding, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re hiring a professional and well-rehearsed band with an established repertoire, not a jukebox.
5. Feed the performers and plan for breaks accordingly.
Breaks are necessary for musicians to avoid hand and lip injuries as well as strained vocal cords. To ensure smooth transitions, break timelines and length can and should be discussed in advance. Additionally, if musicians spend over 3 hours at your event including travel and set-up, a meal of some sort is greatly appreciated.
6. Don’t just grab any microphone for speeches.
Especially in times of Covid, it is important to follow appropriate guidelines when asking the band to provide microphones. Discuss alternate microphone allowances prior to the event to avoid bad surprises.
7. Tip the band.
If you enjoy the music during your wedding or had a nice rapport with the band leader, the best way to show your appreciation is by tipping the band directly! Whereas it is not required, gratuity is highly cherished among the band members when delivering a satisfactory performance. As a good rule of thumb, musicians will reciprocate the energy they receive from you. They are entertainers at heart, and they’re passionate about what they do. Music is so connected to emotions: a skilled musician is in tune with this concept and can transmit it to their audience. There was a time when live music was a daily part of everyone’s lives, long before the stereo. In each home was a piano and, in each restaurant, would be live musicians. People would congregate around the piano and sing or play together in their living room. Music was not just a vocation or a pastime but a common thread of communication. Hiring a band for a memorable occasion is ALWAYS a good idea. No matter what style of music, the band will bring either a heightened sense of sophistication or will make you feel like dancing with that certain joy that only live entertainment can bring. After all, isn’t that what your special day is about? So, begin your marriage with a live performance and show everyone the best time; you won’t be disappointed!
Myriam Phiro is the band leader/ founder of “Nuage Rhythm”, a vintage French/gypsy Jazz band recently relocated to the RVA area from NYC. “Nuage Rhythm” specializes in blending Parisian & American Jazz of the Golden Age and Bossa Nova to accompany any cocktail hour, ceremony and/ or reception with sophistication & ebullience. For booking & inquiries, visit www.NuageRhythm.com.
Brian David Photography
featured weddings
* All information in our Featured Weddings section was provided by the couple.
&5CHASEREBECCA August 1, 2020
RW MEMBERS Photography: Leslie Nichole Photographers | Rehearsal Dinner: Hanover Tavern | Gown/Veil: Tiffanys Bridal, Sincerity Bridal #Style_44080 classic Mikado | Jeweler: Diamonds Direct | Rentals: Party Perfect | Luxury Restroom Trailers: Edmunds Waste Removal ADDITIONAL VENDORS Planner: XOXO Weddings & Events | Ceremony Site: Ashland Christian Church | Catering: Butler’s Unique Catering Officiant: Trudy Betts | Hair/Makeup: FBJ Weddings, Megan, Gigi, Alyssa | Videography: eMotion Pictures Wedding Film | Ceremony Music: Catherine Foster, Belle Arte String Quartet | Alterations: AG Alterations | Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal, White by Vera Wang | Formalwear: Jos. A Bank | Flowers: Belle & Fleur Flowers & Gifts by Sarah | DJ: Craig Hutson | Cake/Sweets: Publix and Sugar and Salt RVA | Accommodations: Virginia Crossings by Hilton | Engagement Party: James River Cellars Winery | Bridal Brunch: Quirk Hotel
Rebecca and Chase met on a date set up by mutual friends for her Sigma Kappa fall party at West Virginia University. After dating for a few years Chase popped the question. Rebecca recalls, “Chase purchased a nice pair of cowboy boots and I jokingly said he wasn’t allowed to wear them until he proposed. Weeks went by as they sat in the closet. On February 29, 2020, he begged me to let him wear them to dinner. I reluctantly agreed and went to go grab them. He took the boot and turned it upside down and out tipped the ring box.”
The couple planned their wedding in just a few short months. The ceremony was held in a quaint church. However, with its capacity and social distancing rules, it allowed only for immediate family to attend. They were able to livestream for loved ones from afar to share in their special day. Traditional Christian vows were exchanged, and they lit the same unity candle Rebecca’s parents used at their wedding. The reception was held at the home of Rebecca’s aunt and uncle. Rebecca states, “We chose this for the beautiful, inviting, and charming outdoor setting. We really wanted to escalate the backyard. We went all out with bistro lights, lanterns, tent, and stations of personalized items to transform the venue into a magical event.”
When asked about their biggest challenge, they admit that planning during a pandemic with most of Chase’s family up north created some roadblocks. Not knowing who could attend and if they could even come was stressful for all. The couple offers, “Enjoy the process leading up to the big day. Do more than one cake tasting. Stay up late handwriting invitations. Let your mom invite family you’ve never met. So many people get excited to celebrate your love. And just know, at the end of the day, it truly is just a day. Do what you want to do, but let some things go. Don’t stress the small things. You won’t remember them anyway.”
Guest Count: 75 | Budget $25,000
ANGEL
&5ZACH October 8, 2020
RW MEMBERS Ceremony Site: The Estate at River Run | Reception/Catering: The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing | Jeweler: Diamonds Direct Flowers: Weddings by Vogue | Rentals: Rent-E-Quip ADDITIONAL VENDORS Photography: Samia Minnicks Photography | Videography: Forever Films by Abby | Officiant: Janel Sealy-Smith | Gown/Alterations/Veil: David’s Bridal, Virginia Beach | Hair: Cocoa Mane, Janel Sealy-Smith | Makeup: Teresa Scott, Brushed Makeup Artistry Jeweler: Larson Jewelers | Cake: Sweet Fix
Angel and Zach first met in 2015 at Cosby High School. Both were in the marching band; Zach played clarinet and Angel was in color guard. As mutual Star Wars fans, their first date was at the movies to see The Force Awakens.
Several years later, Zach proposed to Angel in front of the USS Wisconsin in Norfolk right before the Navy ball. A photographer was there taking photos of the moment and Angel’s mom and grandfather even captured the whole thing on video!
The pandemic began during their planning process so original plans of a large wedding had to be pushed aside. When searching for a ceremony venue, Angel found The Estate at River Run and immediately sent it to Zach, who was deployed at the time. They agreed it was perfect and exactly what they were looking for.
The newlyweds danced out of the ceremony to “Now That We Found Love” by Heavy D, then moved to The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing for the reception. Of course, they worked Star Wars into their wedding with embellishments on the cake, themed music, and lightsabers from home.
Like many others, both stated that planning during a pandemic was challenging. On top of that, Angel was finishing her last semester in college and Zach was deployed. Angel says, “I had a lot on my plate, but I made it work and it was beautiful! No matter how hard you try and how much you plan, not everything will go as planned and that’s okay.”
“The main objective we had for our reception was to make it a party!” says Courtney. DJ Frank of Bunn DJ Company made that happen with high energy music and dance floor lighting. A ribbon wand exit on the way out to the trolley from Taylor’s Classic Travels capped off the perfect night.
Guest Count: 50 | Budget: $22,000
FEATURED WEDDING
BRIAN PATRICK
November 21, 2020 &5
RW MEMBERS Photography: EmmiClaire Photography | Ceremony Site: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts ADDITIONAL VENDORS Reception: Brambly Park Winery | Officiant: Gail Olberg | Sweets: Carytown Cupcakes
Brian and Patrick first met 7 years ago. After spending some time in a longdistance relationship, they finally met in person in Buffalo, NY and spent a weekend together in Niagara Falls. Both had the idea to propose to each other at Libby Hill Park overlooking the city. They each read five reasons they wanted to marry. “It was an odd way of doing it, but it was very us.”
The couple chose the VMFA as the wedding location. “When we first moved to Richmond, we went to the VMFA and had dinner at Muse Restaurant. We remembered looking down onto the sculpture park and commenting how great it would be to have a party on the stone terrace across the lawn. We chose to do our vows there.” Since the wedding was during a pandemic, safety was at the top of their concerns so the two opted to keep everything outdoors. The theme of the day was “simplicity”. The beautiful sculpture garden was the serene background requiring minimal décor under the tent. The short ceremony concluded with personal vows and then a traditional Syrian dance, a nod to Patrick’s family.
After cocktail hour and dinner at Brambly Park, the newlyweds hosted everyone at their home for an outdoor fire and their favorite movie, Practical Magic. “We filled the yard with comfortable chairs, pillows and blankets for everyone to cuddle up on. It was a hit! Everyone loved it!”
Brian and Patrick admit they never wanted a huge wedding, but Covid restrictions forced them to scale down even further. “Finding the right venue for both the ceremony and dinner was challenging. Keeping everyone comfortable and safe was our main concern.”
Guest Count: 25
&5JOHNSYDNEY June 5, 2021
RW MEMBERS Rentals: Rent-E-Quip ADDITIONAL VENDORS Photography: Emza Joy Photography | Rehearsal Dinner: Triple Crossing Brewery at Fulton | Wedding Consultant: Water & Wine VA | Ceremony/Reception Site: The Hofheimer Building | Catering: Pizza & Beer of Richmond | Officiant: Uncle Alex Sadler | Ceremony Music: Susannah Saunders and Sammy Brennan | DJ: DJ Duffy | Additional Entertainment: Jessica Mancuso | Gown Jenny Yoo | Alterations: Sew Elegant | Shoes: Seychelles | Accessories: Catbird | Hair/Makeup: Jenn Saunders, The Veil Bridal Hair & Makeup Co. | Formalwear: Franco’s of Richmond | Stationery: Zola and Richmond’s Sunday Table Co | Flowers: Strawberry Fields | Custom neon sign: Doug Soylan, Uptown Neon| Cake/Sweets: Louisa’s Homemades | Favors: KYR Preserved | Transportation: Winn Transportation, Richmond Limousine | Accommodations: The Graduate Richmond
It was summer 2016 in New York. Both transplants were a little over a year into big city living. Like most young hopefuls, they swiped right into their first date in Long Island City at Casa Enrique.
Fast forward to day 1 of 2020, and John and Sydney were the only Brooklynites who weren’t hungover. After a brief ferry ride, they wandered to The Max Family Garden, a rustic hideaway normally bustling with tourists, but the two had it all to themselves.
John paused their walk and said, “You know you’re my favorite person in the entire world, right?” And Syd (still clueless) joked, “Yes, duh John. You’re mine, too!” John leaned in for a kiss while shuffling his pocket and got down on his knee.
The two aren’t a traditional couple, so their wedding style was no exception. For the ceremony, friends Susannah and Sammy sang “This is Our Time” by WILD as Sydney walked down the aisle with mom Kathy.
Wedding inspiration came from the concrete jungle where it all began (NYC), to their houseplant collection, modern boho design style, and commitment to supporting local RVA.
Two elements defined the design: the disco ball hanging from the center of the skylight for the reception. This was a must-have, especially for Sydney, who says she should have lived during the 70s. Second was the “Virginia is for Lovers” neon sign custom made by a Richmond legend in his 80s.
Sydney’s favorite part of the day? The money gun on the dance floor. She ran the idea by John and he didn’t hesitate. She ordered a gold chrome gun, took out $300 in $1 dollar bills, and enlisted her most fun friend to use it. The crowd went wild!
The couple’s advice to others? “Do it your way. Have the wedding you want to have, and you’ll be so happy you did. Taking time to support small, local businesses comes with a cost - but it’s worth it 100%.”
Guest Count: 80 | Budget: $40-50,000
&5JOHNSYDNEY
ANGEL&5ZACH
wedding day memories
BRIAN&5PATRICK
&5CHASEREBECCA
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