by Caroline Sumner

Created on: August 11, 2010

The music is one aspect of a wedding that can help it go down in history as a success – or as a miserable event. There are so many stories out there of couples who were disappointed by their choice in wedding musicians, either because of the quality of the music they provided or because of the price tag attached to their services. To avoid becoming another anecdote among the probably thousands of couples who were not pleased by their wedding musicians, make sure to keep these tips on your mind:

NEVER TRUST A DEMO TAPE
Demo tapes are good for getting an idea of the sort of music a musician or band plays, but not for judging the overall quality of the music. The best way to get a feel for potential musicians is by hearing them play live, and preferably at an event similar to your wedding. You can get an idea of how they conduct themselves, what sort of music they will play, and how their music will suit your wedding.

ASK FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
Other couples are sure to know a few musicians from their own searches. Consult some married couples for their recommendations or ask friends in the music business about who they know. Chances are something will come along through word-of-mouth, and who knows? You may be able to get a deal by being a friend of a friend.

THINK OUTSIDE THE PROFESSIONALS
Though hiring professional musicians or a band is tempting, their prices can be sky-high and they run the risk of doing the same old tried-and-true shtick they do at every event they play. You may be surprised by the many undiscovered musicians and bands in your area. Scope out some local shows and see if anyone suits your needs and taste. You may also want to check with area colleges – or even high schools – to find some talented young people. They will certainly hire for much less than a professional group and you will likely get the same quality of entertainment.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
If the bandleader is crass in a meeting or at another event, you can’t be sure he won’t behave the same way at your wedding. If the musicians keep stopping for breaks, they will probably do the same at your event. And if they don’t sound great at an event, it’s probably not a good idea to give them the benefit of the doubt and blame it on faulty sound equipment. If you get a bad feeling about a musician or don’t love their music, don’t hire them. Simple as that. 

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