I really felt that I had to write another post on prices as generally people have no idea how much a live band will cost for thier event. Prices can vary, not by hundreds of pounds but by thousands. Believe me you will always get what you pay for and that applies to anything in life. Now I’m all for getting a good deal, especially in the times we live in. However I draw the line at getting part timers to do any job that a full time professinal should do. For example I wouldn’t get my next door neighbour who has a lovely new digital camera to take my wedding photos, too much of a gamble for your big day. I would pay a professional to capture my wedding day and I’d be happy in the knowledge that I could leave it to them to get on with their job and that I would have some fabulous photos afterwards.

The same goes for the band. Whilst the 5 piece band that have quoted me only £600 to play at my wedding, might be cheap what exactly am I getting?
I am getting 5 people that enjoy playing music at the weekends, but they work during the week in whatever they do. The band is a bit of fun and extra cash at the weekend. If they don’t make their living out of music then  they just aren’t good enough. That may seem harsh but its true. The best musicians are full time professionals. This is how they earn their living.  You won’t find them in the office during the week. Trust me you have to be pretty darn good to make a living out of playing music.

Now, whilst at £600 they are cheap, how many weddings do they do each year? how big is their playlist? what happens if one of them can’t make it? I’ll answer those for you. They don’t do many weddings, they have their rehearsed 2 x 1 hours of live music which they will play in the same order as they do everytime they play. They won’t be able to take any of your requests because they only know those songs and if one of them is ill or decides to take a holiday when its your wedding, then they will cancel!! I can’t tell you the number of calls I receive every year from brides whose band has let them down at the last minute. When I ask them how much they were paying I tell them that’s why the band have cancelled. To the band, it doesn’t matter whether they play for your wedding or party or not. Their reputation doesn’t depend on it, a proffessional Essex wedding and party band like One Foot in the Groove will never cancel. We just replace the musician who can’t make it with another equally talented musician and you are non the wiser. You shouldn’t have to worry about anything. Do you really want your special day ruined by an inexperienced band?

Next time we’ll look at VAT, customer service, comparing like for like and the difference a great band can make at your event.