Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life, and naturally, you’ll want everything to be perfect – including the entertainment. Choosing the right wedding band elevates the atmosphere of your day and helps to create those all-important, long-lasting memories for you and your guests. But how do you select the right live band for you? Here are three things to look out for, to help you know they’re the one.
Experience and professionalism
There are many brilliant, talented bands who have never performed at a wedding before, and there are those that are well-versed in the typical structure of the day. Opting for a band in the latter category is going to bring you far less stress, and will reassure you that they are able to professionally play at your wedding.
A good wedding band will know how to engage with the audience, read the room and adapt as necessary, and handle unexpected delays. Even when you are merely enquiring and beginning the stream of communication with a band, pay attention to the speed, tone and detail of their replies. A professional band is reliable, punctual and professional in their communication and conduct – so don’t settle for anything less. They should be easy to reach and responsive to your queries.
Tailored options
It’s a lot of fun when a band offers customisation options such as special requests, themed performances or a karaoke section. A band that is keen to tailor their setlist and performance to add to the personalisation of your day is a keeper – so long as you agree on the boundaries beforehand.
Be sure to check if they’ll need any extra equipment or setup space from your venue, so you can negotiate the space seamlessly. You’ll also want to ensure that their sound setup suits the venue you’ve chosen, whether it’s outdoors or indoors, so you can expect a smooth show without any glitches.
Backup plans
It’s vital to discuss contingency plans with every band you consider booking for your wedding. In the case of an emergency, such as illness, transport issues or equipment failure, what resolution would be offered? Ironing out these details now will ensure you don’t suddenly begin to panic about entertainment-related ‘what ifs’ the day before the wedding.
If you’re hosting an outdoor wedding, be sure to discuss any extra requirements the band may need in order to play outside. It’s crucial to ask your venue about their contingency plans also, so that if it rains you know exactly what your venue and band can do to keep the party going.
Once you’ve settled on your chosen band, review the contract carefully. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You should feel satisfied that the performance duration, cancellation policy, payment schedule and other details are clarified before signing.
Take your time
Whilst it may feel like your wedding date is drawing closer at the speed of light, you should still take your time to choose the right live band for you. By considering these factors and keeping communication open with your musicians, you’ll be able to celebrate your wedding with a band that is everything you ever wanted.
Blog written by: Samantha Nieves
We have had the absolute pleasure of working with Scott & his team for a number of years now. Nothing but great laughs when we are working together. Scott has kindly answered a few questions about his services and what they offer.
What is the story behind Scotts Catering Services?
Scott’s Catering has been trading for 12 years now, Scott’s is managed by Scott himself but run his his amazing team, and without them we wouldn’t still be operating today. Some of our staff are young and only worked with us for a year or so and others have been on this great adventure with me and have been by my side for many many years.
My personal background is a young boy who failed at school goes to college to become a chef, Two years later I left and started working at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews. Big job for such a young and naive kid, still only 17 years of age.
Over the next 15 years or so I had the pleasure of working in some amazing establishments, from the Old Course Hotel St Andrews, Grosvenor House Hotel Park Lane London, Old Manor Hotel Lundin Links, Balbirnie House Hotel Markinch, Craigsanquhar House Hotel Fife, Fairmont Hotel St Andrews.
Once I was done working long hours and no family life, I decided I wanted a change in direction, and got a job lecturing hospitality at Forth Valley College in Falkirk and Stirling.
As the next 10 years passed, I realised there was something missing from my life. I missed the buzz and excitement of the commercial kitchen, so while lecturing during the day in the evenings I found myself doing small private dinner parties, which grow into bigger events and then to weddings, Balls, Students Events, Sporting events, and to be honest all kinds of event.
So I decided then to move into the outside catering business full time as the demand was so great.
As the business grew I started purchasing some cutlery, crockery, glassware etc, to help event organisers keep costs down and to make it easier getting it all under one roof.
12 years later we are now in our 5th premises and we continue to grow. With that, our event knowledge is so much better, our delivery is much smoother, our staff are much more experienced and with over 300 different products to hire for your events, our package is much more complete.
What services do you offer?
We offer a one stop shop, with over 12 years in the outside catering business.
We can offer –
Designated Event manager to oversee your event from first meeting to Event Day
Tasting service of menu prior to the event.
Full tour of our premises, showing you all our products and how we operate
Full set up / dressage of the venue and break down at the end.
Event management and front of house staff on the day
Full kitchen team of qualified chefs, porters and logistic staff
Canape receptions, Grazing tables, full dinner service, Evening buffets
Full caterhire available to compliment your event
Most important of all – we only do one wedding a day, you are our main priority for today.
What is your style?
Due to our skills and knowledge we can offer several styles.
3 course plated food menu with a Scottish / French Influence
Family Service – sharing boards / grazing boards / Host The Roast
Street Food Market style Dining
Where does your inspiration come from?
At Scott’s we try to use local produce and suppliers where possible. Food is such a fashion and by the time an event comes around that crave can have already passed. We very much like to listen to our couples and create something around them, while we have many food menus and ideas on offer its so much easier working with the couples and creating something that works for them.
What has been one of your favourite dishes to make?
It’s not about one dish but maybe the style of Cooking, I personally love the street food market theme we can create at Kinkell Byre.
All the stalls are built around the food options on offer, and all the guests get a great dining experience with a twist. Just the faces of the guests as they walk into the food court area is memorable.
Why do you like working at Kinkell Byre?
That’s easy, Everyone at Kinkell has one goal, and that is to make the day the best it can be for all couples. We all get on well and work hard to achieve the same goal, we help out where needed and no one is not prepared to help support each other.
Do you have any advice for couples planning their day?
Everyone should have a checklist.
I would advise all couples to start as early as possible. Find the suppliers you connect with best and who you know will deliver what you’re looking for on your big day.
Don’t be frightened to ask your suppliers lots of questions, Make sure they know exactly what you want your day to be like
How do couples book you and what is your process?
Our process is simple.
Once we have discussed the big day and agreed on quotes etc we send out the agreement papers which couples read, sign and return with the non refundable deposit of £500.
Quotes may change as couples do change their minds on things, or numbers increase or decrease.
Due to the position we are in now with Covid all deposits paid are transferred to a new date if we have to reschedule.
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