On your wedding day, after vows are made, the register has been signed, and the speeches are out of the way, there's nothing left to do but breathe a huge sigh of relief, and hit the dance floor for the party of your life. And for that, you need a great wedding band. One of the biggest elements to planning a wedding is the music, and having a top-notch wedding band is the perfect way to get the party started. To help you find the right band for your big day, we've put together a list of 20+ important questions to ask your wedding band, for before and some for after booking, along with some handy tips for not only finding the right band, but making sure it all runs smoothly on the day too!

Questions to Ask Your Wedding Band

We've put together a list of questions that you can run through with any potential wedding bands (click here to see who we recommend by the way!). Of course, not all of the questions on the list will be relevant, some can be asked after booking closer to the date, so feel free to edit according to your needs! We recommend that you make sure you're happy with the answers before you book.

•  Is my date available?
• Do you have public liability insurance cover?
• What are your requirements at the venue in terms of space and equipment, etc?
• Can we see you play at a live or virtual showcase or watch videos before we book?
• Can you be fun and current, but still cater for our families and not alienate anyone?
• Can you play our first dance song live?
• Can you invite the bridal party on the floor after 30 seconds of our first dance (because we don't want too much attention!)?
• Do you take requests on the night?
• Do we need to select a set list? If so, when do you need it finalised?
• Can you get the party moving and create a great atmosphere?

• What will the band wear?
• Will there be any pop-up branded signage or a stage backdrop?
• Is my deposit refundable?
• When should the final balance be paid and what method of payment is required?
• How long will the band play for?
• If things run behind schedule (i.e. the meal and speeches), will the band play later?
• Is there a travel fee for venues beyond the band's location?
• If a band member is sick, do the band have an alternative musician/singer to take their place?
• Are you familiar with the venue?
• Do you also provide a DJ service?
• Can we have a 'no-play' list?
• What time will the band arrive to the venue to set up?
• What happens during the break between band sets?
• Do you have any dietary requirements? (they'll be grateful to be supplied with late-night food!)
• How much do you charge and are there any extra charges if you go overtime?

Things to Remember When Booking a Wedding Band

• Really think about what kind of wedding band you want, and what kind of vibe you want them to bring. Are you looking for crowd pleasers who'll churn out the hits, do you want a band that's stylised (like a Rat Pack band) or someone novel (like a tribute act)? Perhaps you have lot of older guests or a smaller venue, and you want something a little more acoustic and mellow?
• Try to see your band live before you book them, if possible. If you haven't seen them before at a gig or another wedding, pop along to a showcase. Many bands take part in showcases in local hotels or bars. It's a great way to meet a band and see how they perform for a crowd. If this isn't possible, a virtual showcase or set of high-quality videos is the next best thing.
• Wedding bands normally play for two to three hours, assuming that they start at the agreed time. If the speeches run over longer or the meal is delayed, this time may not be added on by the band. If you don't want to lose any time on the dance floor, time your dinner a little earlier so you have a buffer if things get delayed. If there are any curfews in place, such as noise restrictions, you may like to adjust your timeline to allow the band to deliver their full set.
• When it comes to your first dance song, ask the band if they know it and if they can play it live (if that's what you want). A band won't be offended if you choose to go with a CD and try not to take offence if they say they're not up to playing it live. For example, an 80s tribute band might not be the best fit if your first dance is to a Ed Sheeran song!

• Your venue may ask you if your entertainment providers have public liability insurance cover. So check with your band and get a copy of a cover note from their insurance company to give to your venue beforehand.
• If you're concerned about the logistics of the band playing in your venue, don't worry. In 99% of cases, the venue has hosted music before so it should be pretty straight forward. Once in a while somewhere unusual pops up, like a new venue, marquee wedding or an outdoor setting. The outdoors can pose problems, so if that's what you have in mind, notify the band, see what their power and staging requirements are and have a back-up plan in case it rains!
• Make sure to check where your guests will be dancing on the night and what tables will be moved. Some venues are quite old and might have an old granite floor for pounding your feet on, which is not ideal, wooden dance floors work best!

While any wedding band worth their salt will be able to bring the tunes, all of our recommended wedding bands - who are all great BTW! - say that it's the couple who make the party and set the tone for their guests. So kick off your heels, make sure your dancing shoes are on and get front and centre on the dancefloor!

See our favourite wedding bands in Ireland here!