Brides Helping Brides ™ - Bands... any suggestions?

kateh Posted: Jul 18, 2005 01:26 PM+

kateh MEMBER SINCE: 7/05 TOTAL POSTS : 225 WEDDING DATE: May 20, 2006

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 01:26 PM

Bands... any suggestions?

well, I still haven't book my venue, but I'm already researching bands. Am I getting ahead of myself?? It's just that the music is so important to me, so I want the band to be incredible.

For those of you who booked a band, how did you pick which one was right for you? Believe it or not, I've never been to a wedding with a band, so I don't really know what to expect. But I love live music, so it's definitely the way I want to go. Here are a few that I am looking at:

Gerard Carelli & Orchestra
Charlotte Russe music
Expressway

Do these bands usually let you see them live before you book them? How does it work??

Thanks!!!
Kate

JenNeen Posted: Jul 18, 2005 01:40 PM+

JenNeen MEMBER SINCE: 1/05 TOTAL POSTS : 469 WEDDING DATE: Sep 24, 2005

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 01:40 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

I agree....the music makes or breaks the evening.

We searched and searched, but no band satisfied everything we wanted until we found the Ken James Orchestra.

They are a vendor on this site if you want to contact them.

Good luck and happy hunting!

Nautical bride Posted: Jul 18, 2005 01:52 PM+

Nautical bride MEMBER SINCE: 2/04 TOTAL POSTS : 1439 WEDDING DATE: May 21, 2005

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 01:52 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

We used the band Skyline, which is managed by Skyline Orchestras, a vendor on this site. Our guests literally keep raving about them to this day. We live in MD, so we asked my parents to scout out bands at showcases and they said this one stood out to them. They videotaped them at a showcase and we liked what we saw.

I think it doesn't hurt to book a band very early because the good ones book up fast. It is good to pick a band you know other brides have had success with, and to pick a band with a lot of energy, multiple singers, and a good range of music. I also recommend a horn section. We had a trumpet and sax.

jilmadison Posted: Jul 18, 2005 01:55 PM+

jilmadison MEMBER SINCE: 2/05 TOTAL POSTS : 2224 WEDDING DATE: Feb 25, 2006

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 01:55 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

I booked Time Piece (Franklin Wayne Music). I think they are amazing. they have such great energy.

I went to showcases, lots of band showcases. You have to seem them live before you can decide.

Blu-ize Posted: Jul 18, 2005 01:57 PM+

Blu-ize MEMBER SINCE: 8/04 TOTAL POSTS : 8304 WEDDING DATE: Feb 28, 1998

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 01:57 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

We had Niteflight, they were unbelievable. They are a 9pc band and they showcase and play some clubs. I was extremely happy with this vendor.

On another note, I did see Charlotte Russe and I did not like them.

lauren16 Posted: Jul 18, 2005 02:09 PM+

lauren16 MEMBER SINCE: 8/04 TOTAL POSTS : 527 WEDDING DATE: Nov 19, 2005

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 02:09 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

We are using Renegade (part of LI Paramount...www.liparamount.com) They are performing tonight at 8pm at Westbury Manor. They do a performance about once a month...I've heard great things and my family saw them at another wedding and loved them! I hope I like them tonight:)

JGirl11297 Posted: Jul 18, 2005 02:41 PM+

JGirl11297 MEMBER SINCE: 9/04 TOTAL POSTS : 1081 WEDDING DATE: Nov 02, 2007

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 02:41 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

We booked Heart & Soul from Franklin Wayne Bands. We went to different showcases to listen to the bands.

If you go to the Franklin Wayne website you can listen to the bands.Franklin Wayne Bands

cole Posted: Jul 18, 2005 02:48 PM+

cole MEMBER SINCE: 12/04 TOTAL POSTS : 211 WEDDING DATE: Jun 02, 2006

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 02:48 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

We are using Renegade (part of LI Paramount...www.liparamount.com) They are performing tonight at 8pm at Westbury Manor. They do a performance about once a month...I've heard great things and my family saw them at another wedding and loved them! I hope I like them tonight:)

Hey i will see you there!! im going to see renegade too!

simbacat Posted: Jul 18, 2005 02:49 PM+

simbacat MEMBER SINCE: 1/05 TOTAL POSTS : 887 WEDDING DATE: Jun 18, 2005

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 02:49 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

Posted by jilmadison

I booked Time Piece (Franklin Wayne Music). I think they are amazing. they have such great energy.

I went to showcases, lots of band showcases. You have to seem them live before you can decide.

I saw them at a showcase as well and my jaw dropped at how GREAT they were. Good Pick !

cole Posted: Jul 18, 2005 02:51 PM+

cole MEMBER SINCE: 12/04 TOTAL POSTS : 211 WEDDING DATE: Jun 02, 2006

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 02:51 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

Hi Lauren,

I'm going to go and see Renegade tonight too!

Maybe I will see you there,
Cole

babydoc Posted: Jul 18, 2005 02:55 PM+

babydoc MEMBER SINCE: 9/04 TOTAL POSTS : 43 WEDDING DATE: Jul 30, 2005

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 02:55 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

The music was just as important to us as the venue. We also started to look at bands prior to venue because it was just as important that the venue had a date that the band could do as the band had a date that the venue had open.

My fiance and I researched about 10 bands. First, you have to determine what your price range is and how many pieces would be good for your venue. You don't want a 14 piece band in a small venue (they'll drown everything else out and it'll be a waste) and you don't want a 4 piece band for a huge concert hall. Next you have to decide how important it is for you to be able to see the band live. A lot of bands don't do showcases. This was important to us. Picking a band from a cd or tape is really taking a leap of faith and, for the money we were spending, we wanted to be more sure of our investment. I wouldn't choose a diamond ring from a picture, I'm not going to choose a band from a cd.

The bands we liked the most were: Vali Music (who we chose) and New York City Swing (a close second). We were able to see both live. We also went to Starlight Orchestras (saw dvds), Hank Lane (cds), Paul Rich (dvd), Soul System Orchestras (dvd) (the drummer is from the old 80's band Skid Row), Franklin Wayne (vcr tape), Gerard Carelli (cd), and one or two others that I forget off-hand. While Vali and NYC Swing were the most expensive - they also had the best vocal sections of any of these bands.

xjulietx Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:01 PM+

xjulietx MEMBER SINCE: 4/03 TOTAL POSTS : 6638 WEDDING DATE: Jun 20, 2004

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:01 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

I had a band that was contracted individually since my dad is in the business (he called a bandleader who put together a band made up of society band musicians)

As far as set bands that I have heard great things about, Rhapsody is supposed to be great. My brother booked them for his wedding and he is also a professional musician (like my dad) and so he knows a good band when he hears it.

babydoc Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:07 PM+

babydoc MEMBER SINCE: 9/04 TOTAL POSTS : 43 WEDDING DATE: Jul 30, 2005

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:07 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

One more thing. Music - more than anything - is subjective. What's great music to one person is trash to another. It's why Eminen, Elton John and Jessica Simpson can all thrive in the same day and age. So don't pick a band because someone else said they are great - make sure you like them.

SuzBride Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:11 PM+

SuzBride MEMBER SINCE: 1/05 TOTAL POSTS : 9762 WEDDING DATE: Jul 08, 2006

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:11 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

we went to a bunch of showcases for all different bands. It was a bit of a pain in the arse because most of the bands only have one or two a month, but it gives you an idea of how the band sounds. In the end we booked Arcadia (www.liparamount.com) and are super happy

Mrs. dleeny Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:19 PM+

Mrs. dleeny MEMBER SINCE: 3/05 TOTAL POSTS : 12387 WEDDING DATE: Nov 06, 2005

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:19 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

We would have a band if we were having a bigger wedding. I would definitely hire Nightflight. they're awesome!

RedRoses Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:41 PM+

RedRoses MEMBER SINCE: 8/04 TOTAL POSTS : 377 WEDDING DATE: May 28, 2006

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:41 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

Posted by xjulietx

I had a band that was contracted individually since my dad is in the business (he called a bandleader who put together a band made up of society band musicians)

As far as set bands that I have heard great things about, Rhapsody is supposed to be great. My brother booked them for his wedding and he is also a professional musician (like my dad) and so he knows a good band when he hears it.

Hehe. My dad's also in the business. Isn't it awesome?! Anyway, he recommended Scott Evans (he played Jax430's wedding) and Larry King. They're both wonderful, but we ended up picking Larry King. FM me for more info.

july06bride Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:49 PM+

july06bride MEMBER SINCE: 12/04 TOTAL POSTS : 7792 WEDDING DATE: Jul 01, 2006

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:49 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

Posted by JGirl11297

We booked Heart & Soul from Franklin Wayne Bands. We went to different showcases to listen to the bands.

If you go to the Franklin Wayne website you can listen to the bands.Franklin Wayne Bands

I booked heart and soul too! saw them at showcases they are fabulous and they gave me a dvd/cd too
I am so excited about them!

jms100303 Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:52 PM+

jms100303 MEMBER SINCE: 8/03 TOTAL POSTS : 844 WEDDING DATE: Oct 03, 2003

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:52 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

Posted by JenNeen

I agree....the music makes or breaks the evening.

We searched and searched, but no band satisfied everything we wanted until we found the Ken James Orchestra.

They are a vendor on this site if you want to contact them.

Good luck and happy hunting!

Same here!! We actually almost settled on another band because we had looked at so many and didn't find THE one. Then we heard Ken James. They were incredible and we were extremely happy with them!

bluesashbride Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:59 PM+

bluesashbride MEMBER SINCE: 9/04 TOTAL POSTS : 2445 WEDDING DATE: May 21, 2005

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 03:59 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

i wanted a band that specialized in italian american music-and did great sinatra and the like. highly highy recommend them.

John Christian Entertainment

janelovesharry Posted: Jul 18, 2005 04:54 PM+

janelovesharry MEMBER SINCE: 2/05 TOTAL POSTS : 744 WEDDING DATE: Jun 24, 2006

Posted: Jul 18, 2005 04:54 PM

Re: Bands... any suggestions?

We are using Soul Revival for our wedding. We saw them at a friends wedding last summer and LOVED them

I think we just knew when we were at that wedding that this was the band for us. They were so much fun, and that's what we want...a fun wedding where everyone is dancing and loving it

However, we went to a few showcases of other bands, just to see what else was out there...but we just ended up loving Soul Revival even more! They are a vendor on here too and we booked them 1st thing...so I don't think that it is too early too start looking...this is NY things book up super fast