Get the right band!

Make sure you get the band that can play the music for all parts of your reception. Why hire a band for just the dance portion of the reception when you will want music played during dinner. If the band you look at only wants to play a iPod or cd during dinner you may not want to hire that band.

Don't hire a band just because they are cheap

You may get lucky and get a great band for $200.00 but..... Remember...you get what you pay for!

Go see the band live!

A few bands will tell you anything you want to hear just to get the gig and once they are at your reception you end up with a band that played your first dance on the cd cause they couldn't learn "JUST THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT" by Frank Sinatra

Is the band more about themselves or your special day? There are some bands that will take a break on the hour every hour no matter what. Then there are others that will continue to play to keep the energy level high to make your day special and memorable.

Are you getting what you are paying for??

Most hire a live band for 4 hours and during that time you may have speeches, cake cutting, father daughter/mother son dances and dinner. If you have a great planner or you plan this right you may not lose valuable time that you are paying for.
With all of that going on you may get a 2 maybe 2 1/2 hours of dance music from the band you hire.

Let your reception FLOW

This one I feel is very important. Receptions are like Barry Manilow songs...it builds up to the BIG ENDING. You do not want anything going on but dancing once that dance music starts. Have all the family/formal photo's taken before the first dance.

Think of your guest

If you have your reception in the evening and the wedding in the afternoon think about all the time your guest will be just sitting and waiting. A long wait before the reception actually starts can make your guest bored and want to leave.

Make sure the venue can support a live band

Does the venue allow live music? Can it handle the power of a live band. Is there enough space for a live band and a dance floor.

Dollar Dances

Dollar Dances can take a really long time to complete especially if you are having a large reception. You may want to consider another option instead of using a lot of valuable time that you have paid for.

Variety is the key

You most likely will have people of all ages at your reception and you want all of them entertained. Get a band that can play older music and pop music.

Do not play list??

The song you may HATE may be the song that drives the crowd wild. The songs you love may be the songs your guest HATE.