XP to Nest: Need your opinion on Bands (poll)

Beagle211

We are having trouble picking a band.  We’re kind of stuck. We wanted a band with a horn section so we can play some big band music and Sinatra, etc.

Both bands will play cocktail hour, ceremony, and reception. They will both learn our first song.   They are the same price.  Both sound excellent.

Band A:  10 piece band, 2 singers; has many reviews on Wedding Wire with 5 stars.  Brings own lighting and sound.   Plays the major wedding party songs, but not as impressive sounding as Band B. 

Band B: 20 piece band, 4 singers; mainly play festivals and like events, but are starting to do weddings again.  Many of the players play in other bands that do weddings.  They mainly play big band, but are willing to learn party songs that we want.  Brings sound, but not lighting.  Not on Wedding Wire, cannot find reviews online.

QTsgirl522

Even though they're the same price, you will have to feed twice as many people with the second band but if you like them better I say go for it.

Bride_to_be_2011

Ditto PP.

[Deleted User]

Plus tip...

Beagle211

That is true.

We don't need to feed them (we asked).

Beagle211

And if all other things are equal (liking them), which one would you pick?

Bride_to_be_2011

If you don't need to feed them, what are they going to eat??

I would pick band A, you still need to tip twice as much if theres twice as many people.

[Deleted User]

I guess my issue with band b is they are impressive sounding with the music they are comfortable playing not other wedding music.  

I also think a good deal of that is from pure power.  20 horns is a lot of power!  Well maybe 17 or so anyway.  

Also do you want lighting?  This was not really important to us. 

paprika28

I'd go with band A. They know the party music already, and although you want the horns for the big band sound, do you want that all night? Plus yeah, tipping 2x as much... that's bound to be a good chunk.

ooodsie

I was torn between an awesome professional sounding band and a less expensive more fun party band.  I went with the party band (who's quality was not as impressive as the first band) because of the fact that once people are drinking and dancing, they aren't focusing as much on how accurate the singer is, they are focusing on having fun.   Not saying my band sucked, but it just was a step below the bigger more professional band we had found that we were comparing them to.  

caraellen23

You already got a lot of great advice.  Where is your reception?  Is a 20-piece band going to totally overwhelm everyone in that space?  Do you really not have to feed them?? Seems strange.  Also, does either band take a complete break, or does one break down into smaller pieces so there is always live music playing (this would be a dealbreaker for me to have a band just take a break)?

I had a 10-piece band with a horn section and they were AMAZING.  People are still talking about how great they were (Jesster can attest to this).  I don't think we needed a bigger band, it would have been too much for the space.

Are they both from the same company? 

caraellen23

Also, depending on what company you are using, you might be able to add a few pieces to the smaller band.  Maybe add another singer, or add two horns, etc. 

Jesster153

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_xp-nest-need-opinion-bands-poll?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:105Discussion:934c191d-0419-435f-bc99-b11d0046fc93Post:92f2c29b-d2f3-4711-beee-689ddd2aaaa5">Re: XP to Nest: Need your opinion on Bands (poll)</a>:
[QUOTE]You already got a lot of great advice.  Where is your reception?  Is a 20-piece band going to totally overwhelm everyone in that space?  Do you really not have to feed them?? Seems strange.  Also, does either band take a complete break, or does one break down into smaller pieces so there is always live music playing (this would be a dealbreaker for me to have a band just take a break)? I had a 10-piece band with a horn section and they were AMAZING.  People are still talking about how great they were (Jesster can attest to this).  I don't think we needed a bigger band, it would have been too much for the space. Are they both from the same company? 
Posted by caraellen23[/QUOTE]

all of this.

Beagle211

That's my concern about the 20 piece band, that they'll be too big.

I think they do just take breaks, but I'm sure we can ask them if they'd alternate people so they could play constantly (and we do have Greek music that we want played, so they would be able to break for that).

caraellen23

Where is your reception?  I'm sorry, I can't remember.  But perhaps someone has had a wedding there with a band.

Beagle211

cara- it's at Talamore.  FI emaileld the coordinator to see if there's a size limit to a band.

caraellen23

Cool, hopefully that will help!  If they have their own sound guy, they can usually adjust to the space, sound-wise.  Keep in mind that a band that big will probably have to set up in front of the stage area, which will take away from the dancefloor most likely (if the stage is at the end of the dancefloor).

nicole8586

>>Keep in mind that a band that big will probably have to set up in front of the stage area, which will take away from the dancefloor most likely (if the stage is at the end of the dancefloor). <<

This would be a concern to me too.

CaitC21

Once I read your venue it helped me decide a lot.
I was going to try working a band into that space with a head table and they told me they coudln't fit both.
My band is around 10 pieces.

nicole8586

To add on, our band was 11 pieces (4 horns) and they are powerful! I think anything more could be too over powering for a wedding.