Illinois-Chicago

Live Music Help

Hi Ladies!

I would love to have a live band/ orchestra at my reception but don't want to spend $$$ to do so. Does any one have any suggestions or recommendations that wouldn't make my FI and I go broke? 
Thank you!

Re: Live Music Help

  • Dan&MeredithDan&Meredith member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I second this post!  I know a previous post recommended Epanache but I've put off calling because I have a feeling they will still be out of our budget.  
  • edited December 2011
    What kind of an entertainment budget are you working with? Ive done some fair searching...
  • princessczprincesscz member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Fantasia was the most affordable band that I found when we were searching for our wedding.  They did an absolutely incredible job too.  They learned a first dance song for us and played it incredibly, and the dance floor was literally packed the whole night.
  • edited December 2011
    We're using a Klezmer/jazz band which is probably not what you were looking for. Another idea is to cut down on the time the band will be playing (say, only during dancing) and then have an IPOD or DJ for dinner and cocktail hour (since no one listens to music then anyway).

    FI and I are having a live band for the ceremony (something he really wanted) and cocktail hour and then a DJ for dinner and dancing later. The DJ took $100 off his cost because it was a shorter time and the band was cheaper than hiring them for only part of the night.

    Especially if you did the band for dancing only, you could definitely use an IPOD with a good speaker system for the cocktail hour and dinner and no one would know.
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  • avancinaavancina member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for your help ladies! I wanted to spend between $3000-$4000 but most band are starting at $7000. I think I am just looking for dinner and drinks and I'm still not set on using the band for dinner, but just a jazz trio instead? I am going to price some out and will let you know what I find. 
  • edited December 2011
    Try Fantasia...They are within that range. They also learned my song for our first dance!
  • AlannaFAlannaF member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I used BMR4. It's a jazz combo of 4, though they will play all styles.  I even asked them to learn an off-the-wall song for our entrance, and it sounded great.  Two of them played for cocktail hour (to save me some $) and then the whole band started up for dinner. I think their website is BMR4.com.
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