How much does a band cost?

kapkap113

Hi -
I am looking for reception band...hopefully one that can play during ceremony and do a 2nd line parade. I have no idea what this would/should cost. Any insight or recs?

hughe046

A second line parade can be anywhere from about $750-$1250.  Then add on a thousand or two more for them to play your reception as the band.  I am not sure I have ever seen a second line band also play the reception since the second line music has is a little different than some reception music, they would have to also probably download songs and be able to play them for your dances, etc.

A wedding reception band is probably anywhere from $2k-$4k.
A DJ would be way less than that.

Good luck!!  Looks like you are in the planning mode!! 

mromag1

I have the tops cats and they are $4,000 for four hours.  

becker.amanda

A typical reception band will cost between $3K and $5K.

We had three bands during our wedding weekend: the Bucktown Allstars for 3 hours for $3500 (reception); Coolbone Brass Band for 1.5-2 hours for $1200 (ceremony music and a cocktail hour); and finally, Algiers Brass Band for a second line parade the night before our wedding and they charged $720.

Coolbone can do it all (ceremony, reception, and second line) and I think they do it for around $3500 total. We had booked the others before we found out about them. Hope that helps!

marleemiller

Amanda is right you can book Coolbone for your ceremony & reception & second line. We aren't doing a second line down the street.  We are not paying anywhere near $3500 for all of that (way less), but we are also getting married on a Sunday (I'm not sure if that affected their pricing).  Coolbone can play our first dance songs and the songs we want for our ceremony.  They are a brass band but have a huge song list.  We are playing more current music off of our iPod during the band breaks to break things up a bit.

steffibec

We were married two weeks ago in the French Quarter.  We had the Storyville Stompers as our Second Line Band.  They cost $795 and will put you in touch with the NOPD to secure a permit.  The permit costs $50.  Our wedding Band was Luv Sexy.  And they were wonderful!!!  They play a nice variety of music from Blues, Jazz, Top 40.  They cost $3500, but were worth it!