XP- Strange band situation...sorry, post got a little long

csgman

The leader of the band for our wedding is a family friend of FI's.  He is playing at our wedding as a wedding gift (although we will still be "tipping" the other band members $1000, so it isn't entirely free).  One of the band member's daughter just announced last week that she will be getting married on our wedding date.  The family friend assured us they have a great player who can sub in, and it's not the lead singer or anything, so I'm confident the sub will be great.

Well, all of the band players want to attend this girl's ceremony, which is 1.5-2 hours away from our venue.  Her ceremony is at 4:30pm.  Our reception starts at 6pm.  The band leader thinks they can be at our venue by 7:30 or so.  Does this sound like a disaster waiting to happen?  If it was a random-hired vendor, and not a family friend, I would fire them in a heartbeat and hire someone who would be at our entire reception. 

What do I do?  Hire a DJ to MC the beginning of our reception/introduce us and the BP/play music during dinner?  Enlist a friend to do this duty?  

What would you do?  Any recommendations in the Detroit area for a cheap option if you think I should hire a DJ/MC? 

emarston1

To be honest, I would just get a DJ and scrap the band idea.  It sucks but I think that would be the least stressful option.  Not to mention the money you'll save in tips would pay for the DJ.  As far as DJ suggestions are concerned, check out the vendor sticky at the top of the board for ideas.

Our of curiousity, did you have any sort of contract with the band?

Suzette70

This is indeed a disaster waiting to happen.  Don't put yourself in that situation for family friends.  Get a DJ.
 
You don't need that kind of stress 

matuofm

Yeah, as much as it would be great to have a "free" band for your wedding...the fact is that you don't have a band, so you won't really be losing anything when you drop them.  You have a group of people who are going to a social event instead of a gig they agreed to do.  Sure, they intend to show up for your wedding - but they're coming when it's convenient to them, and the time they ARE willing to show up will only happen if nothing else gets in the way, slows them down, or crops up.

I'd say get a dj.  This is SO not worth the stress/potential disaster of trying to fit your wedding into their schedule.

Oh - AND - I didn't think to look at your wedding date before starting this response, but if it's a ways off, I'd be worried that somewhere down the line the girl is going to decide she wants her dad to play at her wedding and they're going to drop you altogether.

Jashley05

If it were me, I would hire a dj. I planned for the worst case scenario for everything to eliminate any stress the day of. You never know what could happen. We ended up being 2 hours late to our rehearsal because of traffic that was stopped for no reason. You just never know.

csgman

Thanks everyone!  FI was starting to make me feel like I was being all sorts of crazy for thinking about all the potential "what-if" disasters involved in this situation.  I really appreciate all the advice.

Emarston- No, we don't have a contract.  This family friend is close enough to FI's family that FI calls him "Uncle".  Would have never predicted this situation.  I guess the lessons are 1) always have a contract and 2) dont hire family/friends as wedding vendors!!

Milsey32

That straight up sucks, OP, I'm not gonna lie. 

I also learned those two valuable lessons - always have a contract and don't hire family/friends! 

Definitely find a DJ, best of luck!