How long in advance should you book a band?

soon2Bmrs

Hi,

Im just wondering how long in advance do you need to book your wedding band?

sweetie

soon2Bmrs wrote: »

Hi,

Im just wondering how long in advance do you need to book your wedding band?

generally you will find that the better more popular bands are booked sooner and sometimes upto a year or two in advance. Saying that, the recession has meant that people are leaving it later to book bands and djs as people are unsure what their financial situation may be a year or 18 months down the line.

soon2Bmrs

Well my wedding is in August 2011 so I have 11 months. Should I be booking a band soon?

aviendha

if you have a particular preference, then it's never too soon, especially if trying to book during the summer may-august, and even moreseo if a weekend date (fri/sat).

We booked our band 9 months in advance for a Saturday wedding in June, and found that 8 bands on our list had been booked out, before we were recommended our final band. Worked out in the end, as they far exceeded our expectations, but there were a few weeks of stress beforehand that could've been avoided if we had gotten our act together in advance.

If you're booking a Wednesday in November, it would be far easier.
Best of luck:)

clint_silver

soon2Bmrs wrote: »

Well my wedding is in August 2011 so I have 11 months. Should I be booking a band soon?

Hiya, summer saturdays go 12-18 months (and sometimes more) in advance for popular bands. Saturday nights first. then fridays. then the rest. The earlier you start looking the better choice youll have rather then just taking whoevers left.

As above poster says, 8 bands were already booked but the last one worked out.

Always post the specific date and venue (or at least the area/county) when enquiring.

smelltheglove

As above, you may get lucky that the band you want is free that night but for 11 months in advance it could be a different story. The main wedding bands on the circuit could be booked 2 years in advance.

emma82

We're getting married in March 2011. Got engaged in June 2009. I tried to book our band (from Donegal) in August for March as they'd be very popular in our area- but they refused to take a booking until Jan 2010. The guy said too much could happen in 18mths & he couldn't risk it (??!) We rang on 2nd Jan & he'd already taken 7 calls that day for March & April weddings in 2011. Book as soon as you can!

wreckless

book ASAP. we are getting married in nov 2011 and booked our last month, got a discount too for early booking too.

plus bridezilla has gotten off my back now, for a while....:eek:

Shellygoose

our wedding is July 2012 and i have my band booked since Sept this year.

All we heard from ppl at wedding fairs &friends who are already married is that the 3 main things we needed to get sorted asap was the Church, Hotel and Band. They freaked me out a bit but it made me get my arse in motion. Because we made the booking for the band before the end of Sept we got the DJ for free. I also noticed a major difference in price between some bands...some upto E500 in the difference - thats a lot!! :eek:

soon2Bmrs

Oh crap..we are still looking

My OH is looking for a band with keyboard for a bit of variety..But my OH would be pretty slow at looking for bands

10 months left and im starting to panic

Shellygoose

Dont panic.....ask a few friends/work mates/even strangers for any recommendations, visit pubs where there are bands playing, ask your hotel if they would recommend any bands that have played there before (presuming you are having your reception in a hotel that is!) Ring around, make a few enquiries, or do it by email if its easier, at least that way you have quotes in writing. Set a "deadline" and tell your OH to get his arse into motion

stingray75

Hi Soon2BMRs,

It all depends on whether the band is free on the date or not, which is fairly obvious, so the earlier you contact a band, the better the chance of them being available...it also means that you can get a chance to see the band at a time more convenient for yourself before you book...

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056059114

irishejit

Where is the reception Soon2BMrs? My father played in bands for years and has a right few contacts of good wedding bands

Ahbegob

The time frame for booking a supplier can be reduced if you are not locked into premium dates such as Fri/Sat. You can also expect better deals. Tat said, Thursday is becoming more and more popular

Martin

toadfly

I am helping my sister organise her wedding for August 2011, she booked her band last month and all other bands I/she contacted were booked for her date (about 10 bands).

What area? If you are in the west I can recommend a few

ETA: just seen you are getting married in Wicklow, the band my sister went for was The Black Knights, they are expensive but no others were available. She hasnt seen them, only seen clips online so if it doesnt work out its on my shoulders! I was very impressed though. We went to see them in Portlaoise, they are based in Kildare area (I think).

Best of luck