The Magic of Live Music.
Music has the power to evoke emotions and set the tone for the most memorable moments of your life. At a wedding, live music can bring an unmatched level of elegance, sophistication, and energy that elevates the experience for everyone in attendance.
The Art of a Wedding Band for Your Luxury Wedding.
For the discerning bride and groom who seek to create a truly extraordinary wedding experience, a high-end wedding band is an essential component. These elite ensembles specialize in delivering exceptional live music performances at upscale weddings.
A Guide to the Cost of Wedding Bands in Massachusetts.
Whether you are planning an intimate beach wedding in Cape Cod, a grand celebration in Boston, a sophisticated soirée in Newport, or an exclusive affair in Nantucket, we aim to help you navigate the world of music bands for weddings and understand what it takes to secure the best wedding band in Boston.
Factors that Influence the Cost of a Wedding Band.
There are several factors that contribute to the cost of a wedding band, including the location of the wedding, the size of the band, the level of experience and professionalism of the musicians, and the length of performance time. In Massachusetts, the cost of a wedding band in the Boston area, Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Newport can be higher compared to other regions of the United States due to the higher cost of living and cultural demand for live music at weddings.
Average Cost of Wedding Bands in New England.
In New England, the average starting cost of a large / full size wedding band is between $12,000 to $18,000. This price range takes into account the various factors mentioned above, including the size of the band, level of experience and professionalism of the musicians, production, any additional lighting, package options, and the overall length of performance time.
If your wedding reception is on Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard or Block Island, your entertainment budget will likely increase to between $20,000 and $30,000. This is due to the additional time and travel requirements of getting on/off the island.
How to Determine a Budget for a Wedding Band.
When determining a budget for a wedding band, it's important to consider your overall wedding budget and priorities. A high-energy wedding band is often seen as a worthwhile investment in creating a truly exceptional wedding experience.
A good rule of thumb is to allocate approximately 15% of your total wedding budget towards live music. This can give you a starting point to work with as you explore the various options and prices available in the market.
Benefits of Live Music at Weddings.
Live music at a wedding can add an element of sophistication, elegance, and excitement to the celebration that recorded music simply cannot match. The energy and connection between the musicians and the guests creates an unforgettable atmosphere that can elevate the entire event to the next level.
The Impact of Live Music on the Atmosphere of a Wedding.
The presence of a live band can greatly enhance the ambiance and atmosphere of a wedding. The musical performance can set the tone for the evening, providing background music during dinner, dance music for guests to enjoy, and a memorable experience for everyone in attendance.
Personal Preference and Individual Factors to Consider.
Ultimately, the decision to include live music at a wedding comes down to personal preference and individual factors, such as budget and venue limitations. For high-end clientele, live music is often considered a must-have for their luxury wedding, elevating the entire celebration to the next level and providing guests with a truly unforgettable experience.
Average number of hours for a wedding band performance.
Wedding bands will quote and typically perform for either (4) or (5) Hours, depending whether or not a Cocktail Hour is included. Beyond that, consider you may have booked an extended (6) hour reception with your venue.
As a result, it's important to ask your band leader on their contracted time, and adjust/amend from there. That being said, most wedding reception timelines roughly follow the same pattern.
Scheduling and Timing for your Wedding Reception.
- 1 Hour for Cocktails.
- 90 Minutes for Dinner Hour, Speeches and Formalities such as Cake Cutting and Parent Dances.
- 2 to 3 Hour Dance Party (in detail, see below).
For the Dance Party itself, a band will usually perform 2 sets of about 60-75 minutes each, with a ~20-30 minute break in-between. Moreover, if you consider the average song length being 3-4 minutes, a band will be able to perform about ~40-50 songs during the dance party.
Different Styles and Approaches to a Wedding.
Some wedding bands have a set dedicated show they stick to. Whereas others will allow quite a bit of input into the song choices on the night. Ask prospective band leaders what their approach is. In fact, it's the most common question we're asked!
The Boston Common Band Method.
From our perspective, we take our client's song request list and build an initial roadmap of songs for the evening. Moreover doing our best to include as many of the songs as possible. That way, we still retain our ability to adapt on-the-fly to the crowd that's in front of us on the dance floor. If we feel that guests are enjoying more of the homecoming bangers, we may play a few more 90s/2000s songs before transitioning into a different genre.
If the band doesn't know the song on the request list, our DJ within our Band + DJ combo will work those songs into their set. Our goal is to make sure the energy level stays high, and the dance floor stays packed... all while still playing a good amount of songs in your favorite genres, to give the wedding "your" feel!
