{"id":12215,"date":"2012-03-26T01:00:34","date_gmt":"2012-03-26T08:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theweddingyentas.com\/?p=12215"},"modified":"2012-03-25T21:23:59","modified_gmt":"2012-03-26T04:23:59","slug":"from-the-expert-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.bryanfriedman.me\/yentas\/featured\/from-the-expert-2","title":{"rendered":"From The Expert: How To Hire A Wedding Band"},"content":{"rendered":"

Get your dancing shoes on and get inspired to start your search for your wedding band! Ken Arlen of Arlen Music<\/a> drops by today for Part I of a two-parter that’s all about learning the ins and outs of hiring a group to play live tunes for your big day. Ready to start shopping for your band? Read on to find out how to successfully and intelligently check off this important item on your to-do list!<\/em><\/p>\n

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As a bandleader, I can appreciate the tough decision each bride and groom face when deciding on the best entertainment for their wedding. We all know that a great band or orchestra can make or break a special event. Although every wedding I perform is different and unique, I believe my clients are looking for one universal result – they want a combination of elegance and fun, with fun being the operative word!<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want all of our guests on the dance floor celebrating with us all night!\u201d<\/p>\n

The experience of sharing this day with all of your friends and family is so powerful it is hard to put into words. I like to ask my couples, \u201cIf we are sitting here four weeks after your wedding, what had to happen for you to be completely thrilled with your celebration experience?\u201d This is how I tune into what will make their wedding special and unique. <\/p>\n

As I have grown my entertainment company over the years, I now have five bands that can deliver the above result. But my friends and clients often ask me, especially if my bands are not available, how do we decide? What process should we follow to find the best music for our wedding? <\/p>\n

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Here are six tips that I feel would be helpful:<\/p>\n

1. Understand the lingo — everyone wonders about the difference between a wedding band and orchestra. A dance orchestra is a larger band, usually with multiple vocalists, a horn section, and a violin section. For example, my 15-piece Ken Arlen Orchestra has five rhythm, three horns, three violins, and four lead vocalists! <\/p>\n

2. Recognize that you have to find a band that plays not only the music you like, but also music that will be received well by all of your guests including your friends, your parents’ friends, and your grandparents. This requires a high level of versatility and an extensive repertoire. There is no reason why your band should not sound incredible in all styles. No compromise!<\/p>\n

3. Start by getting referrals from your family, friends, and especially other professionals in the event industry. When you think about it, photographers are a great referral source since their primary job is to document the experience in the room. Just like your bandleader, you are hiring them to pay close attention to everything that is happening. Many photographers tell me they love working with Arlen Bands because the guests are more animated and have more fun, thus the images they capture are more interesting! <\/p>\n

4. Ask your venue for their referrals. Having a band that has experience performing at your venue and has a working relationship with the venue staff is a definite advantage.<\/p>\n

5. Keep in mind that you may have a favorite club band, but if they do not have experience performing at a wedding, I can guarantee that you will not be happy with the result. Leading a band at a wedding requires a specific skill that takes years of experience to develop. <\/p>\n

6. Look for a great bandleader. I often tell clients that great music is only half of what makes a wedding successful. The other half is the bandleader’s ability to read the crowd, customize the music to your desire, keep the pace of the evening as MC, and effortlessly implement a well conceived itinerary that flows from when the doors open to the end of the night!<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s assume after following the above advice you have your top bands lined up. Of course you will peruse their web site, but you need to take the time to meet with your prospective bandleader to make your best decision. <\/p>\n

Come back on Thursday to read up on Part II from Ken Arlen to read about qualities to look for and rapports to have when selecting your dream wedding band!<\/p>\n

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With over 25 years of experience and a stellar reputation with venues, wedding planners and past clients, Arlen Music has the knowledge, talent and resources to make your wedding reception one that you and your guests will never forget. The Arlen Music bands have ignited hundreds of wedding receptions with the unique Arlen Music style and contemporary music selection. Following the success of the Ken Arlen Orchestra, Arlen Music began offering additional bands in the KAO mold. Over the years, demand has led to more diverse offerings, ranging from traditional string quartets (perfect for ceremony music), and a variety of fabulous dinner entertainment such as a rock and roll violin show and Oh What A Night, a tribute to the hit Broadway musical Jersey Boys. Music plays a powerful role at your celebration. Make it memorable by contacting Arlen Music<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

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