Hooper...
the ideal wedding band!
 Why?
Because their mix of raw talent, entertainment, diversity and
professionalism all make for a truly memorable evening. They
play totally live; from Sinatra to the Scissor Sisters, from
the Beatles to the Darkness, and back. (Requests a speciality!)
Hooper
will work closely with you and your venue to ensure your
wedding is a roaring success, as they appreciate just how
important your evening reception is.
Book
early to avoid disappointment!
Legal
Requirements:
The
band is fully insured for Public Liability (up to £2,000,000)
and all electrical equipment is currently PAT tested.
Most wedding venues insist on proof of this and we will send
copy certificates as and when required..
A
WORD OF ADVICE ON CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING BAND
For
many years wedding rituals have stayed the same, but the key
steps to finding the band for your reception have changed dramatically.
Today, most brides are finding the music for their wedding
on the Internet. Via the World Wide Web, you can now see and
hear bands from all over the UK play right in the privacy of
your own home. Starting with their web site, there are 5 key
steps to booking the right band for your special day.
Step
1: Evaluating Bands on the Internet
A good web site can give you a lot of information
right away. If you are planning a 'country wedding', and the
band photo shows the group dressed in cowboy hats, you may have
found the perfect band. However, most brides and grooms are looking
for a group that can play a variety of music. Your guests may
range in age from 8 to 80, and a band that can play Big Band
Swing, Motown, Rock and Top 40 is sure to keep the dance floor
full. Read through the band's on line song list. Does it include
songs from various genres? Do you see the music that you like
to hear?
Next, see if there are audio samples listed. Take a moment
and listen to them carefully. Go with your gut feeling. Do
you enjoy what you hear? Do you like the lead singer's voice?
Some bands have video samples listed, so go through them as
well. You will probably be able to narrow down your band search
dramatically after evaluating on line demos.
Once you have narrowed your search to a few possibilities,
contact the bands via phone or email. Most bands book 6-18
months in advance, so if you think you have found the band
of your dreams, don't hesitate to find out more information.
Step
2: What to Ask via Email or Telephone
The first question to ask is if the band
is available on your date. If they are, now is a good time to
get an idea of the band's pricing. Bands vary in size and price,
so find out all the information. For smaller, more intimate weddings
(60-150 guests) a smaller group is often appropriate. If you
are planning a larger wedding, (200 guests or more) you may be
interested in hiring a larger band. You want to make sure that
you can both love and afford the right band.
Ask
the bandleader how long the group has been playing together and
if there are any references from brides or other wedding professionals
available. Feel free to request a CD Demo and any other information
that the band can mail to you. You can then play the CD at home,
for friends or in your car and peruse the band's literature at
your leisure.
You should expect a reputable band to return your emails and
telephone calls within 24 hours. The bandleader should respond
to any of your concerns, and your business should be handled
in a professional and courteous manner.
Next, find out when the band will be playing in your area so
that you can see them perform live.
Step
3: See and Hear the Band Perform Live
Most bands have a calendar that includes
public appearances (i.e. clubs and restaurants). If not, you
may be able to peek into another wedding. Of course, make arrangements
with the bandleader first and make sure that this is okay before
showing up at a wedding.
While observing the band, you should like what you hear and
what you see. Is the band playing at a comfortable volume so
that the guests can converse comfortably? Is the dance floor
full? Can you imagine the band performing at your wedding?
When the band is on a break, be sure to introduce yourself
to the bandleader. Ask him or her any questions that you may
have, and then ask yourself if this is someone that you can
communicate with comfortably and have a good relationship with
during your wedding.
Step
4: Book the Band
Once you have decided on a band, hire them.
Nothing is worse than having your heart set on a band and finding
out that they are suddenly unavailable. The contract should include
the date, time, place of your reception, number of musicians
in the band as well as your name, address, telephone number and
any other contact information important to the event. The total
price for the band, the amount of your deposit and the balance
due should all be clearly stated. If you have any questions,
do not hesitate to ask.
Step
5: Plan in Advance
There is nothing more helpful than good planning. The more
details you can take care of in advance, the easier it will
be the day of your wedding. If you are undecided about your
first dance, ask the bandleader for suggestions. He or she
should have plenty of helpful ideas. If you have made arrangements
for the band to learn a special song, make sure to provide
them with a CD copy of the music and at least 6-8 weeks notice
so that they have plenty of time to learn your special song.
If there are certain preferences that you have, (i.e. you do
or don't want the band to play line dances, etc.) take the
time to write a note at the bottom of the band's song list
so that the leader can be aware of your choice. At the same
time, put a star next to songs that you particularly enjoy
so that you can be sure to hear your favorites.
Finally, feel confident knowing that you have hired a professional
and experienced wedding band to perform at your wedding. Enjoy
the music and have fun on your special day.
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