Atlanta Business Daily

How do you become a band to play at weddings?

I have a band we created just to play at weddings and stuff. How exactly do I go about setting that up? Music style, getting hired, etc. Thanks!

Public Comments

1. just do it, i would put a ad on craigslist.org its free and see if anyone gives you a call.
2. be adam sandler (wedding singer)! lol! put an add in the news paper. put up fliers. tell people. put up signs. advertise!
3. No offense - I cannot tell from your question, because it is so short. Are you ADULTS - able to legally sign a contract, open a DBA, maintain a business checking account. etc? I own an agency north of NYC, and we provide small ensemble of classical musicians for weddings, parties, Viennese balls, etc. The MUSIC part is maybe ten percent of your concern - it is the BUSINESS part that is huge. Write back with more info - I will try to help more. Added - OK - I just checked your other questions, and apparently,you are about 14 years old. Most catering facilities will NOT hire people under the legal drinking age to play there. If they hire wait staff that is under 18, they KNOW these people (and they can make sure they do not handle liquor) - but for you to be in-and-out - not gonna happen. Now - you would be in competition with all the PROFESSIONAL groups that already have an enormous repertoire, great equipment, CONTACTS with all the venues and catering facilities, wedding planners, etc. I spend more in advertising in a year that what your band's total equipment is probably worth. I have owned this business since 1984. You might want to start by playing for dances, etc., for people nearer your own age. If you were NOT in this band - would you want to hear them for a dance? Did somebody just tell you that the Big Bucks in the music business is in wedding bands? You need to *pay your dues* - the old-school term for working your way UP, by playing all kinds of gigs. Many will be for short money - most will be for NO money. Heck, you cannot even DRIVE yourself to a gig yet! Who would hire a wedding band where *Daddy* has to drive you there??? So - this is a good goal for SEVERAL years from now. Remember - just because it is popular music, you WILL be competing eventually with people with DEGREES in popular, commercial, or digital music. Because of the economy, more and more people are hiring DJs for the dance portion of the day; we do ceremonies and cocktail hours mainly,, and have seen a HUGE downturn in business - many people are either cutting way back, or just not getting married - just living together. The ripest area for new work is in states that legalize gay marriage. Think this thru - how many years until you are *legal* in YOUR state? (And spare me "I know this guy, and his uncle owns this place where this band plays . . " - because if his UNCLE wants to assume the risk - fine - do YOU have an uncle that owns a venue, and will send you gigs? And would stake his business callbacks on you?)