Q Branch Archive for posts tagged ‘hire a wedding band’
Wedding Music
Wedding music is such a personal choice and many couples don’t know where to start.
Working in the wedding industry we are often asked by couples What music do we choose for the wedding ceremony? Do we need a wedding music playlist? I want music for my wedding but need some wedding entertainment ideas? I want to choose the best wedding music but don’t know where to start?
Well, music is a personal choice but its also an extremely important part of any celebration.
The Wedding Ceremony – Church or Civil
If you are having a Church wedding ceremony then you’ll need to choose entrance music for the bride, hymns to sing during the service, music for signing the register and exit music.
ENTRY MUSIC
You can choose classical wedding music for your entry/exit or pick a song that means something to you – perhaps a song that was playing when you first met – as long as it’s also suitable for playing in a church!
You’ll need an organist to play the hymns for your service but the rest of the music can be played by a small band, solo vocalist with backing tracks, harpist or why not opt for an acoustic guitarist who would sound fantastic in a church acoustic.
You will need to choose hymns though – so pick hymns that are popular if you can. There’s nothing worse than choosing a hymn with a melody that nobody knows – they won’t sing along and the Vicar may feel a little vulnerable singing on their own!
Choose a entrance song that is beautiful, serene and gentle – this is the arrival of the bride after all. Be clear in your choice when you relay the song to the organist – if you want the theme tune for Robin Hood – stress that you want “Everything I do” by Bryan Adams not THE theme tune for the 50’s TV show – believe us – we’ve heard this one played before! You don’t want the bride galloping down the aisle to the wrong song!
If you are having a civil reception – then you have a wider choice of songs to play for your entrance, recessional and exit music – but you can’t have anything played that has a religious side to it – so no hymns or similar.
Here are a few suggestions for entrance music – a few classical and a few modern:
They Long To Be Close To You – Carpenters
Songbird – Eva Cassidy
Make You Feel My Love – Adele
Bella’s Lullaby – Twilight
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride) – Wagner
Clare de Lune – Claude Debussy
Canon in D
Nocturne – Chopin
You’ll need music for signing of the Register too. Something classical, emotive, wonderful lyrics and reflective music. If you are in a church then perhaps choose something classical or have a vocalist singing Ave Maria. If you are having a civil ceremony then you are likely to remain in the same room whilst you sign the register – so choose something romantic that sums the pair of you up.
After signing of the register it’s time to leave the venue as a married couple. This will be your first song you hear after the official side of the ceremony so pick something that is lively, fun and has amazing lyrics.
Here are a few exit suggestions:
Signed, Sealed Delivered I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder
Now That We’ve Found Love – Heavy D & The Boys
Better Together – Jack Johnson
Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
From This Moment On – Shania Twaine
Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Lion King
After the formalities are over it’s time for the Wedding Reception.
Lots of wedding entertainment ideas here! Perhaps a steel band in the garden for a drinks reception, or a jazz trio, easy listening band? A harpist is always popular or for something a little different a brass quintet! There’s also singing waiters which seem to be a popular addition these days – choose wisely though – there are some that should really stick to waiting on tables rather than singing! Go by recommendation or ask to see videos of them in action to make sure you hire the best ones!
Although Doctor Chocolate are a 9piece band we can also provide music for your wedding reception earlier in the day if required by scaling down to a 3/4 piece playing easy listening and soft jazz classics such as Fly Me To The Moon, Zing Went the Strings, Autumn Leaves, My Funny Valentine, Besame Mucho, Dream a Little Dream and lots of other hits by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Andy Williams and all the other great crooners!Lots of ideas here for reception music.
The Evening Party
This is where your imagination can run and run! You need to pick your evening entertainment based on your guests! You may both absolutely love hard core Jazz, House Music, A Michael Buble tribute etc. These are great for adding atmosphere to the evening and be exactly what you as a couple are totally into and you’ll love it! Remember however that you are inviting guests along to the evening to celebrate with you and they will be of mixed age groups. Remember also that not all your guests will also love extreme jazz – not everyone will be into hard house music – and a Michael Buble tribute may be excellent but you can’t dance along to it! If your guests are not entertained or if they have their ears bashed with hard core jazz or house music – you’ll find they will start to leave the wedding venue early. If budget is no option then book a tribute for part of the evening and get a live band in playing covers for the remainder of the evening.
If budget is a problem and you can’t afford to have lots of different entertainment – then we would recommend going for a party covers band who will play music that your whole wedding party will enjoy, dance and get involved with. They will know the songs played, they can sing and dance along, they will have a great night dancing no matter what age group they are and most importantly everyone will have a brilliant evening.
Doctor Chocolate are a fantastic party covers band and we are experienced at celebrations where there is a mix in age groups and musical tastes. The key is bringing everyone together to have a great night and help you celebrate one of the biggest nights of your lives!
The First Dance
This is definitely one that is super-personal. It needs to be a song that you both love, that means something to you both. Perhaps the song that was playing when you first met, had your first date, came on the radio when you had a special evening, was your holiday song or is just something a little different or it has lyrics in that just touch the very heart of you and sums up your relationship perfectly. Remember you also have to dance to it in front of your guests so pick a song that you are comfortable with. If you can’t dance – pick a song where you just have to shuffle together and hold each other, encourage your guests to join you on the dance floor after the first 20 bars of the song. If you can dance – pick something where you can bust out some moves and impress everyone with your dance prowess!
Moon River – Frank Sinatra
The Way You Look Tonight – Tony Bennett
All Of Me Loves All Of You – John Legend
Use Somebody – Kings Of Leon
Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
1000 years – Christina Perry
Falling In Love with You Again – Imelda May
Better Together – Jack Johnson
For Once In My Life – Stevie Wonder
Read more articles on Wedding entertainment here:
Wedding Entrance Music
Wedding Recessional Music
Wedding Exit Music
Wedding Receptions – Music
Wedding Music – First Dance
Wedding Evening Celebrations
DJ V Wedding Band
Should you hire a live band or should you book a DJ for your event?
Well it’s all down to personal taste.
But, as with everything in life, there are good and bad DJ’s and there are good and bad bands out there! Of course there are also BRILLIANT bands out there and Doctor Chocolate are one of them!
How do you choose what is right for your event?
BUDGET
Although hiring a live band can cost more – it is definitely worth the investment! A solo performer (usually playing/singing along to backing tracks) can cost anything from £300 plus – we’ve worked with some who charge £850! A live band can be anywhere between £500 – £4000. The cost of the band will depend on the size, how many band members they have, if they have their own equipment or need to hire it in, and how experienced they are. A band just starting out will be cheaper as they haven’t built a reputation and may not be reliable – their experience may be performing in pubs. Doctor Chocolate are not expensive by any means – we work really hard to keep our costs to the absolute minimum so we can pass the savings back to you – but we are not cheap either so you won’t be able to book the band for £500! There are 10 members of the band in Doctor Chocolate (9 musicians and 1 sound engineer). Remember – you may think it’s expensive to hire a professional – but wait until you hire an amateur! This may be the only time you have a spectacular event in your lifetime – make sure you book the right entertainment.
A Great DJ can cost between £500-£1200 for the evening – again depending on the quality of equipment they bring, lighting and how good they are! Other DJs can cost between £150-£300. Please go and see them in advance to make sure they suit your event – and remember you get what you pay for!
Contact Doctor Chocolate to find out how much we will cost you for your event. We will ask you some questions so that we can give you a full and inclusive quote: What date do you want? What time do you want the band to arrive and finish? Where are your having your event? Do you want an early set up or a late finish? From this we can give you a fully inclusive quote. We promise you will be pleasantly surprised as we are excellent value for a 9 piece band and sound engineer – making 10 people in total. Each and every member of the band are enthusiastic and experienced. Our only aim is to provide the best entertainment for your event. In addition we are fully self contained – with our own pa, lighting, pat tested equipment and public liability insurance as standard!
SONG CHOICE
If you want your guests to be able to request songs to be played all night long – then go for a DJ. They will have (hopefully) thousands of songs available on their laptop that they can play for you.
If however you want a live band that can appeal to every generation that attends your wedding, you want the WOW factor, want a band that has a set list that is tried and tested and updated regularly so only the best music from the 1960’s to present day chart numbers are played by a skilled and experienced live band – then go for a live band every time. You can’t beat it for atmosphere and interaction. Doctor Chocolate are the perfect party band for any occasion.
A band can perform any number of songs but be wary of bands that only have a playlist of about 30 numbers on their entire set list. They may not be able to adapt to different crowds and musical tastes. But also be very wary of bands who have list after list after list of songs on their website – can they really play them all? More importantly, can they really play them all well or will it sound like a rehearsal band on the night as they try to cram in as many songs as you’ve requested into the set?
Doctor Chocolate have an extensive list of songs in our set that work well for weddings, corporate events, charity fundraisers etc. Our sets are changed and rehearsed regularly to keep them fresh and new and to ensure that the songs are always played as close to the original – but with a Choccie twist! However, band members choose the numbers in the set. From experience we know what songs work well and what songs don’t work so well for mixed audiences and celebrations. Depending on the event and the type of crowd attending – we will change our sets accordingly. Be assured the sets will be rocking and the dance floor jammed!
ATMOSPHERE
There are some good DJs and we’ve come across some awful DJs. Your DJ should be able to get the crowd going and be interactive and clear when they speak – not mumble into the microphone or be really cheesey! They need to build the atmosphere for your event. Playing record after record is easy but you need them to be able to talk to your guests and encourage them if needed. In addition, make sure their equipment is good enough for the size of your venue.
Doctor Chocolate are excellent at interacting with any crowd and different generations. We know how important the atmosphere can be and our dance-floors are always jammed with guests from the moment we start until the moment we end! Doctor Chocolate bring along our PA system and lighting. Our sound is clear and full – our PA system is top of the range. If you have a larger venue – mention it at the time of booking as we can extend our PA system and hire in some more to ensure the equipment is exactly right for the venue.
Doctor Chocolate interact with your guests. It’s not us on stage and your guests on the dance floor. We have one common aim! We want your event to be THE BEST night! So we interact with your guests, we talk to them and involve them in what we are doing. That way, everyone has an amazing evening.
EXPERIENCED & RELIABLE
If you go for a DJ choose one who has experience! Try to avoid any that don’t bring along a PA system but require you to hire one in, and avoid any that don’t have their own lighting systems – you’ll have to hire these in addition. Get referrals if you can from previous clients.
The same applies to hiring a live band. Choose a band that is experienced in the type of event you are organising. Having the wrong type of band perform at your event can be disastrous. You may love to have a Michael Buble tribute or James Bond Tribute Band. This is great and can add atmosphere to your event but make sure that they also offer a party set as well as your guests will want some variety and want to party later in the evening! We can certainly recommend The Name Is Band – Bond Tribute Band – perfect for James Bond Themed parties and events – performing an hour set of Bond themes and a fantastic party set later in the evening.
Doctor Chocolate have over 25 years experience at performing for all types of events. In all that time we have NEVER let a client down – ever! Our reputation is excellent and over 80% of our work comes through recommendation or people who have seen/heard us before.
To be honest – NOTHING can compare to a live band that is experienced, fun, interactive, sound great, look great and appeal to every generation attending your event! LIVE MUSIC RULES!
Can I see the Band before I book?
Doctor Chocolate have had a very busy summer bursting with some amazing weddings, parties, celebrations, proms, officers mess events and festivals! Visit our Main Website here!
Doctor Chocolate receive requests from clients who are asking about booking the band for their wedding, party or corporate event as booking a band for such an important occasion can be a minefield. There are lots of bands on the circuit and not all of them are great! As we are always out working some fantastic private events it means we don’t have the chance to play for many open events where people can just pop along and see/hear the band.
If you are booking a band for your event you should really go and see them live first – to get a feel of whether they suit your event and theme. You need to be sure they are experienced, reliable, professional, adaptable and most of all – they know how to interact with the guests you have attending for your event! Thankfully Doctor Chocolate are all these things!
Websites can look great! Recordings can sound amazing! But you need to know that the band you are booking are just as good live. Doctor Chocolate have uploaded 22 videos to our website – they were not recorded in a studio, they were not filmed under studio conditions! Any band can walk into a studio and record their performance. They often sound great as the sound engineer who works in the studio can work miracles! Hear them live – that’s a different story altogether!
Doctor Chocolate’s videos on our website were recorded whilst we were playing for 200 people at a charity event in November 2013. If you look you’ll see some guests on the dance floor busting out some moves! The videos and recording are 100% live – we don’t need to go into a studio to look or sound good – we ARE good! See for yourself by watching our videos on the website!
As Doctor Chocolate are out most weekends performing for weddings, celebrations, parties, corporate events and everything inbetween, we don’t get the opportunity to play at open events very often. When we do we publish the information on our Facebook page – join us on Facebook and find out all the latest news and information first! Check out the events page on Facebook and come along to see the band – we do about 4-5 open events a year. Sadly it’s not possible to come along to a wedding to see us – but at least you’ll be assured we won’t bring anyone along to your private event!
Wedding Venues
Doctor Chocolate have been performing for 25 years. We are an experienced and entertaining live band and have performed at thousands of weddings, charity event, parties, school proms, college university balls, military events and celebrations over the years.
This means that we’ve played at some amazing venues all over the UK and the South West as well as internationally! From private houses, hotels, country houses, village halls and military establishments – you name it – we’ve probably played in something similar previously.
This experience gives us a real insight in what makes a good reception venue.
Having worked with private clients, corporate agents, agencies, wedding coordinators, Events Managers and venues the length and breadth of the country we also know what the client wants and what the venues expect and we work really hard to make sure everyone is happy!
Here are a few things to consider when you are looking at venues
ACCESS
How easy is the venue to access? Doctor Chocolate have arrived at venues and been able to park right outside the room we are due to perform in. This is lovely and speeds up the set up of all the equipment but it’s not always quite so easy! Other venues are not quite so easy and we’ve had to climb 3-4 flights of stairs, navigate narrow corridors or wade through 8″ of mud to set up in a marquee. This could delay the allocated time for setting up all the equipment and may mean a later start than planned in the evening. Thankfully with 10 people in Doctor Chocolate (9 band members and 1 sound engineer) we can set up super fast but please do consider the access for entertainment when you are looking at venues and advise the band if there are any difficulties.
WEDDING RECEPTION
Another point to consider when booking a live band is the amount of time they need to set up. Doctor Chocolate have this down to a fine art but we do have an awful lot of equipment so always recommend a minimum of 90 minutes in case of any problems at the venue. Our PA is top of the range and there are 9 of us in the band plus a sound engineer, lighting and instruments, so a fair bit of space is needed. If you are having your wedding breakfast/wedding reception in the same room as the band you may want to consider a couple of options: is there enough space for the band to set up and seat all your guests? Do you want the band to set up earlier in the daytime before anyone arrives? Can the band set up after the wedding breakfast/reception allowing your guests to move out of the room and allow the venue and the band time to crack on with the entertainment? Is there another room or outdoor space for your guests to move into whilst the set up is carried out? Any problems then please just ask – we’ve lots of experience and can help you with the schedule for the day/evening.
BAR
Parties work best if the bar is located in the same room as the entertainment. Although the band can still be heard, down the corridor and around the corner, down a flight of stairs etc, having everything in the same room or as near as possible makes for a better atmosphere! Don’t worry though – Doctor Chocolate are an interactive band and with most of the band members on wire-free microphones we will go and get guests and bring them back through to the dance floor if they spend too long at the bar! It’s not a problem for our band but can limit other bands who may not quite as flexible, confident or experienced as well as their being restricted to the stage space.
NOISE LIMITERS
Many venues have had a change of use to allow music and have had to install a sound limiter. Sometimes the sound limit set is really low so only suitable for acoustic performers (no speakers). We have, and we will continue to work at venues with a sound limiter installed but we would need to know the decibel level prior to confirming the event. Sometimes the noise limiter set at a venue is enough for us to be able to perform and still loud enough to create a great atmosphere for you. Our sound engineer keeps a close eye on the limit levels to make sure we don’t go over. Just check the decibel level allowed at the venue before you ring for a quote and we can advise you if it is within the limits we can work in. Sadly if we turn up on the night and a limiter is in place, if the band was not informed in advance, then we maybe unable to play. Find out more on our Frequently Asked Questions page on the website.
EVENING FOOD
If you are planning on feeding your guests in the evening then please do think about the timings and where they could fit well. Doctor Chocolate perform for two x one hour sets and we find guests are more likely to party a little later in the evening, especially when attending weddings as it gives guests time to catch up and have a natter with relatives and friends that they may not have seen for a while. A lot of venues insist on serving an evening buffet at 9:30pm – which is the ideal time for the band to get everyone going. If possible a better time to serve food is before the band start so at about 8:45pm or in the bands break at about 10:30pm. Doctor Chocolate would suggest sets starting at 9:30pm until 10:30pm and the buffet served at this time – bacon butties often go down really well at this time of the evening and keep the energy levels of your guests going – with our second set would start again at 11:00pm and finishing at midnight.
ROOM FOR THE BAND
The band need a bit of space to set up the equipment although Doctor Chocolate have squeezed into some really small spaces in the past. Ideally a 12′ x 15′ space is needed – with or without a stage – we’re not that fussy! Also, please consider where the band will go once everything has been set up – normally we require a room somewhere to get changed, leave our belongings whilst we are performing, and somewhere to sit before we go on and during the break. It doesn’t have to be fancy – a simple meeting room or a spare reception room would be great. With many marquee weddings a private room isn’t always available so we’ve had to change into stage outfits in the back of the van or mobile toilets – it’s not ideal – but we always adapt!
For more information on Doctor Chocolate please visit our website.
We’ve also got 25 videos that were recorded LIVE at a charity event in Weston. The videos are 100% live and give you the opportunity to see/hear the band before you book us if we haven’t got a public event where you can come along and heckle.
Follow us on Facebook to keep updated with our shenanigans and hear our latest news!
Contact us for a quote or more information on the band. We’d love to hear from you.
Unique Selling Points
Doctor Chocolate is a live 9-piece wedding and party band that specialises in playing for ANY event where a full-on party is needed.
We’ve performed at thousands of events all over the UK and we are a seasoned, highly professional live band guaranteed to make your event one to remember – and for all the right reasons!
The majority of the band use wireless microphones and have the freedom of movement. This means we have a unique USP (unique selling point) as we are not confined to the stage area. Our performance is lively, fun and interactive and we like to get involved with the guests at your event, including them in the evening from the moment we start performing to the very end of the evening. Guests have sent thank you notes through on our facebook page telling us that they were dancing and watching the bride dance with the band on stage only to find a trombone, trumpet or saxophone beside them.
So, if you want an experienced and lively band to perform for your event – get in contact! We’d love to hear from you!
Song List for Doctor Chocolate – Wedding & Party Band Bristol
Doctor Chocolate are often asked what songs we include in our sets. Well we have an extensive list of songs that we play and it’s hard to choose what we can cram into two hours so we only choose the best songs from the 1960’s through to current chart hits. Not all the songs we choose to play at weddings, charity events and corporate events have brass in the original recordings – but as we have an awesome brass section it would be criminal not to use them – so we adapt and change the songs to give them a big, round and full sound. You can be sure that we carefully pick our sets of floor filers and there is something for every generation in our sets. We always have a packed dance-floor – no matter what the occasion!
We are currently working on some new numbers for the sets to keep them fresh and funky and have a few rehearsals scheduled in for the month of February.
To give you an idea of some of the songs we do please see below. We have an extensive set available so not all the songs we perform are listed – just a selection. Where the song is highlighted please click on it to be taken to our website where you can see and hear the band perform the version of that song 100% live!
- Ain’t No Stopping Us Now -McFadden & Whitehead
- All Right Now – Christina Agueleria
- Baggy Trousers – Madness
- Beat It – Michael Jackson
- Believer– The Monkees
- Blame It On The Boogie – Michael Jackson
- CarWash – Rose Royce
- Celebration – Kool and the Gang
- Dancing in the Street – Martha and the Vandellas
- Dancing on the Ceiling – Lionel Richie
- Disco Inferno – The Trammps
- Does Your Mother Know– Abba
- Get Ready– The Temptations
- Gimmie Some Loving – Billy Ocean
- Higher and Higher – Jackie Wilson
- Hot Stuff – Donna Summer
- First My Last My Everything – Barry White
- I Don’t Feel Like Dancing – Scissor Sisters
- I Feel Good – James Brown
- I Wish – Stevie Wonder
- Inside Out – Imelda May
- It’s Not Unusual – Tom Jones
- La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin
- Last Train to Clarksville – Monkees
- Let Me Entertain You – Robbie Williams
- Lets Stick Together – Roxy Music
- Love Train – The O Jays
- Locked out of Heaven – Bruno Mars
- Mama Told Me Not To Come – Tom Jones
- Mercy – Duffy
- Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett
- 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton
- Nutbush – Tina Turner
- One Step Beyond – Madness
- Pencil Full of Lead – Paulo Nutini
- Proud Mary – Tina Turner
- Rolling in the Deep – Adele
- September – Earth Wind & Fire
- Shake Your Tail Feather – Ray Charles
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
- Smooth – Santana
- Soul Man – Sam and Dave
- Superstition – Stevie Wonder
- Think – Aretha Franklin
- Tiger Feet – Mud
- Valerie – Amy Winehouse
- Wake Me Up Before You Go Go- Wham
- Walking on Sunshine – KC and the Sunshine Band
- We Are Family – Sister Sledge
- You’re the One That I want – Grease
And so many more from all the decades: 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and present day chart busters!
Wedding Thank You
Doctor Chocolate love playing weddings! It is so rewarding to be part of such a special event. We are always really pleased to be asked to play at a wedding as it’s possibly the biggest event that could happen in a lifetime and it’s so important to get it right. Don’t take our word for it – here’s a testimonial from a very happy couple this year. For more testimonials on the band please visit our website.
Thank you so much for last night. It was amazing – and so many people commented on the fun an interactive nature of the set, thank you, thank you. A couple of people mentioned that they had tried to book you but you had been busy etc so we felt very lucky. Many thanks again, I was planning a low key day but you made it all the more amazing and many people stayed just to hear/see you!
I know Caroline has already replied but I want to reiterate what fun we had yesterday. Your band is fantastic and we all enjoyed ourselves muchly! Many thanks again, and please pass our thanks on to all the band.
Woodland Weddings
Doctor Chocolate have performed for weddings of all kinds – from the most formal down to the most relaxed. Woodland weddings are a popular choice for couples wanting a more relaxed, festival feel to their day and Doctor Chocolate love the laid-back feel to this type of wedding.
Although the weddings take place in a woodland setting the evening celebrations are often held elsewhere in venues of all kinds – from Tipis, Marquees, Village Halls, Outdoor Centres, Hotels and private homes. No matter what the location you can be assured that Doctor Chocolate have performed and set up in a similar situation somewhere else in the UK!
A wedding in the woodlands, with vintage-style dresses, suits and Wedding Wellies or Wedding Ugg boots are the order of the day – especially in the Autumn or Winter! Bridesmaids and ring-bearers are often the family pets invited along to join in with the day. Bunting, candles and tea lights in jam jars, fairy lights, rustic benches, vintage cloths all add to the festival and Olde English feel of the day.
Doctor Chocolate are a 9-piece band and are available to finish the day off and get all the guests dancing with our party sets. There’s something for everyone in the sets from the 1960’s right up to the 00’s! We can even offer a laid back swing style set earlier in the afternoon with a duo or 3 to 5 piece band playing easy listening standards during the drinks reception or meal if required. Just ask! Contact Doctor Chocolate for more information