Q Branch Archive for posts tagged ‘wedding music’
How do you Choose a Party Band for your event?
It’s a minefield isn’t it?
You’ve been asked to arrange entertainment for the corporate awards, corporate party, works party, friends birthday party celebrations etc and you have to book a live band. Where on earth do you start?
Most people look to the internet first and will do a search for party bands, live bands, live music, wedding music, music for parties and so on, the list of search engines is endless. This then throws up a list of local party bands in the area to choose from as well as the sponsored adverts which often take top billing in the hope you will book the first band that you see.
Once you follow the link and go on the website each one will have information and links to performances as well as a set list of songs played. It’s easy to be overwhelmed and it’s easy to think that the video you just watched is how the band are live.
What you need to remember is that a lot of the videos you are waching have been recorded in a studio or in a “fake gig” situation so that the band look like they are playing in front of a live audience. The videos then look great and sound awesome – but that’s because the musicians have spent a couple of days in a recording studio, then a day on the video recording and a sound engineer has then mixed the whole lot together and created a promotional video for the band to use on their website.
So the video online looks great, it sounds great and you want to book them! But wait just for a minute…. have a think about this before you book and ask yourself “What do they sound like live?”. After all, they will be playing live at your event and they won’t have the advantages available that a recording studio presents – if they sing or play a wrong note they can’t go back and do it again and again until it’s right. They won’t have the same sound either – they will have their own PA system which may not be as high quality or as big as it needs to be for your event so the sound on the night may not be quite what you were expecting.
You should also be aware that a lot of bands still rely on backing tracks – so a 3-4 piece band may use a “click track with backing sounds” so there will be a computer version or keyboard version of a brass section playing to fill out the sound you hear – it’s not live at all but you get all the instruments playing. Basically the band are playing along to a backing track – some even use the original CD recordings and remove certain instruments and play along to that. Of course, if budget is a problem then this is the way forward for you. However, if you are looking for the wow factor then definitely book a band that only plays 100% live for your event.
So you think you’ve found your band and you are thinking about booking. Before you book ask to see live videos of the band playing in front of an audience, go and see them at an event or ask to come along to a rehearsal where you can see/listen to the band yourself first and ask lots of questions.
Entertainment is often overlooked – you need a band that is experienced and can adapt to the audience, that are professional and interactive, with a stonking set list guaranteed to get your guests up and dancing and entertained. Please don’t skimp on this part of the evening – it can make or break your event. At the end of the night you want your guests to have had an amazing night and one to remember – but for all the right reasons – and the entertainment and music on the night can add great value.
Doctor Chocolate are a 9 piece party / function band. Made up of 9 musicians that have one aim in mind and that is for your event to go brilliantly. Doctor Chocolate have a high quality PA system and stage lighting. In addition we have our own sound engineer that mixes our sound throughout the evening to ensure it fits with the venue, the audience and the sound is 100% clear. Doctor Chocolate only every play 100% live – there are no backing tracks or click tracks involved – just 9 musicians who are extremely good at what they do. The sets are non-stop and high-energy packed with songs that will appeal to all the guests attending and guaranteed to get feet tapping and bodies up on the dance floor having a great time.
All our videos are 100% live and recorded at events so the sound you hear is the sound and high performance standard that you expect and deserve! There are no squealing speakers that can’t cope with the sound, there’s no heavy bass or crackling as our system is high quality and suitable for venues with up to 500 guests. The sound engineer ensures that we fit within sound limiter levels and the sound on the dance floor is exactly right and balanced throughout the night. The performance is interactive and full of fun and a great sounding band.
So with our online videos there is no studio editing or chance to re record bits that go wrong – just snippets of songs that are performed 100% live. Doctor Chocolate don’t play for many pub gigs – we mainly focus on the wedding circuit and the corporate market where high standards are required and we deliver on that and ensure that those events are professionally managed. So we can’t invite you along to listen to us unless the event is ticketed and open to the public. However, we have regular rehearsals and you are more than welcome to come along and listen to the band and meet everyone to see if we suit your event.
So be careful when booking online – you need to ask questions like this:
Will the band be playing 100% live or using backing tracks?
Are there any live videos of the band playing that we can see?
Do the band members play together all the time or are they booked individually for the night?
Do they have a quality PA System that is suitable for our size venue and event?
Is there a member of the band we can talk to in advance of the booking to run through the requirements?
Will there be a band member available on the night to speak to if plans/timings change?
Do they have a sound engineer to ensure the sound is right all night?
Can we see the band before we book them?
Is there VAT to be added to the fee?
Be sure that when you book Doctor Chocolate you are receiving the highest quality care and attention throughout your booking and that a member of the team will guide you through the whole process. Also guaranteed is a 100% live professional and high quality performance – guaranteed to give you and your guests a really top night out!
Are you getting engaged this Christmas or New Year?
It’s Chrissssstmaaaassss!
That was written in my best Noddy Holder voice too!
Well, aside from all the Christmas shenanigans that are happening all over the UK this is the time of year, this is the time when we see lots of lovely people feeling the love and popping the all important question to their partners – the big “Will you?” question.
It’s easy to see why this is the perfect time for popping the question as there is lots of mistletoe hanging everywhere, corks are popping and bubbles overflowing, families get together to celebrate and the warm fuzzy feeling sets in meaning it’s a perfect time to ask!
Doctor Chocolate are a 9 piece party band and we have had the pleasure of playing for engagement parties and weddings all over the UK and abroad.
If you are looking for a long engagement but want to have a massive celebratory party then get in contact for a quote – Doctor Chocolate will bring the party and all the equipment so that you have a fantastic night of celebrating with your friends and family.
If you are planning a short engagement and are looking to book quality entertainment for your wedding day then we can certainly help there too!
Whatever your needs – we guarantee that you are booking one of the best bands in the South West and you will have non-stop, high-energy sets for your celebrations – we bring all the equipment, lighting, PA system and definitely bring along the party!
Who are Doctor Chocolate? Well, we are a 9 piece party band consisting of male and female lead vocals, drums, keys, bass guitar, lead guitar and 3 piece horn section of trumpet, saxophone and bass trombone.
We perform for two hours (2 x 1 hour sets) with a short break inbetween. The sets are full of non stop party hits – a really great mix of songs from the past 6 decades with a Doctor Chocolate twist to them. When the band are not playing we have recorded music to ensure you have music all night long. The band are interactive and fun with a front man who will guide your guests through the evening and get everyone involved.
So congratulations on the engagement!
Now we need to sort out the party! Contact us today by phone on 0796 7709018 or email sarah@doctorchocolate.co.uk or via our facebook page Doctor Chocolate.
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
Booking a Band for your Wedding
There are lots of bands to choose from when it comes to wedding entertainment/music and searching for the right band for your wedding can be a bit of a minefield. You will no doubt end up spending hours looking on line for a band and still be none the wiser after hours of searching. Visit our main website!
Added to the fact that weddings are expensive you may not want to “splash out” on a live band and only have a small budget available which will be restricting your choice. However, it is worth considering that the next biggest item that will be on view to your guests on the day of your wedding (after the venue, bridal dress, ceremony and reception) will be the evenings entertainment.
Bearing this in mind, it is worth spending a little extra on a live band for your evening celebrations, especially as there isn’t anything that can compete with a lively, interactive, professional, experienced and reliable band that really know how to get your guests involved in your wedding celebrations! You will have a fantastic time! Your guests will have a great night! Your wedding will be the talking point for weeks, months and years afterwards!
As Doctor Chocolate are a 9-piece (10 including our sound engineer) the price for the band isn’t going to appeal to those with a small budget available. However, the cost for the band isn’t huge either or unrealistic either and we work really hard to keep our costs to the absolute minimum so the savings can be passed back to you.
Sometimes hiring a cheaper band who are not as experienced or reliable can fit your budget better but in the long run turn out to be more expensive – as they may not play as well on the night, they may not actually turn up or they may arrive with equipment that just isn’t up to the job and sounds awful. If you’ve seen a band in a pub, they may sound great and look as if they would suit your event, but your wedding day will have a mix of generations attending, may turn up and play in jeans and a t-shirt and may not actually know how to interact with your guests.
Doctor Chocolate are not expensive by any means – the band are actually the same price as some 4-5 piece bands on the circuit – but… we are extremely good at what we do and we really know how to get any crowd on the dance floor and having a great night! As professionals we also turn up on time, set up and sound check on time, are respectful and polite to the venue, staff, guests etc and we always give 100% every performance and our only aim is ensuring you and your guests have an amazing evening.
Doctor Chocolate are an established, experienced, professional, reliable and lively 9-piece band with an excellent reputation. We only ever perform as a 9-piece band – and we have our own sound engineer making 10 of us in total. By only ever performing as a 9-piece we can ensure our performance is always the very best it can be. All songs are performed with the same musicians ensuring a tight and professional performance.
Don’t take our word for it – you can see some of our 100% LIVE videos on our website – these were not recorded in a controlled studio with sound engineer and gizmos – the videos were recorded 100% live whilst we were performing for a charity event in November 2013. On some of the videos you can even see some of the guests bopping about in front of the stage having a fab time!
Doctor Chocolate – cover, wedding, party band come with an excellent PA system – a QSC, that is clear and has a warm and vibrant sound but we also come with our own experienced sound engineer – you’ll see him at the back of the room tweaking and twisting different knobs on the desk or adjusting levels via his ipad! This ensures our sound is great all night long and keeps us within any sound limiters or noise restrictions there may be at the venue.
Doctor Chocolate also come with our own stage lighting. We have two par bars on either side of the stage (4 LED lights on each side), four colour flood lights on top of the speakers facing the stage and four scanners around either the drum kit or from our lighting frame at the rear of the stage. Where venues permit, we also bring along our smoke machine.
Whatever the occasion, wherever the event – you can be sure that if you book Doctor Chocolate for your wedding – we will be an awesome addition to your event and give the WOW factor with lots of audience interaction, stage movement and crowd pleasing hit songs from the 1960’s to present day chart hits!
Give us a call! Contact us by email! Check out our Facebook Page! See the website for reviews and latest news!
Wedding Band at Forde Abbey
Wow! What a venue. Party, covers and wedding band Doctor Chocolate had the pleasure of playing here at the weekend and it is simply stunning for weddings!
Beautiful grounds, beautiful building and lovely staff! It was an absolute pleasure to perform here!
If you have a wedding, party or celebration of any kind coming up then you need Doctor Chocolate! We are a fantastic band based in the South West of England and are available for any and all events.
We play music for all generations from all generations. With music from the sixties to present day chart hits there will be something we play that you just HAVE to get on the dance floor and boogie along with. If you are looking for a covers band, a party band, a wedding band, a corporate band, a charity fundraising band then you need Doctor Chocolate! We have many years experience of performing for all types of events and celebrations and we know how to interact with different crowds and age groups.
So whatever event you are planning – get in contact for a free, no obligation, fully inclusive and highly competitive quote today! We’d love to hear from you.
Find Doctor Chocolate on Facebook too!
Some recent thank yous from our awesome clients
Caroline, Wedding 2013: “I just wanted to say a very big thank you to Doctor Chocolate for your wonderful performance last night. Throughout the evening and continuing today guests have been saying how much they liked you and how good they thought Doctor Chocolate were. Your performance was the icing on the cake, as far as my husband is concerned. I will certainly be recommending you to everyone I know”.
Phil, Birthday party 2013: “Can I just thank you for making our celebrations so outstanding and memorable last night. You are an amazing live band and we loved every single second of your music and company. Everyone was raving about you! Thank you!”
Sam, Wedding 2013: “Thanks guys! Amazing playing and such a professional set”
Emily’s mum, Wedding 2013: “Amazing band! Thank you from the brides mum for making the evening so special. We will be recommending you to all our friends.”
Doctor Chocolate – live 9-piece wedding and party band! Visit our website to see and hear our 100% live videos, more information, testimonials and to get in contact!
Bristol Wedding Band
Weddings are the best! Weddings are also one of Doctor Chocolate’s specialities! We are always asked to perform at weddings and we love them! Based in and around the South West, members of the band will travel all over the UK and arrive in good time to set up and sound check prior to any wedding.
From the moment you contact us we will be with you every step of the way. Doctor Chocolate can help you with your timings for the day so that we can fit in with your evening but also advise you on the length of time that we perform and the best times for the sets! Doctor Chocolate play for two x one hour sets and can work alongside any other entertainment that you have arranged.
We have our own stage and dance floor lighting and have the BEST sound equipment so that we always sound amazing! With our own sound engineer on hand we can also work within the constraints of the size of the venue too.
With over 25 years experience of performing at weddings – and we’ve done more than a few in that time! – we know how unique and special your event is! Evening entertainment is a big part of your wedding and we can certainly show your guests how to work that dance floor!
Check our our 100% LIVE videos on the website – these were all recorded at a charity event – there’s no studio trickery/miming here – watch and listen to the band – if you can’t come and see us performing live this is the next best thing!
Romance is in the Air
Heard of Jennifer Lawrence? Star of the Hunger Games, American Hustle and X-Men? Rumours are swirling that Jennifer Lawrence is now engaged to Nicholas Hoult who she met whilst filming X-Men!
Having teenage children, and having several members of the band go and watch American Hustle (note that not one single bra is worn in the whole of the film!), then we are all very aware of this young and rather beautiful Hollywood actress.
Christmas, New Year and Valentines Day are all close together and are considered to be the times of year when most marriage proposals are made!
Doctor Chocolate are currently receiving a high volume of enquiries from couples who have recently got engaged and are looking to book a fantastic, experienced and lively 9-piece wedding band.
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.
Book a Wedding Band
Doctor Chocolate are the ultimate in wedding bands. The band has an excellent reputation in the South West as a reliable, fun, professional band and the majority of our bookings come from recommendations by previous clients! Doctor Chocolate have been rocking out weddings in the South West and all over the UK for over 20 years.
It’s always a pleasure to be asked to be part of someone’s big day and we know that a lot of work has gone into each and every detail for weddings to make it a truly memorable occasion. The evening’s entertainment is an essential part of the day and is a time for the bridal couple and guests to really have a great time and dance the night away. Our sets are designed to keep everyone on the dance floor from the age of 2 up to 92! So if you are looking for a live band for your event then please get in contact for more information and a quote for the evening. Doctor Chocolate are a fantastic wedding band and will give your guests a night to remember!
Don’t take our word for it though – see our Facebook page to view pictures that our clients have sent through of their weddings, parties, celebrations, charity nights or visit our website for testimonials.
The picture is of a wedding “dance-off” between the ladies and the gentlemen! One of the guests thought Sarah’s hair could do with a bit of restyling – we think she looks like one of those dish-washing utensils! Needless to say the girls won the dance-off!