PHOTOGRAPHY | Aaron Delesie

Types of Bands

That’s right, there are several different types of bands, and we’re not talking genres.

1. Independent Wedding Band

This is what usually comes to mind when we think “band”. According to Jonathan, it is “owned by a single bandleader and offers their band with a dedicated member lineup”. This means what you see is what you get. Most bands have videos of them performing on their website that you can watch ahead of time to make sure that your styles are compatible. Because you or your planner are working directly with the bandleader, you may get more one-on-one service and customization. Something to keep in mind when hiring an independent wedding band is that they may or may not have their own lighting and sound equipment. If they don’t this will be an additional cost and you will need to coordinate with another rental company to acquire all of the necessary equipment.

2. Staffing Agency Band

This type of band is more like an organization of musicians that operate under a united band name. Jonathan explains, that these bands book “multiple events on the same day... then staff events from a call-list, based on how busy they are on the day.” This means that the band members that you saw perform in any previews may or may not be the band members that arrive to perform on your wedding day. Another plus is that this is often the most affordable way to hire a live band for your big day.