Top Questions to Ask Your Wedding Band Before You Book
Live music brings a wedding to life. It shapes the energy in the room, keeps your guests engaged, and turns big moments, like your first dance or reception entrance, into something unforgettable.
But when it comes to hiring a band, most couples don’t know what to ask. And that’s where the difference is made.
It’s not just about how good a group sounds on Instagram. You need to know who you’re hiring, how they work, and what you can expect—not just on stage, but behind the scenes.
At Dennis Smith Entertainment, we’ve worked with couples across the country to craft live experiences that feel bold, beautiful, and completely one-of-a-kind. And we’ve also heard every “I wish we’d known this before we booked” story in the book.
To save you from those surprises, we put together a list of the most important questions to ask any wedding band and why the answers matter more than you think.
What You’ll Learn in This Article:
- The key questions every couple should ask before hiring a wedding band
- How to tell the difference between an agency and a true performance group
- Why customization and flexibility matter more than you think
- How Dennis Smith Entertainment delivers curated, world-class experiences
1. Are You a Band or an Agency?
This might seem like a small detail, but it’s one of the most important questions you can ask.
Some companies that advertise wedding entertainment aren’t bands at all; they’re agencies.
That means they act as middlemen, sending out different groups under the same name depending on availability. In other words, the band you fall in love with online may not be the band that shows up on your wedding day.
What to Listen For
Clarity about who’s performing
Consistency in the lineup, especially for vocalists and lead musicians
Transparency around substitutes or last-minute changes
At Dennis Smith Entertainment, every performance is carefully curated. We don’t just “send a band,” we build a team around your event. Party bands like Party on the Moon and Jessie’s Girls rehearse together, understand pacing, and come prepared to deliver a seamless, professional show from start to finish.
Want to know more about mega party options where we combine the expertise of multiple groups? Check out our article on mega music shows and our supergroup, Moon and the Stars.
Tip: When you hire a band, you deserve to know exactly who’s walking onto that stage, and that they’re more than just talented. They’re tight, rehearsed, and ready to perform together.
2. Can We Customize the Setlist?
This question goes way beyond personal taste. It’s about whether your band is there to perform for you, or just play at you.
A good wedding band knows how to read the room. A great one knows how to weave your story, energy, and preferences into a musical journey that feels curated from the first note to the final encore.
Why It Matters
Your first dance, reception entrance, and parent dances. These deserve personal significance
Certain songs may hold meaning, and you want to know if the band can learn or arrange them live
Guests love familiar hits, but mixing in your personality is what sets the night apart
What to Ask
Can we make specific song requests?
Can you learn a new song for us if it’s not in your repertoire?
Can you modify or rework a song to fit our vibe or moment?
At Dennis Smith Entertainment, we treat every performance like it’s one night only, because it is. Whether you want an acoustic version of a pop song or a custom mashup for your entrance, we create live arrangements that feel fresh, personal, and perfectly timed to your day.
3. How Many Hours of Live Music Are Included?
Not all “four-hour packages” mean four hours of live performance, and this is where a lot of couples get caught off guard.
Some bands include setup, dinner music, and break time in that number. Others perform in blocks or “sets” with pauses in between. It’s important to know what’s actually covered—and what you might need to plan around.
What to Clarify
How long will the band actively be playing?
How many sets are included, and how long is each one?
Are additional hours available if the party runs long?
Also ask about cocktail hour and ceremony coverage. Some bands offer smaller configurations (like a jazz trio or string ensemble) before the full reception group kicks in.
How We Handle It
At Dennis Smith Entertainment, we don’t leave you guessing. We walk you through exactly how the music will flow across your entire event. From light acoustic guitar during cocktail hour to a full-production band tearing up the dance floor, we make sure the sound and energy never miss a beat.
4. Do You Provide Music During Breaks or Transitions?
It’s a detail many couples overlook, until the music suddenly stops and the room goes silent.
Even the best bands take breaks. The key is making sure the energy doesn’t. Ask how your band handles transitions, downtime, and background music between live sets.
What to Ask
Will music play during band breaks?
Do you provide a DJ or curated playlist during downtime?
Can the transitions between live and recorded music be seamless?
Silence between songs can kill the vibe, especially during key moments like dinner or the early dance floor build. You want continuous flow, not awkward gaps.
What Sets Us Apart
At Dennis Smith Entertainment, we manage your sound from the first champagne pour to the last encore. Whether it’s a DJ-style playlist during a short reset or a musician who keeps playing while others take a break, we keep the energy consistent, so the party never loses momentum.
5. What’s the Band’s Usual Size & Can It Be Adjusted?
Not every venue—or couple—needs a 12-piece band. And not every song hits the same way in a cathedral as it does on a vineyard patio. That’s why versatility matters just as much as talent.
A professional band should be able to scale their lineup and sound to match your event’s setting, energy, and guest count, without compromising quality.
What to Ask
What’s your standard band size?
Can the group be customized (horns, strings, vocalists)?
Do you offer smaller or larger ensembles?
Can different setups be used for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception?
What We Offer
At Dennis Smith Entertainment, flexibility is built into every performance. The band Funk Cake is a perfect example.
Need a full wall of sound for a grand ballroom? Go with the 8-9 piece full ensemble.
Hosting a more intimate celebration? The Mini-Band Quartet delivers a rich, soulful vibe in a compact format.
Want something in between? The 6-piece original band brings funk, style, and energy without overpowering a smaller venue.
And for transitions, we offer something few others can: a New Orleans-style horn line. Funk Cake’s dynamic horn section can lead guests between venues, energize your entrance, or create a moment so bold it pulls people off their phones and onto the dance floor.
6. What’s Your Experience with Formal Events or Luxury Weddings?
It’s one thing to play a great set. It’s another to deliver a flawless performance in a venue where the lighting, pacing, and sound need to be just right.
Luxury weddings and formal events demand more than musicianship—they require adaptability, polish, and seamless collaboration with planners, venues, and production teams.
What to Ask
Have you performed at formal or high-end venues before?
Are you familiar with luxury wedding timelines and expectations?
Can you coordinate with planners, venue teams, or production staff?
Do you have examples of similar events you’ve worked?
Why This Matters
Black-tie weddings, museum galas, and skyline-view receptions have a different rhythm. The entertainment doesn’t just need to be good—it needs to fit the moment.
At Dennis Smith Entertainment, we’ve provided live music for some of the most exclusive venues in the country, including iconic spaces across New York City and Atlanta, where sophistication and precision are non-negotiable.
We understand how to adapt our sound, setlist, and flow to match the space, the acoustics, and the mood.
Final Thoughts
Booking a wedding band isn’t just about choosing music, it’s about choosing the experience you want your guests to remember. From the first note to the final song, your band sets the emotional tone, the energy, and the flow of the night.
When you ask the right questions upfront, you’re not just protecting your investment; you’re ensuring your wedding feels intentional, elevated, and unforgettable.
At Dennis Smith Entertainment, we bring more than talent: we bring vision, professionalism, and an obsession with details that turn music into magic.
Ready to Book a Band That Does More Than Just Play Music?
Dennis Smith Entertainment delivers entertainment that’s tightly produced, custom-curated, and designed to leave your guests talking long after the last dance.
Let’s Talk About Your Event →