So you’re organising your wedding reception at a plush venue and you decide you want to have a live band. You’ve chosen the band because they do disco, funk and soul material and you want the dancefloor packed.
Needless to say, you expect your guests to be wearing their formal finest, but what about the band?
We do a lot of weddings and, by default (always our decision), it’s a case of black trousers, white shirt with tie or bow, and waistcoat, but for me this feels rather at odds with the sort of good-time music we perform. Smart trousers, yes, but I’d prefer funky, colourful shirt – and, to be honest, tie or dickie is not a great thing to wear when you’re singing.
If it was your wedding, what would you want?
Well, unless the event was so very 'posh' that it mattered - I would stick to what you want to wear. The image on your website is just fine an shows you as lively and adaptable.
No-ones going to be looking at you so who cares what the band are wearing?
The most important thing you are bringing to the event is the quality of your music, I'm sure you wouldn't want to hear folk say "they played cr@p but didn't they look nice?"
I play weddings quite often too; mainly smart country houses/hotels. They are rarely, if ever, "black tie" events.
We go for smart black trousers, casual shirt, and certainly no ties. I think it makes the band look far too stuffy.
People are there to enjoy themselves. No one's ever mentioned our dress.
There's an old saying in performance ............ "people listen with their eyes" ......... meaning that if you're enjoying yourselves, then they will too.
Glad to know some of you feel the same way as me - I much prefer smart but personal/casual. Just logging in, though, to relay something hilarious.
A certain someone emailed to say the band they used to be in were 100% outfit-coordinated, very smart. Comperes often introduced them as (and I quote) "the best-dressed band on the circuit".
That was nearly 6 hours ago and I'm still finding hard not to lol as I read it.
If I booked a particular band for an event then it would be because I like what I've seen of them. I would therefore expect them to dress as they normally dress on stage. It's part of who the band is. You wouldn't book, e.g. the Rolling Stones or Kiss and expect them to perform in their best bib and tucker ... would you?