Wedding musicians and singers - tips

Entertainment is not just music - it could be anything from a puppet show for the kids, fire eaters, dancers or a stand-up comedian. Whichever you choose, you want to ensure that your entertainer turns up, is professional and, most importantly, entertains your guests! Here are some tips to make sure this happens:

ALLOW TIME FOR RESEARCH AND AUDITIONS
Yes, auditions! You are booking talent so do what any entertainment booking agent does - ask to see what they’ve got. A video can only show you so much. Make time to see a show, check out reviews and referrals and how busy they are.

CHOOSE ACTS THAT ARE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SETTING, THEME AND AUDIENCE
If you have an outdoor rustic wedding, booking a cabaret act is probably going to be a tad off-center. Where’s the stage? Booking a clown at a very classic, traditional wedding likewise will clash. But if you have fire eaters at an eclectic outdoor wedding with a romantic gypsy theme, it is on point. Likewise, the puppeteer or the Buddy Holly tribute band would be appropriate for the vintage or 50’s retro-styled wedding.

You need to be explicit in your brief to your chosen entertainers. How long do you want them for? What do you want them to do? What don’t you want them to do/play? If there’s a particular theme, song or character you want them to perform, explain the context carefully. If you want them to create or learn a non-repertoire piece, this may incur an extra fee.

MAKE SURE THE CONTRACT CONTAINS THE SPECIFICS
As well as insurance and liability - especially if you have acrobats or fire eaters! Also, do look after your entertainers - give them a vendor’s meal and liquid refreshment, a contact person. If they need extra facilities or power supply, make certain they have the details and name of the reception site manager.