When wedding bands start late…

I notice more and more that wedding bands are starting later and later. Sometimes I see the first dance starting as late as 11pm!

Let me stress that it is RARELY the bands fault for this, in fact it is nearly never their fault. After all, it is in the bands interest to get on early, so they can finish at their planned finish time. If they go on an hour later, they feel obliged to play on for a little bit extra. This then forces your DJ to start late, but the hotel will normally make the DJ stop at a fixed time regardless.

Your band will normally arrive to the hotel well in advance of their planned start time. Then they just wait around for the speeches to end and for the hotel staff to clear the room. After the speeches they may need to clear tables away from where the band is going to set up and they will also need to clear tables off the dance floor.

What factors influence the band’s actual start time?

1) If you arrive to the hotel very late your meal may start very late. Then your speeches will be later, ripple effect.

2) If your speeches are very long (e.g. an hour long). The average would be 25 - 30 minutes.

3) If your band can have their gear set up earlier on in the day this will save a lot of time. Some hotels won’t allow this as there will be tables where the band is meant to go. However, some hotels have a stage or a dedicated area for the band. Also, not all bands will set up earlier in the day, but may do so if you ask them (nicely!) in advance.

4) It is very common for the band to be set up and ready to go, then they have to wait for the bride and groom to come back into the room to start the first dance. It is a good idea to be there ready to go.

If the band goes on late it’s not the end of the world either, BUT to get the best value for your hard earned cash, it is good to have then start on time.