What your band needs from your venue

Most hitches on a wedding night trace back to a question nobody put to the venue. These are the ones we ask, so you can raise them early or pass us to your coordinator.

Power and space

A band of five needs about 5 metres by 3, close to two standard sockets on separate circuits if possible. Extension leads across a dance floor are a trip hazard, so we ask where the sockets are.

Load-in and parking

We bring speakers, a drum kit and lighting. A door near the room and somewhere to park for unloading saves a lot of time and keeps cases out of the way of your guests.

Sound limiters

Many venues have a limiter that cuts the power if the sound goes over a set level. Ask the venue for the limit in decibels. We plan the drums and monitors around it, so the band stays under the limit without sounding thin.

Curfew and finish time

Check when the music must stop and when the room must be clear. We plan the last song a few minutes before the curfew and allow time to pack down.

A room, a meal and the timings

Bands usually ask for somewhere to change and a hot meal, as we arrive during dinner. Share the timings with your caterer and photographer too, so the first dance does not clash with the cake.

• Where we play and where the sockets are
• Load-in door and parking
• The sound limiter level
• Curfew and room-clear times
• A changing room and a band meal