More band for your buck

Nothing makes your wedding celebration stick in your guests’ memories like a dancefloor filled with friends old and new and some big tunes. We get the lowdown from Mark Seacombe, owner of Brighton based Uptown Music, on how to achieve just that. Mark says: “We’ve spent the last 20 years making music. The events have been varied, but the lessons have been simple.”

• Consider venue constraints. When finding your perfect venue, ask about curfews and sound limiters. Bands will play as loudly and as late as they’re allowed!
• Get the bar as close as possible to the dancefloor. By making sure the drinks are in the same room as the music, you wont lose dancers to the bar and will even lure the more reluctant to throw some shapes.
• Keep the dancefloor as compact as possible. It’s preferable that the dancefloor looks full rather than feels empty.
• Don’t have the live band playing too early. Give your guests time to mingle, grab a drink and relax after the meal. No one wants to dance on a full stomach!
• Include sound checks and set-up time in your planning. A professional band will take around 45-60 minutes to set up. An early setup could incur costs. Perhaps factor in the cake cutting at the other end of the space to draw attention away from the band’s arrival. Expect a soundcheck. They’ll want to be at their best for you!
• Consider the first dance carefully. Talk to the band about whether the track is best pre-recorded or live.
• Use the band’s experience. Trust them to put your setlist in the best possible order to draw your guests to the dancefloor and keep them there.

Find out more about Uptown Music at www.uptownmusic.co.uk