About a month ago, my mom started to get nervous about the wedding band. I was in those final few weeks before law school exams, so I couldn't really do anything, so my mom started calling around. It seems like the best way to do this, by the way, is by referral. Turns out she was right to be nervous. The first band she called (the band that played at my brother's friend's sister's wedding), happened to be booked more than 13 months in advance of the date! So this made my mom more nervous. But she eventually found a few more that were available June 4, 2011, and we decided to go listen to Chateau, which, incidentally, just won an award from theknot.
We emailed/talked on the phone back and forth with the director/manager Sid, and he said we could come watch them at a wedding at the Cherry Creek Golf Club in Shelby Twp., MI, as long as we were quiet and unobtrusive and dressed appropriately. So Derek and I headed off to "crash" our first wedding! (We get life points for that, right?)Derek was worried that any band that wasn't a swing band would only play 2000s pop music, but when we walked in, they were playing "Sweet Caroline." Then they played "Build Me Up Buttercup," and I think Derek was sold. The band seemed to really keep party going very well, and they played a good variety of songs.
This little old couple struck up a conversation with us, too. I think they were a little tipsy because the husband mentioned four or five times that he had seen the band play before. They tried to get us to have a drink, but, being polite music-spies, we refused.
Anyway, Derek said "Yes" to the band (for the record, I like them too. I was more worried about Derek because he's kind of particular about his music), so I talked to Sid the next day. He said they were totally willing to learn "Little Surfer Girl" for me and my dad. He said he thought they could learn "Teach Your Children Well" for Derek and his mom, but he was wary of it because it's more of an acoustic guitar song, and the last time they learned a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young song, it took them a very long time and no one ever requested the song again. But he said he'd try, since they have a year. And if they can't, they can play it on CD--apparently this is common (they have a DJ to play during the breaks).
The basic package, then, is $4650 for a 6 piece band, which, from calling around, is a GREAT deal--I haven't seen anything else under $6000 (see below for some other packages we found--prices are never posted online, and it's frustrating, and I want to give readers an idea of what they're looking at if they want a live band).
You get four hours of band time (the DJ plays during breaks), and up to one hour before the music starts, they will handle all the introductions and MC stuff. Sid said we could add more time, but usually this is enough. He also said we could add a saxophone for $450, but it's really not necessary.
Derek and I talked about it, then talked to my parents (they have graciously offered to pay for the band). Everyone said yes, so I let Sid know ASAP, and we're set!
* The wedding we spied on was at Cherry Creek Golf Club in Shelby Twp., MI. It's a beautiful facility--the reception hall opens onto these beautiful rolling green hills. The older gentleman we talked to, who liked to express his amazement at the cost of weddings these days, said that he heard the food was around $100/plate. Major downside: TWO weddings going on at the SAME TIME! And they weren't even on opposite sides of the building--they were right next door to each other. I would die!
**Other bands we talked to:
Intrigue
8 piece band @ $6500
11 piece band @7500
Based on 4 hours with full band, 2 twenty minute breaks with DJ service, Introductions, First Dance, & cake cutting
The Dan Rafferty Band
$6500 for the "jazz group" which is either a 5 piece band with keyboards, sax, bass, guitar & drum or a 3 piece with keyboards, sax, and bass.
This is for 6 hours with the jazz group, DJ and full band.
Willing to learn any new songs.
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