There will be dancing at our wedding. Even if I’m the only one on the dance floor, dancing will be happening. And while I’m proud to say that I once won a dance-off at a kind of awkward bar in Mississippi, my dance moves really aren’t all that spectacular. So, in order to guarantee that others will be jamming out with me, we’re getting a band!!
I used to think that having a wedding band was a weird idea. That’s probably because I had only seen wedding bands in the movie The Wedding Singer. Why would I think an Adam Sandler movie was depicting real life? I have no idea. But I thought wedding bands were probably terrible.
Image from IMDB and the movie The Wedding Singer
I maintained this opinion until I actually attended a wedding with a band a few years ago, and I had a BLAST! I was dancing the entire night, and everyone seemed to be having an awesome time. Not only did I overcome my assumption that wedding bands were terrible, I decided that I wanted one! Luckily, Mr. Whale is also completely into music and also has a weird vendetta against DJ’s, so he has been 100% on board with this idea since day one of wedding planning. Yeah!!
If you remember that our budget is $10,000, I bet you’re wondering, “Ummmm, how are they going to afford a band that isn’t reminiscent of The Wedding Singer?” Yeah, we got a little worried about that too. We had always had in mind this AWESOME 70′s and 80′s cover band based out of Memphis (We know someone in the band, so we’ve seen them several times). I like to say that they’re my favorite band. (I’m only kind of joking. I love 80′s music.)
My favorite band!!! (Image from Doctor Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster)
I know that after seeing this picture, you’re thinking I’ve lost my mind. But seriously, these guys rock. They put on the most fun show of all time. And the guys are ridiculously talented! They will blow your mind. Unfortunately, they would also blow our budget at $5,000 plus hotel rooms for the night. Why?!?!?!?! I had been envisioning these guys at my wedding basically since the first day I saw them play.
Fortunately, I got in touch with Terry, a representative from East Coast Entertainment. I told him I wanted a band for less than $3,000 that could play a ton of 80′s music. And he totally delivered. I had a million and one questions about all the bands he suggested, and he was always happy to answer them. AND, we found a ridiculously awesome band. Check them out at www.suckerpunchnc.com. Don’t they sound awesome? Our wedding is going to be the best ever!
Would you want to go to a wedding with an 80′s cover band? Or would you prefer a DJ? Or a different type of band?
An 80′s cover band sounds like so much fun! I really don’t like dancing but even I could dig that 
There’s a story that goes like this: A guy looking to hire three musicians to play a party he’s throwing is horrified at the price they quote for the night. He can’t seem to understand why it costs so much and basically insists that they lower their price. So the musicians respond by saying, “OK, fine. You call three top notch plumbers and ask them to quote a price for a job driving over an hour each way to work for 5 hours on a Saturday night. We’ll work for half what they quote.” Musicians are not actually that expensive when you consider what you are paying for. Glad you found a great band at a great price and I think it’s awesome you are having live music at your wedding.
@Rtboo: I definitely don’t think bands are OVER-priced. I’m pretty sure each of our band members gets less than $500 for the night. But they’re still an expensive part of a wedding, which is a bummer. But at least we were able to make it work!
@RapunzelRapunzel: Yeah!! That’s what I’m hoping for! Everybody loves 80s music!
An 80′s cover band sounds amazing, especially at such a great price!
This sounds awesome! But I’m also sad you didn’t get to book Dr Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster because that is clearly the best band name ever.
We are having an 80′s tribute band, they’re called 1988 and play “hair metal” from the 80′s.. mostly Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Poison, Def Leppard etc. They are a really popular local band & everyone is so excited to have them at our reception! We’re having a dj too however, for the more traditional stuff.
80′s music? can I come to your wedding?
For us a band is a bit of a disadvantage because we like a lot of songs in english which, due to language barrier, our band doesn’t play, but we¿ll make it work, it’s a great band after all.
I so want a band but I won’t be able to find one that does Spanish & English music so I will need to hire a DJ. Luckily for me, practically everyone in my family are DJ’s and have their own equipment so it will not be expensive at all. It would actually be free!!
Miss Blue Whale, College Park, MD Age and Occupation: 27, Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Graduate Student Engagement Date: March 10, 2012 Wedding Date: May 2013 Venue: Southern Tree Plantation in Blairsville, GA About Me: I love bright colors, glitter, sugar, cheese, tiny animals, talking in silly accents, dancing, and all things music. I love to plan things, but when it comes time to execute the plans, I tend to panic. My friends tell me that I remind them of a mix between a cartoon character and a Disney Princess. Mr. Blue Whale and I are Southerners at heart, but we’ve been transplanted to the East Coast for school. We both love barbecues, star-gazing, bonfires, music, making up nonsense words, and generally being silly. Our wedding will be a fun-filled destination wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It will most certainly feature bright colors, '80s music, and glitter.
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