Wedding FAQs
- How far in advance should I book a band
for my wedding?
- Can I go see some bands at a wedding or
live performance before I make a final decision?
- Once I have chosen a band or DJ for my
event, how do I go about reserving them for my date?
- If there is a song I want to have played
that the band doesn't know, will they learn it for me?
- Do I need to meet with my band prior to
the wedding?
- When should I contact my bandleader to
discuss the details of the wedding?
- Do I need to pick songs or tell the band
what to play?
- How do you handle payment?
- What is the policy on tipping?
- How should I let Hank Agency and my bandleader
know that we loved the band?
If you have questions that are not addressed here or elsewhere
on the site, please don't hesitate to contact
us!
1. How far in advance should I book a
band for my wedding?
Many of the more popular bands start booking up for prime
dates about a year in advance. So "the earlier the better"
is always best way to the most available options to choose
from. However, we have booked bands for clients whose weddings
were two and three weeks away! And, even the most popular
bands generally have some prime dates still open even a few
months out. So rest assured that whatever time frame you are
working with … we can get it done! (In fact, Pam from
the Hank Agency booked her entire wedding just 8 weeks in
advance!!!!)
In booking classical musicians for your ceremony and/or cocktail
hour, you don't have to book that quite as far in advance
unless you just want to get it taken care of and out of the
way.
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2. Can I go see some bands at a wedding
or live performance before I make a final decision?
We encourage clients to view a band before booking whenever
possible. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to
view bands at weddings due to security concerns on the part
of the facilities. As a result, we suggest attending
one of our showcases if possible to see the band(s). There
you will still see the bands in their formal attire playing
a 30 minute mix of music that is representative of what they
would play at a typical wedding. You will also have the chance
to meet the band in a comfortable, relaxed, fun atmosphere.
If a showcase is not convenient we can try to send you to
a club or restaurant, however in these settings bands are
often required to play a very different selection of music
and typically dress in much more casual attire.
Whenever we are able to send you to view a band at someone
else's wedding, we will try to do so by obtaining the permission
of the bride and groom. If permission is granted, we ask that
you remain discreet at all times, dress appropriately and
always arrive at least two hours into the function so that
dinner is finished and your presence will be less conspicuous.
Do keep in mind however, that you may be asked to leave by
the venue security even if Hank Agency has been granted permission
by the bride and groom. Hank Agency cannot be held responsible
for this, but we ask that you please be courteous and compliant
so as not to disturb the wedding and so as not to jeopardize
our relationship with that facility.
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3. Once I have chosen a band or DJ for
my event, how do I go about reserving them for my date?
Just call your agent at the Hank Agency. We will re-confirm
availability and mail you a contract and a wedding information
sheet. You will have 7 days to sign and return the contract
to our office with a 50% deposit. The contract will then be
sent to your bandleader for his/her counter-signature. Once
the bandleader has signed off, a fully executed copy of the
contract will be returned to you for your files.
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4. If there is a song I want to have played
that the band doesn't know, will they learn it for me?
Yes, all of the bands are willing to learn one song per wedding.
You would need to supply the bandleader with a copy of the
song on CD long with the sheet music at least three months
in advance of your wedding. This deadline ensures that the
band will have ample time to learn and thoroughly rehearse
the song so it is perfect come the day of the wedding.
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5. Do I need to meet with my band prior
to the wedding?
A face-to-face meeting with your bandleader is not necessary,
as all of your event details and pre-planning can be effectively
done over the phone and via email. Your bandleader will be
happy to speak with you at any time over the phone to answer
any questions you may have and to help you with song selection
for special dances etc. If you would like to meet and get
to know your band/bandleader, we encourage you to come and
see them at a showcase
or live performance.
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6. When should I contact my bandleader
to discuss the details of the wedding?
Once you have booked your band, you are welcome to speak
with your bandleader at any time if you have questions. However,
we generally recommend that you wait until about one to two
months before the wedding to discuss all of the actual details
of the reception. The reason for waiting is that a lot of
things may change as your wedding date draws closer (i.e.
timing, your taste in songs, who is doing toasts, etc.) and
usually everything gets finalized in the final few weeks before.
As such, we encourage you to fill out your wedding information
sheet [link here] first
and mail that to us along with the CD and sheet music for
the song you want the band to learn. Once that is in, you
can speak with your bandleader to go over everything and make
any changes that are necessary.
NOTE: Please remember that any business-related contractual
changes (i.e. time changes, location changes, date changes
etc.) must be discussed with your agent at Hank Agency first
and submitted in writing. All proposed time/venue/date changes
are subject to PRODUCER's prior written approval.
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7. Do I need to pick songs or tell the
band what to play?
All bandleaders want to have a general idea as to what you
and your fiancée like for music as they prepare for
your wedding. It is helpful for you to provide them with a
loose guideline of "please play" songs along with
the specific songs you have chosen for your special dances
(i.e. first dance ; bride/father dance ; groom/mother dance
; bridal party dance ; last dance ; etc.).
However, keep in mind that along with hiring a band's musicianship,
you are also hiring their expertise, so you want to give the
band enough freedom and flexibility to "read" your
crowd as the evening is unfolding. They will know what music
to play that will keep your guests engaged, keep the momentum
building, and keep the dance floor packed. So, work with your
bandleader to make sure he or she knows what you do and don't
like, but be careful not to give your bandleader so much direction
that he/she is not able to give you a successful party.
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8. How do you handle payment?
A 50% deposit is required to reserve your band and is due
to Hank Agency with your signed contract within 7 days of
the contract's date of issue. The deposit shall be made payable
to HANK AGENCY GROUP, INC. in the form of a personal check,
certified bank check, money order or cash. We do not currently
accept credit cards. The remaining balance will be due and
payable to the band at the event in the form of a certified
bank check, money order or cash only.
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9. What is the policy on tipping?
If you are satisfied with your band's performance and enjoyed
working with them, then tipping a band is customary but certainly
not required. Whether to tip is purely at your discretion
and there is not any specific expected amount or percentage.
We recommend that you tip in the amount that makes you feel
comfortable, whether it is a certain amount that you designate
per player or a lump sum gesture. Generally tips are given
to the bandleader (or whomever you dealt with the most- not
necessarily the lead singers) at the end of the evening by
the bride and groom or one of the parents.
If you plan to tip the band but are afraid you will forget
to do so at the end of the night, then try to designate that
task to someone who is responsible and that you trust (i.e.
the best man / maid of honor, the wedding coordinator, a parent
or older sibling or relative). Most tipping is done in cash
- but again, that is totally up to you!
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10. How should I let Hank Agency and
my bandleader know that we loved the band?
Nothing makes us happier than hearing from our satisfied brides
and grooms after the wedding. Send
us a note and tell us all about it. We share your letters
with the bands and often include these testimonials in their
press kits so that other interested brides and grooms can
read about your experiences. Pictures of you and the band
and/or video footage are great too...we'd love to post pictures
of you on our website so we hope to hear from you when you
get back from the honeymoon!
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