Jazz Band For Wedding Reception

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and your choice of entertainment has the power to make it even more memorable. While many couples generally prefer to hire traditional wedding bands or DJs for this special day, we believe a live jazz band could be the perfect option for your wedding.

Jazz bands bring a unique mix of lively energy and sophistication to any event. Their smooth sounds create an enchantmenting atmosphere and set the tone for a memorable celebration.

If you’re looking for a jazz band for your special day, you’re at the right place. LIV Entertainment offers top-tier jazz bands for hire to add charm and elegance to your ceremony. Contact us to hire yours now!

In this blog post, we’ll cover reasons to hire a jazz band for your wedding reception. We’ll also guide you on how to find and hire a band for your wedding.

Benefits of Hiring a Jazz Band for Your Wedding Reception

Jazz bands do more than just elevate the mood of your wedding reception. There are a multitude of benefits to hiring a wedding jazz band, and the following are just some of the many advantages they bring:

1. Unique Atmosphere and Elegance: A live jazz band will give you a classy vibe that prerecorded music can’t match. The slick sound of jazz can make your event all the more romantic and special.

2. Engaging Entertainment: The best jazz bands don’t just play music; they put on a show. Who doesn’t love a good live performance? A live jazz band makes your reception fun and exciting for guests. It doesn’t matter whether they want to dance or just enjoy the music, no one is left out.

3. Versatility: Arguably, one of the best things about jazz bands is their ability to adapt to any part of your event. They can transition from soft tunes at dinner to upbeat for when it’s time to hit the dance floor. No matter the moment, jazz bands have the versatility to easily change their sound to fit the mood.

4. Personalization: Jazz bands also give you a chance to personalize your music. You can work with the band to curate a playlist that matches the feel of your wedding. This way, the music will not only entertain your guests but also be meaningful to you.

Different Styles of Wedding Jazz Bands

In this section, we’ll explore the different styles of jazz bands you can choose for your wedding. From smooth jazz to swing, you’re sure to discover the perfect sound to match your wedding vibe.

First up, we have classic jazz, a style that’s never going out of fashion. Classic jazz presents the ideal sound for anyone whose wedding theme emphasizes tradition and elegance. It brings a timeless feel to match the mood of such weddings. To help you get a feel for what this style of jazz music sounds like, some good examples would be iconic musicians such as Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald. Both are renowned for their classical jazz discography. It’s the perfect sound for couples who want to have a formal yet warm and inviting environment for their guests.

Next on our list is contemporary jazz. The contemporary sound of smooth jazz is best suited for couples who want a more modern, laid-back vibe at their reception. Its soft melodies create a mellow background that allows guests to sit back and enjoy the celebration. This style works best for cocktail hours and dinner when you want a more casual mood with a hint of sophistication.

Another style of wedding jazz bands is swing bands. If your plan is to get your guests on the dance floor and keep them dancing all night, swing music is the ideal choice. With its lively beat and rhythms, this high-energy sound creates an exciting party atmosphere. It’s the recommended sound for couples who want their weddings to feel vibrant.

And last on our list is Latin Jazz. Some people love to add a little bit of spice to their lives. With influences from salsa and bossa nova, Latin Jazz is the best choice for couples looking to spice up their event with a unique musical twist.

How Many Jazz Musicians Are in a Band?

Small jazz bands, like trios, quartets, and quintets, usually have 3 to 5 members. This typically includes instruments like piano, bass, drums, and possibly a saxophone or trumpet. Larger jazz ensembles have 10 to 20 musicians. Generally, this covers saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. The size of the band often depends on the event and the type of jazz performance desired.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Jazz Band for a Wedding

Before selecting a band for your wedding, it’s important to consider key factors like their style and repertoire. Here, we’ll guide you on the things you shouldn’t overlook when hiring a band and how to align the band’s performance with your vision.

First, you need to determine your budget. One of the first things you should decide on is how much you want to spend on live music. Your rough estimate for the budget will vary depending on the size, reputation, and location of the band. Don’t forget that more experienced musicians or large bands mean higher costs. But considering the added value they bring to the event, we can say it’s worth every penny.

Band Style and Repertoire: It is also important to check out their style since you’ll be depending on your band’s style to set the mood for the wedding. You should confirm that their repertoire matches your event. Some bands specialize in Latin music, while others may perform only swing. Learning about your intended band’s style early on can help you set the ball rolling for a memorable celebration. It also helps to ask the band if they can learn specific songs for special moments like your first dance.

Band Size and Setup: Another thing to consider when choosing a jazz band is the band size and how it fits into the venue. A jazz duo or jazz trio would work well in small, intimate settings. On the other hand, a bigger band would be more appropriate for larger spaces to create a fuller sound. Be sure to look around and check that the venue can handle the band’s equipment and setup needs. This ensures that your band can play smoothly without worrying about logistics issues.

Experience with Weddings: The next thing to think about is whether your band has experience playing for weddings or not. Hiring a band with such experience guarantees that they understand the flow of a wedding day. They won’t need any guidance on what to perform for key moments like the ceremony and speeches. Not to mention, the wedding experience makes them more adaptable to changes in schedule.

Availability: Lastly, before you set your heart on one specific jazz band, make sure they are available for your specific date. Most popular bands allow you to book months ahead, so it’s important to reach out early. Make sure their schedule aligns with yours and that they are committed to sticking around the entire duration of your event.

How to Find and Hire a Wedding Jazz Band?

Picture your wedding day in full swing, the band is on stage to set the mood, and minutes into their performance you realize their performance isn’t what you hope for. To avoid this situation, we’ve highlighted 4 practical steps to help you navigate the process of securing a group that will help bring your vision to life.

Determine Your Needs

Before you start looking for a jazz band, you should know exactly what you’re looking for in one. Think about the vibe you want to create and how the jazz band will help you create that atmosphere. Do you want your event to be laidback or upbeat? Having a clear idea of what you want makes the selection process much faster.

Start Your Search

Once you’ve got a clear idea of your expectations, you can begin your search. Your best bet is to look for local bands who have experience playing for weddings. We strongly recommend starting your search months ahead of your wedding date because popular bands book up fast. It also helps to keep an open mind and be willing to explore various options. Especially if you don’t get the band you had hoped for.

We suggest using music booking platforms to get some weight off your shoulders. These platforms will connect you to professional bands and event planners who are capable of handling your big day. Start your search with us at LIV Entertainment, where we connect soon-to-be newlyweds in the making with phenomenally talented jazz bands.

Check Reviews and Testimonials

Before you make a decision, you should check the reviews and testimonials from other couples. This can give you useful insight into your selected band’s professionalism and performance quality. Be sure to look for consistency in the feedback you get. You can also try watching videos of their live performance or attending one in person if possible. This will help you really get a feel of their energy and how well they interact with the audience.

Contact a Band and Discuss the Details

By now, you should have a list of potential bands or a specific band you’d like to work with. Reach out to them to discuss details like your musical preferences and any special requests you may have. Also, discuss topics like venue setup, setlists, timing, and pricing. The goal is to get you and the band on the same page.

How Much Does a Wedding Jazz Band Cost?

There are a lot of factors that influence the cost of hiring a jazz band. One major contributor is the size of the band. Smaller bands, like a trio or quartet, will cost less than larger groups with more musicians. The experience level of the band also affects the price. Experienced bands will charge higher fees because of their established skill and reputation.

The average live band cost for a wedding in the United States is $5,000 plus a 10% gratuity. This sum typically covers three to six musicians. While you would spend less on entertainment if you hired a DJ or played recorded music, there are some unique benefits to hiring a live band. Jazz bands are capable of interacting with the audience and changing their style to match the mood spontaneously if necessary. This is something that can’t be replicated with recorded music.

To get the most out of your investment if you’re on a tight budget, we suggest going for a smaller band or opting for a shorter performance time. You can also stick to local bands to avoid handling travel and hotel costs. This ensures you stay within your budget without compromising on quality.

The Best Jazz Songs for Your Wedding Reception Playlist

Learn some of the best jazz songs to include in your wedding reception playlist. From romantic ballads to upbeat classics, these songs will help you curate the perfect musical experience.

1. The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra: Best for your first dance

2. All Of Me by Billie Holiday: Perfect for exchanging vows

3. At Last by Etta James: Recommended choice for an unforgettable walk down the aisle

4. What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong: The 10/10 song for toasts

5. Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin: Ideal for cocktail hour, dinner, and any moment that lets people socialize

6. Blue Skies by Ella Fitzgerald: Great for after-dinner dancing to get guests back on the dance floor

7. Unforgettable by Nat King Cole: Suitable for the first dance or a special dedication

8. L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole: Best for cake cutting and other festive moments

Need a Jazz Band For Your Wedding Day?

Choosing a jazz band for your big day brings a touch of elegance to your ceremony. Regardless of whether you opt for a swing band or Latin jazz band, they all have the ability to adapt their performance to fit the moment and keep your guests entertained.

For over 15 years, LIV Entertainment has collaborated with numerous couples to create unforgettable moments for weddings of all sizes. Our handpicked jazz wedding bands are the best of the best when it comes to bringing your vision to light, so don’t wait any longer! Contact us today to make your wedding day truly special.