Taking on the role of a wedding planner can be stressful even for the most prepared people. If you are looking to DIY, it never hurts to go the extra mile to guarantee everything goes smoothly leading up to your wedding day. When dealing with live music, it is a good idea to check with your venue about whether they can accommodate a band and have the necessary license and resources to make things work.

Here are a few questions you should ask your venue before hiring a live wedding band or musician:

Does the license of your site allow for live music?

With noise pollution, neighbours nearby and stricter laws in effect, many venues simply are not approved to host live music. This will often only apply to amplified live music so, if you have already committed to your dream wedding venue, there may still be some live music options. You could have an unplugged acoustic act, string quartets or even a quirky jazz band.

Do you use a sound limiter?

Sound limiters are all the rage these days. Some pesky musicians are known for pushing the volume as much as they can. Because of that, sound limiters have become the must-have tool in a venue’s arsenal.

Do you have a built-in PA system?

Many venues have sound systems built in so if this is the case, you will need to run the PA spec past your band to make sure everything is okay. Similarly, your venue might ask for the band’s tech spec to confirm suitability.

How much space is free for the band to use?

On more than a few occasions clients have booked a large band only to find that their venue can only accommodate a trio. Make sure you find out the space allowance ahead of time so that you can find a band that fits in it.

Is there access to an adequate power supply?

With many couples wanting musicians to perform outside, it is essential to figure out the logistics of that. Most bands will need a power supply, whether that be from an outside socket, extension or a generator.

Is there enough unloading space and parking available for the band?

This applies more towards city venues where unloading and parking are often more restricted. Your band will require a legal space to park their vehicles when loading in, so check with your site to ensure they have access to a loading bay.

Is there a green room available?

Many bands need a comfortable place to get ready. While the back of their van seems like an obvious place, they may require a green room in the venue as well. Most venues should have this, but it is worth knowing for sure early on.

Is there a live music curfew?

Always ask about your venue’s curfew as some venues do require live music to end a little earlier than the standard midnight time to adhere to a license agreement.

These questions are by no means the only ones you should ask your wedding venue, but it is a start. There may be other things that come up during the planning process, but this should get you off to the right start with both your venue and your band. For musicians that have experience playing in several types of wedding venues, contact Groove & Tonic. We are a Vancouver band that specializes in performing live music at weddings. You can feel assured that your guests will be entertained with us since we can perform a wide variety of genres. Call us today to see how we can work in your venue.