How much does it cost to book the band?

The Cost of Booking A Wedding Band

We often get asked what our prices are to book the band and if we are willing to travel. It’s probably the most important question that a couple will ask for 3 reasons:

  1. They want a good quality wedding band

  2. They want lots of value for money

  3. They want everyone to have a great time and feel involved

If you haven’t got to the stage of booking a band yet thats OK. Read on as we go through what to consider when trying to match your dream band with your budget.

How much does a wedding band cost in Ireland?

The Best Wedding Bands in Ireland are a lot easier to book than you think.

When we receive an inquiry from a couple looking for a date its usually the case that they have heard of us or have seen us before and love what we do. We get lots of questions too, like, “How much does the band cost?”, “Do you have any showcases coming up?” and “Do you play the first dance?”. It’s important to think about the memories that a quality band will create for years to come and that will be proven the next morning as its the most talked-about discussion at the breakfast table - that’s what we here regularly from the reviews we get from couples.

They talk about:

  1. The quality of the show provided.

    Flog The Dog provides:

    • A unique and talented lineup of musicians and instruments like the fiddle.

    • A tailorable setlist that couples can select.

    • A highly entertaining, interactive and crowd engaging show.

    • A professional PA & lighting system.

  2. The packages that they included with the band.

    • A band and DJ package is very popular these days among most professional wedding bands.

    • They may also provide Ceremony and Drinks Reception Music which can reduce cost and benefit your finances in other areas of the wedding planning. Lots of bands offer this as part of the band package so make sure to check that out.

  3. A band in demand!

    • Reputation is key when choosing the right band for your wedding. Make sure to check reviews and see what types of venues they have played in before.

    • The date of the wedding is important to consider in terms of the cost. Peak season (May-Oct) and bank holiday weekends will be more expensive than February/March or November, for example.

    • Book your band as early as you can. Don’t leave room disappoint by having left it too late. A wedding band in demand will most likely be booked on the May, or August Bank holiday weekend. Book as early as 18-24 months in advance for peak dates.

So, how do you find a Wedding Band for the right price that includes everything above? That’s the hard part couples will struggle with early on. They might like a brass band but also might want a mix of pop and rock music. As couples move through the lists of bands available for their date, they will quickly narrow in on bands that they like. And when a couple finally books a band, it will be based on what the band means to them personally - a reflection of the music they like, the style they evoke, and they will feel the quality from their videos and from conversing throughout the booking process.

How much does a wedding band cost in Ireland?

Things you should want to avoid!

Here are some tips for finding the right band while excluding the following:

  1. “A band for a Grand!”

    • Sounds cheap? That’s because it is and so too will the quality and the value for money you’ll be getting. The going rate for a Wedding Band is anywhere between €1900 and €2900 with the average resting at €2165*. Every band is going to have a different unique selling point. The more exclusive a band is the higher you’ll have to pay to get your dream band.

      *Average spend on a wedding band in 2019 - https://www.weddingsonline.ie/blog/wedding-spend-up-nearly-10-according-to-new-irish-wedding-survey/

    • Consider the going rate when booking a wedding band. Each band will offer a unique experience with some extra add-ons. You might be tied to a budget, thats understandable. But remember, everyone talks about the band the following morning. Booking the cheapest option may or may not work out.

  2. Bands that have a different lineup

    • Avoid at all costs. You’ve seen their videos online and then they have a showcase with a different singer and bass player? Or worse…you’ve booked them and a male singer turns up when you had booked a band with a female? That’s not what you want to happen on your wedding day.

    • Bands who don’t provide a consistent lineup from week to week will lack the “gel” that most professional wedding bands have. A consistent lineup of musicians means that your wedding band will have the experience and “know how” of putting on an amazing show and keeping every on the floor- delivering that quality you should expect.

Checklist for booking a band

Now that you have an understanding of wedding band prices and what to look for to get good value for money, here’s a quick checklist you can use to help you find your dream wedding band:

  1. In demand band -

    • Are they available for my date ☐

    • Is my date flexible ☐

  2. Quality of the Wedding Band -

    • Videos ☐

    • Good website ☐

    • Instagram/Facebook accounts ☐

    • Public Liability Insurance ☐

  3. Check for Reviews -

    • Read the most recent ☐

    • Check Google reviews ☐

    • Are they reputable? ☐

  4. Packages they offer -

    • Band/DJ ☐

    • Ceremony Music ☐

    • Drinks Reception ☐

    • Day after music ☐

  5. Cost -

    • Reasonably priced? ☐

    • Overpriced? ☐

    • “Band of a grand”? ☐

Make sure to check out WeddingSuppliers.ie and Wedding Band Association for lots more info and advice.