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The Basics Band has had the honor of performing at many Wedding Receptions and has acquired significant experience and expertise. We now share our thoughts, advice and counsel.

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The Bride and Groom are the “stars” of this event and, properly, all entertainment and event plans should focus on this. That having been agreed upon, remaining details should assure the entertainment of your guests.

Nothing ever happens on time at a Wedding Reception. Trying to line up Wedding Party participants is similar to herding cats. It's going to take more or less time than you think for everybody to go through the buffet line, make a speech, etc.

Don’t leave anything to chance...GET IT IN WRITING...from The Basics Band, from your caterer or whoever. If it’s not written down on a contract somewhere, assume it’s not going to happen. Managers come and go at hotels and similar venues. What one manager “promised” - but didn't include on the contract - may be unknown to the next one and there may be a different hotel manager by the time the reception happens.

If you are using a professional wedding consultant, he/she needs a contract with you and a guarantee that everything will take place as you want, AS WRITTEN on the contract. Any band, hotel, caterer etc unwilling to commit on paper should be dismissed and a suitable replacement found.

If you are dealing with friends or family, handle it as you like...”I just need you to write it down for me so I don’t forget what you’re doing” or whatever...but get it on paper!

Music selections should certainly be made with your personal tastes in mind, particularly for the “special” events such as The Bride and Groom First Dance. Other music should be varied enough to appeal to every guest, from the children to the elderly relatives. While you may personally groove to death metal or gangsta rap, not all your guests may agree and may in fact be offended by certain lyrics.

The Basics Band has an extensive repertoire, polished and ready to play. A partial list is available on the page titled "Repertoire". If you don't see a particular song you want, just ask. Chances are we already know it.

Each offers certain advantages...DJ’s are cheaper and live bands are better (our personal view). Seriously, there is nothing that can top the crowd interaction and ambience of an experienced wedding band such as The Basics. Just ask some of our clientele (names provided upon request).

If your budget won't allow you to contract a true wedding band of The Basics caliber, we suggest you consider an experienced wedding DJ before making arrangements with an inexpensive  band you may enjoyed in a nightclub or similar setting.

Typically, club bands always play what they always play. Special requests, pre-event coordination, schedule management   - services routinely provided by dedicated wedding reception performers - are rarely available from club bands. Additionally, club performers are inherently the "stars" - not the Bride and Groom.

No two wedding receptions are alike. Some couples may wish all the traditional items be addressed, such as The Garter routine and The Tossing of the Bouquet. Others may wish few or none of them. Still others of the Jewish faith may desire the Hora, the Krinz and other traditional events. No problem...we can do it all! It’s YOUR wedding reception, do what you want.

While we usually are attired in tuxedos and gown, we are more than happy to don whatever attire you wish should an unusual theme be chosen.

Middle Eastern, Scottish, Ukrainian and other unusual (in this country) theme weddings require additional planning and we’ll be happy to address these with you separately.

We have listed most traditional events for you to choose from on the page titled "Events". You will also find an excellent on-line reception planner tool elsewhere on this website, in the section called "Planner".

Every wedding reception, unless done in a VERY small room, needs sound reinforcement so that not only the music, but also toasts, speeches and announcements can be clearly heard. The equipment should be of professional quality and so configured that irritating "feedback" does not annoy the listener.

The Basics Band utilizes only professional sound equipment and will provide whatever is needed for your reception hall. Many wedding receptions feature a Benediction as well as one or more toasts from wedding party members and guests. Some receptions may also feature other invited entertainers (singers, musicians, speakers), professional or otherwise. Our equipment and expertise is available to make this happen as well.

If a celebratory, dancing, party atmosphere is to be achieved, you cannot rely on standard room lighting. There's nothing more effective in guaranteeing a lack of dancers than a brightly lit room with harsh, fluorescent fixtures. There must be enough ambient light so that guests can easily navigate but not so much that they avoid joining in the party mood. When's it's time to dance, drop the room lighting and concentrate on the dance floor.

We have a complete nightclub lighting equipment package available (spotlights, disco lights, strobes, fog machines,  etc., etc.) BUT…most wedding receptions utilize little or no special lighting other than decorative, subtle lighting fixtures to highlight the dance floor. For a dignified party atmosphere, we can create a subdued stage lighting package that will not detract from the dignity of the event...or we can create a high-tech disco...it’s completely up to you!

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