The band you hire decides whether your guests remember your reception as a dinner or as a party. In Colorado, where weddings range from Denver ballrooms to mountaintop decks in Vail, there’s more to plan than in most states. Here are the ten questions we’d ask if we were the ones getting married.
1. Can I see the band live, or watch real live video?
Studio recordings and edited reels can hide a lot. Ask for unedited live footage, or better, a public show you can attend. (Ours are listed on our shows page, and our clean promo video is a good starting point.)
2. Is a sound engineer included?
A dedicated sound engineer is the difference between “loud” and “great.” Without one, the band mixes itself from the stage. Ask whether an engineer comes with the band or costs extra.
3. Can one band cover the whole day?
Many couples book separate musicians for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. Ask whether the band can cover all three, which usually saves money and simplifies your timeline.
4. Will you learn our first-dance song?
Most good bands will learn a first dance, a parent dance, or a special song on request. Ask how far in advance they need it.
5. Do you offer a clean show?
With grandparents and kids in the room, you want control over lyrics. Ask whether a clean show is available, and whether the setlist can change as the night goes on.
6. How do you handle mountain and outdoor venues?
Altitude, afternoon storms, gondola access and outdoor sound limits are normal in Colorado. Ask about power needs, a weather backup plan, and how load-in works at your venue. We wrote more about this in our guides to Colorado mountain weddings, Vail, Breckenridge and Aspen.
7. How is travel priced?
For weddings outside the Denver metro, ask for travel and any lodging to be included in one written quote, so there are no surprises later.
8. What do you need from our venue?
A professional band will send a stage plot and power requirements ahead of time. Share those with your venue coordinator early.
9. What does the dance floor look like at 10 p.m.?
Ask about the band’s style and setlist. Our show is built on 90s and 2000s R&B and hip-hop because it’s the music most couples getting married today grew up on, and their parents know it too.
10. Can I read real reviews?
Look for recent reviews from weddings like yours on Google, The Knot, WeddingWire and GigSalad, not just quotes on the band’s own site.
The short version
Hire a band with its own sound engineer, real live video, recent reviews, and a clear written quote. If you’re planning a wedding in Denver, the mountains, or a destination, we’d love to hear about it: check your date here.