Blog Post
Finding the right one for your wedding? That’s a whole different story.
In a city as music-rich as New Orleans, there are countless options — from traditional jazz trios to high-energy funk bands and everything in between. But with so many choices, it can quickly become overwhelming.
Whether you’re planning a local wedding or a destination celebration, this guide will walk you through what actually matters — from timing to logistics to avoiding common mistakes — based on years of real-world experience.
Let’s break it down.
Knowing the date and time of your wedding before reaching out to a band is always helpful but not entirely necessary. In a music-rich city like New Orleans, it’s actually common for clients to prioritize booking the band first, even before locking in the venue, caterer, or planner.
Still, there are some important things to consider before choosing your date.
The weather in New Orleans is infamously disruptive. Early spring and fall are typically the best months for weddings here, as it’s not too hot or too cold, and it’s outside of hurricane season.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with planning an event in summer months but keep in mind:
At Big Easy Entertainment, we always cross-check your wedding date with the city’s calendar to make sure it doesn’t conflict with major events. This is something many venues and vendors overlook.
For example, a couple once wanted to book the Big Easy Band for their wedding reception at the Napoleon House in April. Sounds perfect, right? Except their date fell right in the middle of French Quarter Fest. Neither their venue, planner, nor second line band had flagged it.
Fortunately, we caught it 18 months out, and they were able to reschedule. Had they not, traffic would have been abysmal, parking non-existent, and second line permits denied. We always recommend double-checking your date against city events because not every venue or vendor pays this kind of attention to detail.
If your ceremony and reception are in the same location, the venue will likely need to “flip” the space between the two. This is most efficiently done by scheduling a second line parade and/or cocktail hour immediately after the ceremony.
If space allows, the cocktail hour can take place in another area of the venue while the room is being reset. If not, a second line parade around the block is a classic New Orleans solution that buys time for the transition and gives your guests an unforgettable experience
Most couples choose 1–3 musicians:
One often overlooked detail is prelude music. Music is often expected 30 minutes prior to the ceremony start time as guests arrive and find their seats.
Another is officiant amplification. If a microphone and speaker are needed, that needs to be specified well in advance. We always ask at Big Easy Entertainment, but we’ve seen officiants and planners that hired other professionals scramble minutes before the ceremony when this is overlooked.
Finally, when the ceremony and reception are in the same room, couples often prefer that the band’s instruments and equipment be out of view during the ceremony for aesthetic reasons. That’s understandable, but setup takes time, especially for a full band.
If the band is expected to set up during a 30–60 minute flip, they’ll need to know in advance to plan accordingly.
For the cocktail hour, a group of 1–3 musicians is ideal.
This isn’t the time for a full band or a high energy party atmosphere; you want uplifting but unobtrusive music, something we call “conversation level” volume.
Guests are sipping champagne, catching up with family, and easing into the night. Lightly amplified or acoustic music sets the perfect tone.
The reception band is where you’ll want to put the most thought.
Couples who approach us often have a New Orleans connection:
Some of your guests will know and love New Orleans music and others may be experiencing it for the first time. That’s why the sweet spot is hiring a band that accommodates this setting.
For example, The Big Easy Band blends a New Orleans repertoire with pop favorites both old and new. That way, everyone finds something to connect with.
Typically, the energy builds throughout the night:
When reviewing a band’s song list, it’s fine to flag your favorites. But we recommend highlighting 5–10 songs you’d absolutely love to hear, and letting the band build around that. New Orleans musicians are experts at reading the room and choosing songs in real time — it’s an underestimated local talent in New Orleans.
We’ve seen couples hand over playlists full of crooner ballads that didn’t fit the crowd. The band is always happy to oblige, but letting them read the vibe always leads to a better party.
When booking a New Orleans wedding band, be sure to ask about custom song requests. Most of our bands and musicians at Big Easy Entertainment will learn and perform up to two songs not on their list for free. Additional requests can be accommodated for a fee (often $40 per musician per song).
Bonus points if the band performs publicly and you can see them live beforehand.
If not, ask for live performance video, not just edited studio recordings. Far too many bands record in a studio and manipulate their promo videos to a level that doesn’t reflect reality. Live video, even phone footage, is the best way to get a real sense of their energy and ability.
Breaks are a necessary part of any band performance, but they shouldn’t interrupt the flow of your wedding. The best way to handle this is to align band breaks with natural lulls in the evening:
Musicians typically perform no longer than 75–90 minutes per set. Coordinating breaks with your planner and MC ensures the energy stays consistent.
If the band is expected to make announcements or introductions, let them know ahead of time so they’re prepared.
Make sure your band is prepared to play pre-recorded music during breaks if necessary. Silence kills momentum and a simple playlist keeps the energy going while the band rests. Most bands have their own set break playlists but are also open to couples providing their own.
How Much Does a Wedding Band Cost in New OrleansExpect to pay a deposit to lock in your wedding band. This amount is often non-refundable, as the band will stop accepting inquiries for your date once it’s confirmed.
If you need to adjust the time, it’s usually no problem but aim to make those changes at least 4 months in advance.
If you’d like to keep the party going past the contracted end time, most bands can do so for an additional fee, assuming the venue allows it.
Additionally, if the band is due the balance payment on the day of the wedding, we strongly recommend that the couple designate someone else to handle this payment before the performance.
Couples and immediate family members will be focused on the celebration itself, so coordinating this with a wedding party member, planner, trusted friend, or family member ensures it doesn’t get overlooked.
Check out our How Much Does a Wedding Band Cost in New Orleans for information on pricing.
New Orleans’ weather is unpredictable. Most venues and planners know to have a rain backup plan, moving indoors or setting up tents, but here’s something often overlooked:
⚠️ Electrical and equipment safety for the band.
While a tent may protect your guests, standing water near electrical wires creates serious hazards for musicians and gear. No one should be performing with live wires on wet ground.
Discuss this with your planner and venue in advance to make sure your band is as protected as your guests.
Hiring a New Orleans band for your wedding should feel exciting and not overwhelming. When done right, live music transforms your wedding into something magical, memorable, and uniquely yours.
At Big Easy Entertainment, we go beyond just sending a band. We help you plan the timing, the flow, the music, and the vibe — all while representing New Orleans culture with professionalism and care.
