1. How would you describe your style?
You need to figure out if their style will work with the vibe you're going for. If you want an elegant cocktail party with lots of casual conversation, a band that describes itself as "rock and roll with a whole lotta edge" is a music mismatch.
2. Can we come listen to you perform?
Seeing them perform live will give you the best idea about what your wedding entertainment would actually sound and feel like. While most musicians and the couples that hire them mutually agree in advance that the wedding is closed to prospective clients, some will have mini "concerts" for the public to attend and see whether they're a good fit or not.
3. Do you know our reception space and its acoustic, power and amplification requirements? If not, will you check it out beforehand?
Your musicians may need an extension cord, backup generator or other supplies, and it's important to know this beforehand. If they don't want to check out your venue, cross them off your list.
4. Can you play the songs that are important to us (such as a traditional Jewish hora tune or a favorite pop hit)?
The band or DJ should be able to play, learn or download any tune you'd like. If a band says "yes," but they'll need to learn and/or arrange it, ask them if they'll charge for that.
5. How many musicians are in the band, and available? How many vocalists? Are there different options as far as how many musicians/instruments we can hire?
If you're interviewing a DJ, you want to know if they work with a partner, and if it's a band, who exactly would be there on the day of. Note: Hiring only a portion of an amazing band is a smart way to stick to a strict budget.
6. Would we need to rent any instruments (a piano, for example) or equipment (extra speakers or a stage)?
Find out exactly what equipment they bring, and what you need to rent (or borrow from the venue). You'll also want to know if you'll have to hide equipment if it's particularly unsightly (with draping, for instance). You want your wedding to be a beautiful event, not look like an electronics store.
7. Do you plan to use lighting or any other special effects?
Beyond music, some pros may bring special lighting and/or effects, like a fog machine, while others will stick to the tunes. If your pro does amp up his performance with specific effects, they may be standard or they may cost extra, so ask and get all prices written into your contract.
8. Who will do the setup?
The day of the wedding, someone needs to set up the sound system—usually a person from the company supplying the music. You'll need to give the name of the person to the venue coordinator and arrange a time that works for everyone.
9. How do you ensure a comfortable sound level for all the guests?
You want to have a plan for dealing with volume control and sound-sensitive guests. Here's the deal: What your 14-year-old cousin thinks is the perfect volume is different from what your 89-year-old grandma is willing to put up with. If you have a fun dance-off going, you don't want people who aren't participating to have to shout like they're at a crowded bar.
10. What do you typically wear?
A potential band or DJ will usually have several professional choices for you to pick from, such as a tuxedo or simple coordinated outfits, like black shirts and slacks.
It doesn't hurt to ask! Be prepared and devour the details of the best music for your wedding day by asking these top 10 questions from The Knot.
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