Does anyone know of a good band in VA?

[Am3na]

Looking for a good band with music to preview online at in available May 1 04, and will travel to Hotsprings, VA (The Homestead). This is a day wedding starting at 11:00. The ceremony will be outside, and the reception is inside. I will only need for a few hours (5-6 at max). I may want to use a band to perform the ceremony music as well.

Looking for band with signers, and classical bands with or without signers?

[Sal0612]

I'm in VA too, just planning to ask some college orchestra students to form a string quartet. I'll save money and they'll get references/money/free food.

[Am3na]

Thank you for the suggestion. However, I am not sparing money for my wedding. I have a budget, but I am not sacrificing anything. (Example: Instead of spending a lot of money on flowers for the reception. I am paying the florist to move all my flowers from the ceremony to the reception. Which was a lot more reasonable. Another cost saving ideas was to cut the reception time to 2 hours and have the wedding in the day; no alcohol.) I do not what to hire anyone, including a band that has not serviced a wedding in the past.
They may not know when to play and went not to, and I do not have anyone to watch over them or let them when to play and when to stop. I would not hire anyone to watch them either; that would be a waste of money.

All of my wedding vendors have/will have a contract with the time to be at my wedding and the location. I will not hire anyone without a contract. They may decide at the last minute they cannot show. Then I would have no music for my ceremony or reception.

Thanks again, but to risky for me.

[Sal0612]

I'm not too worried about stopping/starting times when they're playing as long as they get the ceremony part right. :) I'll draw up a contract with them and require that they be able to find me a backup if they have to cancel at the last minute.

I'm trying to keep costs down too -- no alcohol, afternoon wedding on a weekday, wedding in a garden to reduce cost of decorations, reception at same place as ceremony, making my own centerpieces.

I need some good money-saving ideas for catered food.

[Am3na]

Defenitly get that contract signed. Include location, start/stop times, and a break up plan (they find a replacement if they can not show.)

Sounds like you got it all under control. :D That is great!

Off the top of my head I can not think of many ways to save on food.
However, I do know a few:
Go with a buffet not a plated meal

This is from the article "Budget Wise" at Onewed at I posted. Hope it helps:
"Caterer: Cuisine costs
You can choose a sit-down pay per plate option or a buffet style pay per item reception. You may be thinking of a dinnertime multi-course meal or an afternoon luncheon. Any way you go will find food is is not cheap; in fact this could be the biggest expense of your wedding. There are many options available ask to view the options or tell the caterers you are interested in your catering budget; they will more then likely are happy to hear from you.


Here are a few ways to save:
Choose Drop-off catering this is when your caterer delivers already prepared food and sets it up. Purchase foods at are self-servable or ask some friends to play the waiters roles. If a friend, family member, or you have the time and the know-how you may what to cater the reception yourself. You can even make in like a picnic were everyone is required to bring a food item.
Buy wholesale wine and beer instead of liquor or offering mixed drinks. "


For more ways to save on food try putting up a post for Caterers to reply to, post in this area (Vendor Chat.)

[elegantevents]

Hi There:

Not sure if you are still looking for a band, but I've got some suggestions. I'm a wedding planner here in Virginia. Give me a call or email me.

Thanks!

[Am3na]

Thanks, but my wedding was on May 1st 2004!

I found a great band through Complete Music called Adrian Duke (http://www.adrianduke.com/). They are a great jazz band. They provided music for my ceremony and recepetion.