In this episode of The Wedding Band Show Brian has a great chat with Fergal Fay the founder of the Irish Dance Troupe, Celtic Dance Fusion.

How Celtic Dance Fusion Started?

Fegal got his start in Irish dancing through his mum and being brought along to her classes as she was an Irish Dance teacher in Dublin. His dad was a founding member of The Chieftains so he was mainly on tour at the time.

He came up with the idea for Celtic Dance Fusion after his mum's anniversary party at The Olympia Theatre in Dublin. That night the dancing show was such a success Fergal decided to put an act together and started with 10 Irish dancers in Dublin. He now has a Troupe of dancers in the west, and the north of Ireland and about 35 Irish dancers in Leinster!
Celtic Dance Fusion can perform at 4 different weddings each night.

What’s The Best Time For Irish Dancers?

Fergal thinks that the best time to get your Irish Dancers to perform at your wedding is before the first dance. At this time you may still have your photographer and videographer there so the performance will be captured as part of your wedding video.
Because their show is very interactive it is also a great way to get the crowd going for the band. It never makes sense to have a Wedding Band perform for a few minutes and stop again for Irish Dancers. Getting dancers on during the buffet break is very common but sometimes the guests need a break at this stage and the dances might not get the full attention.

How To Find Great Irish Dancers?

It is always best to catch Irish Dancers performing live if possible.
Most of the couples that book Celtic Dance Fusion find them online through WeddingSuppliers.ie and WeddingsOnline.ie 

They currently have about over 145 5-Star Reviews on Weddings Online and have recently picked up an award from Wedding Suppliers.ie. They also have multiple UK awards. 

For bookings or to find out more information check out Celtic Dance Fusion here,

Website - https://celticdancefusion.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CDFirishdancers/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/celticdancefusion/

The Wedding Band Show is hosted by Brian McDermott from the Brian McDermott Band. 

This podcast, available on YouTube in video format or as an audio podcast on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts, is your ultimate guide to finding the perfect Wedding Band.

Join Brian as he talks with some of the top wedding suppliers, photographers, videographers, and experts, sharing tips and advice to help you create your dream wedding. Whether you're in the early stages of planning or just need a little inspiration, The Wedding Band Show is here to help. So, tune in and make your wedding day a truly unforgettable experience with The Wedding Band Show."

View more episodes here,
https://www.youtube.com/BrianMcDermottChannel

You can listen to the Wedding Band Show here,
https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/the-wedding-band-show/

The show is produced by Pixel Productions,
Pixel Productions - https://pixelproductions.ie/

Always a great idea to use your wedding date as the reference on your banking app!



The Brian Mc Dermott Band,

Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/BrianMcDermottChannel

Band Site - https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brian_mc_dermott/


For more episodes of The Wedding Band Show,

Listen Here or Watch Here

Produced by Pixel Productions - https://pixelproductions.ie/

A quick little tip from Brian about double-checking your wedding booking and making sure your wedding suppliers are locked in for your big day!




The Brian Mc Dermott Band,

Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/BrianMcDermottChannel

Band Site - https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brian_mc_dermott/


For more episodes of The Wedding Band Show,

Listen Here or Watch Here

Produced by Pixel Productions - https://pixelproductions.ie/

Just a quick mention for the Weddsonline.ie survey that recently came out. According to the survey, the average price for a wedding band in 2022 was €2,247 which I would say maybe slightly on the low side.

Every band is different so you can never judge them by price alone. If I was working out my wedding budget for 2023 / 2024 I would include a price of €2500 for the wedding band which gives you some more room to find the perfect band.

You can view the survey here,
https://www.weddingsonline.ie/blog/weddingsonline-survey-2023/


You can check out The Brian Mc Dermott Band here,

Youtube Channel -  https://www.youtube.com/BrianMcDermottChannel

Website -  https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brian_mc_dermott/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thebrianmcdermottband/

Long Time Coming Band - the best in wedding entertainment! Based in Co. Louth, Ireland, this 5-piece band has over 26 years of experience in providing exceptional live music for weddings.

With a personalized approach, they will work with you to tailor their set list to your preferences. Not just a band, they also offer a full DJ and sax package, ceremony and drinks reception music, and top-notch equipment for a quick 22-minute setup. Follow Alan's advice for finding the perfect wedding band and reach out to Long Time Coming Band via their website, social media, or Youtube for a truly unforgettable experience. Book them now for the best wedding entertainment around!"

Get the best wedding entertainment with Long Time Coming Band. Expertly crafted generalist set, stunning equipment, and flexible packages. Book now!

Use these links to get in touch with Long Time Coming Band,
Website -  https://longtimecoming.ie/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/longtimecomingweddingband/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ltcweddingband/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsfuCPYJih9T23HZb9z-7fw

- - - - - -

The Wedding Band Show is hosted by Brian McDermott from the Brian McDermott Band.

This podcast, available on YouTube in video format or as an audio podcast on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts, is your ultimate guide to finding the perfect Wedding Band.

Join Brian as he talks with some of the top wedding suppliers, photographers, videographers, and experts, sharing tips and advice to help you create your dream wedding. Whether you're in the early stages of planning or just need a little inspiration, The Wedding Band Show is here to help. So, tune in and make your wedding day a truly unforgettable experience with The Wedding Band Show."

View more episodes here,
https://www.youtube.com/BrianMcDermottChannel

You can listen to the Wedding Band Show here,
https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/the-wedding-band-show/

The show is produced by Pixel Productions,
Pixel Productions - https://pixelproductions.ie/

"Are you having trouble organizing your wedding? Look nowhere else! We'll be giving some advice on how to get the most out of going to a wedding expo in this video. First and foremost, get there early to avoid the crowds and to begin your search for the ideal vendors for your special occasion. Be confident and approachable; the vendors are there to assist you in planning the wedding of your dreams. Don't rush; take your time so you don't miss any crucial sources. You'll need to pay a booking fee to guarantee your selected vendor's availability, so be prepared for that. Keep in mind to make preparations in advance and to research the vendors who will

Check out The Brian Mc Dermott Band for more advice like this,
https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/

Should I have Irish dancers at my wedding?

I think it’s nice to have them but the timing is very important!

I’d recommend getting them on during the tea break or even before the first dance. It’s never a good idea to start the band and then have to stop after 15 or 20 minutes to let them perform…That just breaks up the band set and loses playing time!

Another important thing is to make sure your irish dancers bring the right cables to connect to a mixing desk. Sometimes a band member will just be handed a phone or iPod and they mightn’t always have the right connection.

I also want to give a quick shoutout to Fergal from Celtic Dance Fusion. They were on with us a few weeks ago in Galway and he called me a few days before to ask if was ok to use the PA System and again a few days after the wedding to say thanks which was a nice touch! They are well worth checking out http://www.celticdancefusion.com/

So I’d say have Irish dancers at your wedding. They do add a nice touch but it’s just very important to get them on at the right time as to not take away from your band or DJ!

If you are looking for a Wedding Band for a 2022 wedding you should check out https://weddingbandassociation.ie/

It's a great site where you can submit your details and only hear from the Wedding Bands that are available on your date. 

This is a quick little episode to explain how some bands can take far too long to set up for weddings!

In this episode, I had a great chat with Mark Kennedy from the wedding band Hot Fuss. 

Mark is the bass player in the band and also sings.

Hot Fuss is a Galway-based wedding band and most of the band live in Portumna. The band recently won an award from WeddingsOnline.ie and have been performing at weddings since about 2010. The band plays all over Ireland and Mark explains that their most regular area to cover is probably Cork & Kerry. The band was set up originally as a pub band and over the years have transformed into a wedding band. 
As Mark claims, Hot Fuss really are Irelands Top Number One Premier Wedding Band 😁

Hot Fuss Set List Style

Mark talks about how Hot Fuss always tries to find a balance in their setlist so that they can appeal to crowds on the cover scene but also have full dancefloors when they perform at weddings. The band usually play about 30 minutes of Jives and Waltzes at the beginning of a wedding but this can always change depending on the crowd. Hot Fuss also has the ability to perform a 2-hour rock set if needed. Mark also says that you need to give the crowd credit because most of the older guests still appreciate well-performed rock and disco classics and they will enjoy them as much as jives and waltzes. The other thing to consider is that young people will Jive at weddings if the songs are played well!

Hot Fuss has performed at hundreds of weddings so Mark recommends that a couple should relax and let the band do what they do best which will keep the dancefloor full all night.

You can find the episode that Mark references about learning the first dance here!

Hot Fuss Band Wedding Packages 2021

Hot Fuss Band has several different wedding packages available. Because Mark also has a one-man show he can provide the music for the drinks reception at a wedding. The band can also include a disco and Johnny the guitar player is also a professional wedding DJ.

Another option which has become popular is Mark Kennedy performing his one-man show instead of a disco. In this scenario, all the wedding guests can move back to the hotel bar after the band, relax and join in on a singsong if they wish. It’s a great idea and would work great for Irish weddings with smaller crowd sizes.

Hot Fuss Wedding Band Reviews

You can check out real reviews from wedding couples of the Hot Fuss Wedding Band HERE

For information on the Hot Fuss Wedding Band use these links,

Website - https://www.hotfussband.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HotFussBand

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hotfussband

Email - hotfussbookings@gmail.com

Call - 0868225296

To find out more information about The Brian Mc Dermott Band use these links,

Wedding Band - https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thebrianmcdermottband/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brian_mc_dermott/

Video Work - https://pixelproductions.ie/

Top 4 reasons people book Flog The Dog (2021)

Flog The Dog are a Kerry Wedding Band but they perform for weddings all over Ireland.
In this episode of The Wedding Band Show, I caught up with Steve from the band to talk about the top 4 reasons people book Flog The Dog for their wedding.
 
Reasons To Book Flog The Dog?
1 - Music Style
2 - Crowd Interaction
3 - Reviews
4 - Easy Booking Process
 
Not Just A Kerry Wedding Band!
Even though the band originates from Co. Kerry the members are based all over Ireland and perform at weddings in every corner of the country. The current lineup of the band includes Steve on Guitar & Vocals, Ciara on Fiddle & Keyboards, Mick Ivory on Bass & Vocals, and Brian Harte on Drums. 


Flog The Dog Music Style?
When asked Steve would explain the band’s wedding setlist to a couple as “we play modern music and tradify it”. Most of the heavy guitar in popular songs like ‘Sex On Fire’ by Kings Of Leon are replaced by acoustic guitar and fiddle parts. The band is probably best known for its interaction with the crowd and this has lead to numerous great wedding reviews. Steve says that wedding couples love when the band calls out guests and has fun with them during the night.


Wedding Setlist
The band is extremely flexible with their setlist and loves to have couples make requests. Steve acknowledges that the band can’t do every cover of a first song justice with a tradify approach so he will consult with couples before the big day. If he feels that the band might murder a song he will present several other options of songs that they do really well. If the couple still can’t decide on a first dance the band can always play it using Spotify through the PA system. Playing a first dance song on a CD is never a bad thing because most guests don’t even notice! You can check out more on this issue in another episode here
 Steves talks about how every wedding is different and that’s the main reason Flog The Dog are so flexible. Some wedding couples might ask the band not to play a ‘Siege Of Ennis’ and then the next wedding might love when it’s included.
 The band has started putting together a ‘90’s set which they will have ready for their next live gigs.


Siege Of Ennis At Weddings?
Steve explains the Siege Of Ennis is most popular for weddings in Kerry, Cork, Clare and a little bit of Limerick. The band has played it for guests from the UK and Australia and has had great fun explaining to the guests how it’s done as they haven’t a clue what’s going on!
 

Wedding Packages?
Flog The Dog have 4 wedding packages including,
- Ceremony Music
- Drinks Reception
- Band
- Disco
They can’t always source other musicians and if a couple would like a DJ & Sax option they can supply that too. Sometimes they might not be able to take a booking for the full day if they have another full day package far away the day before so make sure to contact them as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!

 
For information on the Flog The Dog Wedding Band use these links,
Website - https://www.flogthedog.com/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOXWHxFlC43w37NCSY0xaQ
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/flogthedog/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/flogthedog/
Email - steve@flogthedog.com
Call - 0863913082
 
To find out more information about The Brian Mc Dermott Band use these links,
Wedding Band - https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thebrianmcdermottband/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brian_mc_dermott/
Video Work - https://pixelproductions.ie/

Get More Bookings (With Alan Berg)

This is a special episode of The Wedding Band Show because I have an international speaker who has helped countless wedding suppliers around the world improve their wedding businesses!


- Who is Alan Berg?
With more than 25 years in sales, marketing, and sales management, Alan Berg has been called “The Leading International Expert on the Business of Weddings & Events”. He’s the wedding and event industry’s only Certified Speaking Professional™ and one of only 36 Global Speaking Fellows worldwide!
Alan has extensive sales, sales management, and marketing experience ranging from publishing two wedding magazines to Vice President of Sales at The Knot. He’s an Education Expert for WeddingPro and consults for major industry websites in Ireland, Dubai, India, Australia, the UK, as well as countless venues, hotels, bridal shops, planners, entertainers, and more.
Alan has presented in 14 countries, 5 of them in Spanish (which he taught himself), and is the author of 5 books. He speaks to thousands of entrepreneurs and business professionals every year through webinars, live presentations, and on-site sales training.

Here are Alan’s social handles and links:
Facebook Profile:  https://www.facebook.com/alanberg1
Facebook Page:   https://www.facebook.com/AlanBergspeaker/
Instagram: @alanberg
Twitter: @alanberg
LinkedIn:  @alanberg  https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanberg/
Alan’s Website: www.AlanBerg.com
Alan’s Online Shop: www.ShopAlanBerg.com
Alan’s Amazon.com Author’s Page: www.AlanBerg.guru

In this episode, Alan talks about the most common problems he finds with a wedding supplier's website. He explains the four important things you need in place on every website!

- Aspirational Image - You should have images that show the results of hiring you as a Wedding Band or Wedding Supplier

- Talk to a couple about the results - Use the words ‘you’ and ‘your’. What will your wedding band do for the couple that others won't?

- Social Proof - Show reviews from wedding couples who have already had your band perform at their wedding. It’s not always necessary to show the full review but instead use snippets throughout your website.

- Call to action - Nobody can see an entire website page on mobile so you should have a call to action on several parts of your page. Tell a wedding couple what to do after they have checked out your promotional material. Ask them to call you for a quote, email you for details, request a consultation etc.

Pricing On Your Website?
A large wedding website in the USA called WeddingWire recently did a survey and found out 88% of wedding couples are looking for a price before they reach out to a wedding professional! Alan gives advice on how to deal with the issues including the idea of a starting price or price range!

Wedding Advertising?
Every Wedding Industry Professional has suffered significant financial losses in 2020 and 2021 but Alan speaks to the importance of keeping your wedding advertising alive and possibly increasing your investment if possible on sites like WeddingsOnline.ie

How Alan Berg can help your business?
If you have found this episode helpful you really should check out Alan’s website and contact him about a consultation. He has several great offers including very affordable group consultations. His advice has helped me increase my sales and improve my website for new wedding clients!

Booking A Wedding Band Online?

On this episode of The Wedding band Show show, I talk about the best way to book a wedding band online and important things to look out for. I’m joined again by Aobh Pollard from Electric Blue Band.

 Where to start your search?

Because wedding couples can't get to see bands in a live situation the next question is where should they start their search. Aobh thinks that if she was starting out her search for a wedding band the first place she would go would be Google. In general, Facebook is saturated with wedding bands and it's very hard to narrow down your search to find the best ones. 

One thing that Brian has against the Facebook groups is that when somebody is looking for a band there are far too many replies.  Aobh also has a social media and advertising background and she finds Facebook groups very frustrating. 

Wedding Band Association
(https://weddingbandassociation.ie/)

The wedding band Association is another website that they would recommend as a starting point when looking for a band online. The Wedding Band Association also has a deposit transfer scheme in place which means other bands will take on a booking without the couple having to pay a second deposit. 

Important things to look for!

All Wedding Bands look similar online so what are a few different things you should look for to find the best ones? Brian always tells couples to seek out live videos as much as possible and particularly videos that involve guests dancing on the dance floor. Aobh always prefers to get couples to an Electric Blue Showcase because she doesn't think videos do a live band any justice and can't capture the atmosphere. She understands that wedding bands need promo videos but in reality, bands can sound completely different live. 

 What about wedding industry awards?

Electric Blue also joined One Fab Day and Weddingsonline in 2021 and is actually up for an award with Weddingsonline. Aobh admits that they invested a lot in the media build but she is delighted with the way it has boosted the band's profile. Brian thinks that awards should be taken with a pinch of salt and they both agree that the only way to judge a band is by a live performance.

For information on the Electric Blue Wedding Band use these links,

Website - https://electricblue.ie/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ETToWYhMWSyemgO-WmpHg

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ElectricBlueirl/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/electricblueirl/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ElectricblueIRL

To find out more information about The Brian Mc Dermott Band use these links,

Wedding Band - https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thebrianmcdermottband/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brian_mc_dermott/

Video Work - https://pixelproductions.ie/

On Today's episode of The Wedding band Show show, I caught up with Aobh Pollard from the Irish wedding band Electric Blue. 

About Electric Blue

Electric Blue is a 5-piece wedding band based in Dublin, Ireland.  They are an 80’s, 90’s, and noughties tribute band but play everything needed for a great wedding set. Everything from Mustang Sally to Galway Girl! The band's favourite genre is the cheesy 80s type stuff and Aobh makes the other guys in the band play these every week even though they're heavy rockers at heart. Aobh is a very interactive frontwoman in the band and sometimes joins the crowd on the floor for a conga line. Electric Blue plays all over Ireland, everywhere from Donegal to Cork. The band was originally called Runaway Baby.

Wedding Packages

Electric Blue Wedding Band will tailor a wedding package to suit any couple and they can include ceremony music, drinks reception and they even have a disco and sax option! They work with several professional DJ’s including Joey Hedderman and Trevor Matthews from Midland DJs. Electric blue will only ever book one wedding per day!

2020 For The Band

Aobh explains how 2020 has given the band time to focus on their new website and they have been rehearsing as much as possible. Usually, the band meets in the studio so without that option it has felt somewhat lonely. However, as Aobh explains the constant communication has made the band stronger and closer than ever. 

 The band was quite shocked when they lost all their Christmas gigs in March 2020 and soon realized that the situation was more serious than they first thought. Like most people, Aobh is very grateful for the extra family time that has come out of 2020.

Electric Blue Live

Electric Blue performs all their first dances live and even records the first song for couples if that’s something they want to keep. Aobh explains that because couples can’t get to see the band live, the best option to see and hear the band would be to visit their Facebook page. They have lots of short live clips from real weddings and it shows you exactly how the band keeps a dance floor full. The band's last promo video includes music from the genres they specialize in including the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s. Aobh is a rocker chick but she loves cheesy music like S Club 7 & Five. 

Aobh is fully convinced the wedding industry will bounce back better than ever and she’s hoping that more wedding businesses including bands won’t have to fold before it does. She is also delighted to see some new wedding acts come onto the scene in Ireland.

Electric Blue In Under 60 Seconds

Name of the band? 

Electric Blue

How many members are in the band? 

5

Where are Electric Blue based and do they travel nationwide? 

Dublin & yes!

What kind of music do you play?

80’s, 90’s, 00’s and modern chart music. Basically, anything you like!

Can you learn a couple's first dance?

Yes, we specialize in that.

Can a couple decide on the setlist?

To a degree, a couple can add requests.

Is it always the same members in the band?
Yes

How long does it take you to set up?
About 30 to 40 minutes.

How long does the band perform for?

2 & 1/2 hours.

Do you provide ceremony music?

Yes.

Do you have a disco package?

We do

Contact

On this week’s episode of The Wedding Band Show, I chatted with Fergal Harmon from the Bridal Wave Wedding Band.

Bridal Wave is a 4-piece wedding band based in Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Leitrim but they perform at weddings all over Ireland. The band started playing the pubs and clubs about 15 years ago and they moved into weddings around 2016. A lot of their fan base at this time started to get married and wanted Bridal Wave as their band.

Fergal believes that because the band cut their teeth playing in the pubs and clubs scene it has helped them develop as a wedding band. 

Fergal is the lead singer with Bridal Wave but because he used to have a one-man show before joining the band he has a lot of experience in singing most of the set and reading a crowd. He believes that over time the strength of his voice developed and he was able to pace himself to perform for long periods of time without any issues.

What kind of music does Bridal Wave play?

Similar to most professional wedding bands Bridal Wave performs a set that covers all types of music. The band will talk with a couple before the wedding to find out what kind of music they enjoy and then tailor the setlist to suit. Because of their pub and club performing experience they have a large repertoire to pull from. After playing weddings for five years the band now knows what works and doesn't work and can adapt the set on the night. As Fergal says, a song that you play at a wedding one night might work but that same song might bomb at a wedding the following night! 

Bridal Wave Band & Disco Package.

Bridal Wave also offers a disco package and Fergal is the DJ. When the band moves into a venue they set up the band and disco equipment at the same time. This also means that there is no break between the band and the disco set. Fergal finds that’s it’s easier for wedding couples if they can book the disco package with their band as they don’t have to look around at so many different suppliers.  Another major benefit of having the band look after your disco is that the DJ is already familiar with the crowd and knows what kind of songs will keep the dance floor full. 

If you can’t get to see Bridal Wave live they do have excellent promotional videos online and Fergal believes that word of mouth is their best promotional tool. 

Brian says that to talking to wedding couples on a zoom call is actually his new favourite way of communication with new clients. It puts a face to a name and the couple gets a better idea of you as a wedding supplier,  very similar to a wedding fair!

When it comes to social media Bridal Wave has a large following on Instagram and Fergal states that this is probably one of the best platforms for communication with couples. If you'd like to find out more information on the Bridal Wave Wedding Band make sure to check out their Instagram page where you can view all the latest information.

How to contact Bridal Wave Wedding Band?

For information on the Bridalwave Wedding Band use these links,

Website - https://bridalwaveband.com/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaogXBe7mbT8t-TbwkXR_5A

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bridalwaveband/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bridal_wave_band

To find out more information about The Brian Mc Dermott Band use these links,

Wedding Band - https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thebrianmcdermottband/

Instagram -

How to move your wedding suppliers to a new date...with  Blue Moose

On this episode of The Wedding Band Show, I talked with Tony Ward from Blue Moose Wedding Band about the easiest way to move your wedding suppliers to a new date!

The first step?
So if you are a wedding couple that has to move your wedding because of restrictions what's the first thing you should do? Tony breaks down the three categories of wedding couples. 

- 6 Wedding Guest
The first category is couples who want to go ahead with the wedding even if there are only 6 guests. In this case, they won’t want live music and should just contact their band to inform them of the cancellation. Usually, this means that you lose your deposit.

- 25 to 50 Wedding Guests
The second category is people who are waiting to see if 25 or 50 guests will be allowed. The best thing to do in this case is to wait until the next official announcement. It's not a bad idea to have a ‘Plan B’ in place in case the restrictions are not lifted in time.

- 100+ Wedding Guests
The third category is couples who just want to postpone and don't want the stress of worrying about their guest list numbers. In this situation, the best advice is to go to your venue first and get a list of four or five available dates. Once you have the available dates Tony suggests you send one email by cc’ing all your wedding suppliers on it.
 Then all you have to do is sit back and wait for the replies. Once every supplier has emailed you back you can look at everybody's available dates and move to do date that most of your suppliers are available for. One major advantage to this is that you get to keep most of your preferred suppliers that you've already worked hard to source. You also won't lose as much money in terms of deposits which are usually non-refundable!

The wrong way to move a wedding date?
The alternative to this is to pick one date and then email every supplier individually to check they're available. In this case, there is a great chance that you are going to lose some of your preferred wedding suppliers and also deposits! It also means that you have to go back to stage 1 and research wedding suppliers who are available for your new date.

Wedding Band Association Deposit Scheme
Blue Moose is also a member of the Wedding Band Association which means that if they are not available for your new date your original deposit can be transferred over to another band in the WBA.  https://weddingbandassociation.ie/

A Wedding Band For 25 Guests?
On the point of wedding couples worrying about having a band for 25 guests Tony still recommends that you should have bands when it's allowed. He explained that if it's a case of a budget problem because you're having a smaller wedding just talk to your suppliers and they might be able to help you out. He is also aware of the fact that everybody thinks of Blue Moose as a big rock band but they will adapt to suit a smaller crowd. 

How to contact Blue Moose?
For information on Blue Moose use these links,
Website - https://www.bluemoose.ie/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr8uTwqw-Nt23WbxfdSf7-w
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluemooseband
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluemooseband/

To find out more information about The Brian Mc Dermott Band use these links,
Wedding Band - https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thebrianmcdermottband/
Instagram -

Who are Blue Moose?

On this week's episode of the wedding band show, I chatted with Tony Ward from the Blue Moose band. Tony started Bluemoose about 21 years ago with a friend called Bobby O'Hara. They met while working in a hotel in Wexford and quickly discovered they both had a love for playing music. Shortly after that, they entered a local music competition. They won the competition and left the hotel business behind! Even though the band started out as a covers band they also started to play at weddings from about 2007. Because the Blue Moose fanbase was getting older they now wanted them and as their wedding band!

- Cover band to wedding band?
In recent times there is a very thin line between a cover band and a wedding band, so Blue Moose didn't have to change their set too much. After one bad experience early on the band went into rehearsals and put a wedding set together that would suit all types of crowds. As Tony explains, some bands don't like to play waltzes because they think it's not cool,  however, it's always great to have them in case the wedding guests want to waltz on any particular night.
As Brian says, a little waltz mix is always nice to give the rest of the guests a 5-minute break from dancing!

- What kind of music will you get with Blue Moose?
If a couple contacts Blue Moose and asks what type of music do you play, Tony’s answer is usually anything from Abba to AC/DC! The band doesn't have one set that they play every night and they change it up depending on the wedding guests. Tony goes on to say that a wedding band shouldn't hit the crowd hard for the first 30-minutes because then there will be a big lul. It's always better to keep the floor full all night instead of just some busy parts.
 Bluemoose has a very broad setlist and in the initial consultation with a wedding couple, Tony or Bobby get a good feel for the music they want at their wedding. Tony and Brian both agree that one of the most important jobs for any wedding band is to read the crowd!

- Blue Moose Showcases?
Because of the current situation wedding couples are finding it hard to view wedding bands live. One great thing about Blue Moose is that they recorded some live wedding showcases a few years ago. This means that any bride or groom can hear precisely what the Band sounds like even without seeing them live!

- Blue Moose Wedding Packages?
As well as the live band Blue Moose now offers an all-day wedding package.  They introduced this package in 2020 and it runs from the ceremony music up until the disco.
They bring in a female vocalist for the ceremony music. The drinks reception is an acoustic set with guitar, piano, sax, and clarinet. You can even add percussion and bass too if you’d prefer. Another option on the Bluemoose all-day package is to include a sax player with the DJ set.

- How to contact Blue Moose?

For information on Blue Moose use these links,
Website - https://www.bluemoose.ie/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr8uTwqw-Nt23WbxfdSf7-w
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluemooseband
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluemooseband/


To find out more information about The Brian Mc Dermott Band use these links,
Wedding Band - https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thebrianmcdermottband/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brian_mc_dermott/
Video Work - https://pixelproductions.ie/

End of year message!

Hi everybody I hope you're keeping well just wanted to put out a short podcast to wish everybody Happy Christmas and a great New Year from everyone at The Brian Mc Dermott Band.

It's definitely been a weird year and has had a really bad effect on a lot of businesses especially in the wedding industry but hopefully, things will be back to normal in the next 6 months.

I want to say a big thank you to all the wedding couples who have us booked and in fairness, every one of the couples who has had to move their wedding has been super nice to deal with. To any of the couples who are having their wedding in the first half of 2021, my advice would be to see what January brings and get in touch then if you think you might need to move again. Hopefully, this Christmas lockdown and vaccine arriving will mean that bigger numbers can happen in early 2021.

We are still working away behind the scenes or a few projects and we have a new song that we're going to release in January,  we're just trying to think of a video idea.

The wedding band show will also be back in January,  I was hoping to get a few more episodes in before the end of the year but it’s just super busy on the video side with Pixel Productions.

I don't like putting out the episodes just for the sake of it...I prefer to plan the episodes so we get to learn more about the guests! 

I want to also say a big thanks to the guys in the band Kiev, Mick, Marie & Miki...It's been a terrible year but they’re still always ready to help and do everything they can.

Have a great Christmas and here's to an amazing 2021, Brian

Eilish Egan from VIP Weddings & Ballina Blossoms

In this episode of The Wedding Band show, I caught up with Eilish Egan from VIP weddings and the new Ballina Blossoms. Eilish is based in Enniscrone Co.Sligo and has been providing wedding decor in the area for several years. In June 2020 she opened a flower shop that caters to weddings, funerals, Christmas, and all special occasions.

How has the lockdown changed her business?

Because of the current lockdown, she explains that couples have cut back on the decor for the ceremony and reception. She is hopeful that it will come around again and she believes that people are going to spend more money on high-quality wedding items in the future.

Eilish has worked at several weddings under the current restrictions and is finding that bouquet preservation is extremely popular these days. This is where she takes back the bouquet the day after the wedding, dries it out, and gives it back to the bride in a frame that makes the perfect keepsake.

Most of Eilish's weddings for December 2020 have moved but she is actually booked out from March 2021. 

Ballina Blossom's business model!

Her new business model with the flower shop is focused on delivery because she realised that some guys might be shy about collecting a bouquet of flowers in the middle of a town. 

She also launched her handmade silk wreaths on the 1st of November.

Flower trend for 2021?

When it comes to wedding trends, Eilish believes that green and white may still be the most popular colour for another year and that blossom trees may not be as popular in 2021. 

In her own opinion, she thinks that smaller weddings can do a lot more on the decor side and that sometimes with a bigger crowd couples have to stretch themselves too much. You really can have that amazing Pinterest wedding with a smaller guest list!

On a positive note,

The best thing to come out of 2020 for Eilish has been some extra time off especially in May and June when she could enjoy the sunshine!

For information on VIP Weddings or Ballina Blossoms use these links,

Wedding Decor - https://myvipwedding.ie/

Ballina Blossoms - https://ballinablossoms.ie/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ballinablossomsmayo/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ballina_blossoms/

To find out more information about The Brian Mc Dermott Band use these links,

Wedding Band - https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thebrianmcdermottband/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brian_mc_dermott/

Video Work - https://pixelproductions.ie/

I was delighted to get a chance to catch up with Jason from Jason Nolan Wedding Films and Wild Caste Studios. 

On this live stream episode of The Wedding Band Show, I had a great chat with Jason Nolan from Jason Nolan Wedding Films and Wild Castle Studios. Jason Nolan is based in Castlebar Co. Mayo and has been shooting wedding films for several years.

Jason explained that normally he would do about 35 weddings a year but this year because of COVID he has only done about five. He has shot two weddings under the current restrictions one of which was for just 50 guests. Jason thinks that this was one of the nicest weddings he has ever shot. It was a really relaxed wedding and the ceremony was in the couple's living room.  The couple's aunt was actually the celebrant and they had a marquee outside for the reception. Jason jokes that because it was the first wedding he has had in months he dropped his camera and got his drone stuck in a tree. 

Brian agreed that weddings for 50 people can be a really nice experience but that maybe for only 25 guests it's difficult for couples to have the wedding they want. Jason was actually supposed to get married himself this year and said even though they were going to have a small wedding they got to 50 people on the guestlist really quickly. 

  As Jason explains, a wedding at its core is a celebration so it's very difficult for couples to go ahead under the current restrictions when they can't even have the first dance. 

Because of the temporary drop in weddings, Jason has moved more into live streaming events. He does have previous experience of this because as he has streamed several weddings in the past for couples whose grandparents or friends couldn't make the ceremony. He has always been interested in live streaming and has now invested a lot of money in a professional streaming setup. He has also worked on some live streaming of football matches with another well-known wedding videographer John Murphy. 

As Jason explains, weddings can be one of the most difficult live streams because of the short preparation time. He has also had to invest in a system that can bond together four different cellular signals to create one reliable connection for the live stream. He also uses multiple cameras for a wedding which produces a very professional-looking live stream for the viewers. The live streams are also recorded and can be edited after similar to a regular wedding video.

 A very popular live streaming service that Jason offers is funerals. This is a great solution for friends or family who cannot attend a funeral mass in Ireland. 

According to Jason most of the new wedding enquiries for video are now for 2022 but he is also hopeful that this pandemic may end soon. He thinks that there's no rush for couples who have dates for early 2021 to move their wedding.  As long as they're flexible with the dates they'll always find a future date keeping the same wedding suppliers. The most important thing is to get in touch with your wedding suppliers before confirming a new date. If Jason is not available for a new date he can hire another videographer to shoot the wedding and he will still edit the wedding film. 

Jason actually started out as a wedding photographer but began working with a videographer which helped him learn how to shoot weddings. In May 2014 he set up his own wedding videography website and almost immediately started getting bookings. Within one year he already had 54 wedding films in his diary.

On a positive note;

One of the positive things to come out of 2020 for Jason is the end of the editing backlog. In a regular year, he would have about 10 weddings to edit coming up to Christmas which can be a bit stressful.

It has also given him time to work on other&

On this live episode of The Wedding Band Show Live, I caught up with Ronnie Duignan from the Late Nite Radio wedding band. 

What are the band up to?
Ronnie told me that as a band they've been very busy because they have increased their video output online. The band started recording covers in April and have released over 17 videos to date. He said the band are going to keep putting out videos because now each member has a home studio setup. This is also great for learning new set material during a lockdown. The band have also been using this time to update their playlist and create new medleys for there wedding set. 

Weddings under restrictions!

Late Nite Radio has performed at two weddings under the current restrictions both of which were a great success. One of the weddings had 50 guests and the other wedding had 25 but they still had the same atmosphere as a wedding of about 200 guests. Ronnie believes some of this is because people haven't heard live music in so long and also says that being invited to a wedding with only 25 guests is a real privilege. He thinks that couples shouldn't shortchange themselves by cutting back on entertainment and that you can't beat a live wedding band. 

Brian believes that some couples may feel that a wedding band with 4 or 5 members may overwhelm a smaller crowd but as Ronnie explains most wedding bands PA systems are modular so they can scale it to suit any crowd size or venue. 

Finish time if 11:30pm

Ronnie says that the finish time for weddings of 11:30 p.m. is not an issue but the main concern that his couples are having is the 25 to 50 wedding guests. Ronnie and Brian both agree that weddings starting earlier is a good thing and if couples just have their ceremony a few hours earlier they will still fit in all the entertainment. 

How to move a wedding date?

Another important point that Ronnie highlights is that any couples thinking of changing their wedding date from 2021 to 2022 should get in touch with the wedding suppliers first to arrange an available date. It's always a good idea to get in contact with your suppliers before securing a second date. 

A positive note

On a positive note, Ronnie said that he has got to spend a lot more time with his kids in 2020 and has enjoyed that aspect of the lockdown. He has 4 young girls and is also teaching them music at home. As a band, he enjoys that they can record and release songs that they wouldn’t normally get to do.

To find out more information on Late Nite Radio visit,

https://lateniteradioband.com/

To see more episodes of The Wedding Band Show visit,

https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/wedding-band-blog/

Because of the current restrictions, I've decided to do some of ‘The Wedding Band Show’ episodes online.

In the first of these live episodes, I caught up with Richard Mc Carthy from Richard Mc Carthy Photography to talk about how the lockdown has affected his business.

Even though wedding photographers can work under the current restrictions of 25 people a lot of wedding couples from 2020 have moved their weddings forward to 2021 or 2022.
Richard is hopeful that most of the weddings and 2021 will still go ahead.

His advice to wedding couples for 2021 is to hold tight and hopefully there will be a vaccine at the end of this year.  if there is a vaccine most of the weddings in 2021 should be able to go ahead at bigger numbers and 2020.

Even though Richard isn't it as busy with the weddings he has expanded his photography business into property photography which is a growing market in Ireland.  He is also busy getting wedding frames and wedding albums ready for couples who got married in early 2020.

Richard does think that wedding DJ's should be allowed to play background music at wedding receptions even during a lockdown.  As he explains there is no difference between a DJ or a hotel staff member playing background music as long as there is no dancing.

Richard has had two weddings recently and he really enjoyed shooting both of them.  He explains that he had a lot more time with each couple to get the fantastic shots he wanted to. 
In a recent wedding, he got pictures of a bride on her horse galloping on a beach which would not be possible during a regular wedding day.



To contact Richard or to check out his wedding photography you can visit;
https://richardmccarthy.ie/

For more episode of The Wedding Band Show visit;
https://thebrianmcdermottband.ie/wedding-band-blog/

Should You Have A Wedding Band For 25 Guests?

In this special episode of The Wedding Band Show, I sat down with Dave & Gavan from the Wedding Band Hi-Fi who is based in Sligo. I started out by asking them how the pandemic has affected Hi-Fi as a band! Dave explained how they have taken a massive hit and have lost all work but the band is still in great spirits.

With regards to the size of wedding crowds as Dave explains it’s nothing new for a Wedding Band to perform for under 50 guests. He also says if it feels right for you to get married you should go ahead with the wedding because no experts can predict what’s going to happen. 

Gavan explains that there are two types of wedding couples, the ones who want to get married and the couples who just want to be married. And if you want to go ahead with your wedding with a smaller guest list Hi-Fi is still there to perform for your big day. Nearly all wedding venues can divide their function rooms to make the reception more intimate.  


Do The 25 Guests Include Suppliers?

The guys all agree that the 25 or 50 guests do not include your wedding suppliers but it’s a decision that is left up to each particular venue. You can talk to your venue and check if they will allow your guests and then the suppliers. Usually, by the time the band starts some of the wedding guests have already left the reception! 

One of the biggest problems for bands from Brians point of view is that they don’t know when this is going to end or when bigger crowds will be permitted at weddings in Ireland again. 
Both Hi-Fi and The Brian Mc Dermott Band have performed at several American Style Weddings in the past and each one has been a success and definitely a great idea for Irish weddings during the pandemic! At this style of reception, the guests can dance during the meal and the finish time can be 11:30 pm.


What About The 11:30 pm Finish?

One big concern wedding couples are having right now is that they are worried about the 11:30 pm finish time for all wedding entertainment. As the guys explain this can easily be fixed by bringing your meal forward and getting your wedding band to start earlier. Your Wedding Band & DJ can still do the exact same job on the night. 

Brian explains that he would always choose a live band over only having a disco but again it depends as each wedding is different. Gavan prefers to only DJ after a Hi-Fi wedding as the crowd is already on the dancefloor!

At one of their recent weddings, Gavan actually overheard the bride calling herself a ‘COVID Bride’ which may well be a badge of honor in years to come. As Dave says it should be considered a badge of honor as any couples who still manage to have their wedding in 2020 has had lots of hurdles to get over but still achieved it against all odds!

Wediversary!

Brian had an idea the night before recording the episode and he is calling it a Wediversay!
Basically, his idea is where a couple would video their smaller wedding ceremony during the restrictions and then on their first or second wedding anniversary they would show the video to all their friends on a large screen and have a big party similar to a wedding reception! The guy’s joke that couples would need to book Brians video production company https://pixelproductions.ie/


What About The Deposit?

Hi-Fi approaches deposits on a case-by-case basis and similar to The Brian Mc Dermott Band they have made their deposits 100% transferable. Dave explains that any member of the Wedding Band Association (WBA) will work less the deposit of another member band if a couple needs to move a date but their original band is unavailable for the new date.


In summary,

Start your wedding as early as possible to get the full show from your Wedding Band & Disco.
Wedding guests will still have a great night even at a smaller wedd

In this episode of The Wedding Band Show, I sat down with Ronnie Duignan from the wedding band Late Nite Radio to discuss the best types of music for a wedding.

So what is the best wedding band music and should a couple go for a cover band, country band, trad band?

When wedding couples call Ronnie and ask him what kind of music Late Nite Radio plays he always replies with the question, “what do you like?” If they like a lot of jiving or waltzing he can tailor the set to suit and leave out music that might not keep the guests dancing.

As cliche, as it sounds the music that works for a wedding, is basically party music. The best floor fillers are the hits from all down through the decades. The biggest hits of the ‘70s, ’80s, and ‘90s are still keeping wedding guests on the dancefloor today. When considering a wedding band you really need to choose a band that can cater for all ages and tastes and has the ability to play a wide variety of music.
If a wedding couple loves a particular genre of music or has a favourite band who might not suit a wedding crowd a great option is to have that band perform second. Sometimes it’s possible to set up a second stage which also has the added bonus of looking fantastic!



Some extra takeaways from this episode,

As a band, Ronnie thinks the key isn’t always the songs you play but the volume you play at.
As a wedding band, you sometimes need to adjust the volume to suit different genres of music. For example, older guests generally don’t mind a loud bass guitar or kick drum when you’re playing country music but might not enjoy a rock set at the same volume.

Sometimes you might hear about a band at a wedding where no guests were dancing and people may even comment that the band was ‘no good’. While this may be true it’s also possible that the band was excellent at what they were playing but their set just didn’t suit a wedding crowd.

In Brians's view, a wedding band can be more for the guests than the couple on the night. For most weddings, the couple is so busy talking with friends that they hear very little of what the band actually plays. After the wedding is over the most important thing is that the dance floor was full all night and the wedding guests enjoyed the entertainment.

Another little thing to consider is booking a band for the drinks reception. This helps to create an atmosphere early in the day and also has the added bonus of holding your guests at the wedding venue. Sometimes if a wedding venue is located in a town some guests may take a trip to a nearby pub!


In summary;
 
The best type of wedding reception music is general ‘Party Music’
A good Wedding Band can include every genre of music to suit all wedding guests.
Consider a second band instead of a disco if you have a favourite band that doesn’t usually perform at weddings.
A live band for the drinks reception is a great option.

To find out more information about the Late Nite Radio wedding band you can visit these links;
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lateniteradioband/
Website: https://lateniteradioband.com/

For more information about The Brian Mc Dermott Band;
Website: https://www.thebrianmcdermottband.ie/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_mc_dermott/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebrianmcdermottband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebrianmcdband

Wedding Entertainment Ideas (with Scruffy Duffy)

In this episode of The Wedding Band Show, I chatted with Scruffy Duffy (Martin Duffy) about different wedding entertainment ideas to inject some fun into your big day!

Don’t get stressed out…

According to Scruffy Duffy, the first and most important thing is to enjoy the day! Don’t get stressed out by the planning and don’t fall into the trap of going to every wedding fair until you’re fed up of seeing the wedding suppliers. By doing this you may end up booking suppliers who don’t suit your wedding but you just want an end to the planning stage.

Because there are so many different wedding suppliers one great idea is to sit down with a coffee and write down the type of wedding you want. Then match the suppliers to your list and make sure to only book the wedding professionals who can help create that vision.

Does the venue matter...

Having a fun wedding has nothing to do with the venue it’s held in. You can book a Hotel, Castle or your local golf club and still have the greatest wedding ever if you think outside the box. You can also step outside the norm without breaking the bank or increasing your wedding budget but it’s all about having the correct mindset.

The Drinks Reception…

The time of the drinks reception for an Irish wedding is usually 3pm to 5pm and this is one of the most overlooked parts of the day. 
Some of the entertainment suggestions that Scruffy Duffy has for this time would be;

• Trad Band
• Karaoke
• Sing Song
• Mini Talent Show
• Game Show Challenge
• Connect 4
• Jenga
• Mini Golf Games

All of these ideas are simple and don’t cost a fortune but more importantly, they create special memories. And speaking of memories, the drinks reception is an excellent time to get some video messages from the older guests...remember that usually, the wedding couple is off getting photographs taken for most of this time so a lot of peoples well wishes can be missed!

The Speeches...

There is always a choice of having the speeches before or after the meal but why not have them during the drinks reception? It’s a brilliant time to do this for several reasons. The main reason is there is no pressure on anyone who is speaking. It’s a far more relaxed and fun atmosphere than a silent function room full of people looking up at you! Another added bonus is that the kitchen staff can serve the meal without any delays or interruptions!

During The Meal...

During or directly after the meal can also have some entertainment and will help carry the fun element throughout the full day. Of coarse Scruffy Duffy is famous for his own Wedding Meal Show but you also have other options such as a Mentalist, Hypnotist or Singing Waiters.

Planning Is Important...

When adding different entertainment ideas to your wedding day, good planning is key!

Adding loads of different suppliers and ideas won’t work if it delays the day and takes away from the dancing at the end of the night. 

Summary;

• Don’t neglect the Drinks Reception when it comes to entertainment.
• Injecting fun into your wedding doesn’t have to cost a lot of money!
• Consider having the speeches during the Drinks Reception.
• Use your bridal party and don/t be afraid to ask them to help.

To find out more information about Scruffy Duffy & SD Entertainment you can visit these links;

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DJ-Scruffy-Duffy-104716809562265/

Website: http://scruffyentertainment.ie/

Phone: 0868216484

For more information about The Brian Mc Dermott