V A N I L L A
"Thanks so much, we had a wonderful day. Amber and the boys were fantastic, they were an absolute delight! It would have been a different evening all together if we were not blessed with their brilliant zest and talent. " - Gavin & Bronwyn Grant
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you play our Bridal Waltz or should we use a CD?
A: Vanilla can definitely play your Bridal Waltz or any other special tune you have in mind. All we ask is at least four weeks notice to learn a tune if it is not already part of our repertoire.
However if you’d prefer to use a CD version of your song that is totally fine too!
Q: I’d love a special song for my ceremony but don’t want the whole band – can Vanilla provide this?
A: Absolutely. We can provide ceremony music with vocals and either guitar, piano or bass for something a bit different.
Q: What about my parents and grandparents – do you have music that they can dance to?
A: Our repertoire is large enough that we can cover most genres – from some slower ‘couples dancing’ tunes for after the bridal waltz to retro and modern dance tunes.
Vanilla have played a lot of weddings and one thing we’ve noticed is this; if the band is grooving and the ‘vibe’ is happening, people will dance!! Remember, by this stage of the evening everyone is ready to let their hair down (kick their shoes off!!) and have a good time!
Q: How do you choose the music you play on the night – can we pick the songs we’d like to hear?
A: We can provide you with a copy of our full repertoire so you can pick songs you’d like to hear – or definitely don’t want to hear!
Alternatively you can leave it all up to us - Vanilla has plenty of experience and we understand how to cater to a varied crowd. The choice is yours!
Q: How long will the band play for?
A: Every wedding is different so the answer to this question really depends on what you have in mind for your event. The industry standard ‘rule of thumb’ is three to four sets over five hours.
Q: When does the band play? How do I schedule the running order of the reception?
A: Have a think about what is important to you, and what, if any, formalities are going to be included on the night. The band can then work around them.
For example your run sheet may look something like this:
6 - 6.30 Guests Arrive
6.30 - 6.45 Bridal Party Arrives
6.45 - 7.30 Entrée
Set 1 - Laid back, dinner style music
7.45 - 8.30 Dinner
Set 2 - Laid back, dinner style music
8.30 - 9.30 Formalities – speeches etc
9.30 - 10.15 Bridal Waltz
Set 3 – Dance Set
10.15 – 10.30 Cake Cutting
10.30 - 11.30 Set 4 – Dance Set to end of evening
Q: What if my running sheet changes on the night?
A: We understand that schedules need to be flexible – Great Uncle Harry may decide on the spur of the moment that he wants to tell your guests that embarrassing story after all! That’s fine with us – As long as it’s fine with you!!
Just remember we are there for you – that’s what you’re paying for.
Q: What do we/the venue need to provide for the band?
A: The band will need easy access to power in order to operate gear. Access to the venue a couple of hours prior to start time is also ideal to ensure the band is set up and ready to go before the guests arrive.
It is also appreciated if a meal and soft drinks can be provided for members of the band for bookings over four hours.
Q: How much space does the band need?
A: Vanilla can fit in a surprisingly small space - We played a year long residency in a venue with a stage of approximately 1 meter by 2 meters! Let us know the specifics of your venue and Amber will contact you to discuss any specific requirements.
Q: I need an MC - can Vanilla provide one?
A: Absolutely. Our lead singer Amber has years of experience in corporate hosting and events, and can tailor MC duties to suit you.
Q: Can we see you play?
A: Contact us for information about our next gigs, or better yet, to organise a private viewing.
Q:How much does Vanilla cost?
A: You may be surprised to find out how affordable a professional live band can be. We beleive we are offering a great package - just for you!
General Tips:
It’s a good idea to appoint a friend, the MC or someone in the bridal party to act as ‘band liason’. This is helpful for us as we have a ‘go to’ should we have any questions, and also means you can sit back, relax and enjoy your day.
If you have CD’s or MP3’s you want us to play during the night, we ask you provide these at least a week prior to the day to avoid any technical difficulties
Remember it’s your wedding!
When you book Vanilla, Amber will be in touch with you regularly to discuss what you need, and will reply to email enquiries usually within one business day.
We encourage you to ask as many questions as you like, change your mind as many times as you like – it’s all about your special day!
