Generally, expect to pay $600 to $650 a player for an average-priced band, with an eight-piece high-end wedding band costing about $8,000—that is, $1,000 a player. Deejays and single musicians or small groups have a different price structure. Price doesn’t depend just on the size of the band; the group’s popularity and professionalism are also factors.

Bands usually are booked for four hours, and most offer cocktail-hour music as well as dance music for the reception. Music for the cocktail hour and ceremony may not be included in initial estimates. When you interview musicians, be specific about when you want music played, as well as about the number and types of instruments you expect. Once you have found a group, note in your contract the specifics, including the name of a desired vocalist or band (if you are working with an organization that provides several options), number of instruments and vocalists at the reception, and type of instruments at the cocktail hour.

When you book a deejay, confirm that special requests can be accommodated. Be clear, too, about the volume level you want, especially if you are working with a deejay or heavily amplified band. You may prefer the music to be quieter during the main course, when more people are at their tables talking.

It’s a good idea to schedule one last meeting with the bandleader about five or six weeks before the event date. That's the time to iron out all the final details—arrival time, meal times, and special requests, for example—so that when the day arrives, there will be nothing left to do but dance.