As excited as my fiancé and father are for the wedding day, scheduling meetings with florists, and investigating photographers does not cause their heart to race with anticipation for the upcoming nuptials. Rightfully so, their lack of eagerness concerning such aspects of wedding planning are expected. I know at certain stages in the planning process it is much easier for grooms and fathers-of-the-bride to take a backseat, and differ to the bride. So, when my fiancé took charge in researching music, and my father pulled out dance moves not seen since his own wedding I let those boys go!
- My mother and father on their wedding day in 1977.
Music has been one of our big spender priorities from the start of planning and this is because Brian and I believe phenomenal music can turn a wedding from a celebration into a party. So, the first decision we needed to make was band or DJ. DJ’s tend to be more affordable and have the ability to MC the night along with playing any and all hits across decades. On the flip side bands have a powerful sound, but may have a more limited set list, and will take a chunk out of your budget.
Brian and I, with my parents, made the decision to open up the purse strings and pursue a band for our wedding day. In making that decision we immediately set aside a larger portion of our budget to spend on music. The live sound of a large piece band with drums, a bass, and especially a horn section cannot be beat. So, we found ourselves on the search for not only great vocalists, but great musicians.
I admit, Brian did most of the band research, and I cannot share too much about that process. However, we started our search by reading online reviews and listening to online videos of two bands with a quality sound, and a fabulous price point. We attended a showcase for The Bachelor Boys Band where they sang a variety of oldies and current radio hits. Even better for your wallets this band has a flexible approach when it comes to budget. They have several lead singers that can be paired with a variety of instrumental set-ups. This allows the Bachelor Boys Band to tailor the band size to meet most couple’s price point.
We also worked with the Sly 45 band. Sly 45 had an impressive song list that spanned decades and genres. The genuine passion of these band members was evident and came across not only in talking to them, but also in their sound. As much as these two bands rock, and I definitely recommend you attend their showcases, our search ended with a third band.
Enter Spectrum, or rather I should say slide, shuffle, shimmy, ball change Spectrum. The members of Spectrum, who work with the Washington Talent Agency, are more than members in a band – they are performers!
- Vocalists Ramon Delacruz and George Jamison. Photo Courtesy of Washington Photo and Spectrum band.
We walked into the band’s showcase at the talent agency’s office in Rockville and felt like we were entering a private concert. The lights were flashing, the singers were dancing, the horns were blasting, and we were ready to jump in on the party. The passion, talent, and joy the band members showed leaped into the audience and we couldn’t get enough. The smiles on my mother and Brian’s faces told me the search was over. Spectrum was our band. Later that week as I watched my father smile and groove to Spectrum’s YouTube videos the decision was final.
- Washington Talent Agency’s showcase space in Rockville, where we first saw Spectrum perform. Photo courtesy of Spectrum’s Facebook page.
Spectrum is an eight piece band featuring a trio of talented singers including vocal impersonator and MC George Jamison (G-Wes), the Latin sensation Ramon Delacruz, and the sassy Natalya Altra. Behind these vocalists are some incredible musicians including Scott Rosendall (guitar/vocals), Ron Byrd Jr. (percussion), Ben Kaufman (bass/keyboards), Matt Ellis (sax), and Griff Kazmierczak (keyboard/trumpet). I am also pretty sure that my mother has a crush on vocalist Ramon, so there may need to be a dance off between my father and him at the reception. Don’t worry Daddy, once some Springsteen or Buffet comes on no one can beat your moves.
- Some of the members of Spectrum. Photo courtesy of Spectrum’s Facebook page.
Spectrum I know it is still nine months away from our wedding, but I already want to say thank you. Your band is taking our wedding from a fun time to rocking time. I cannot wait for the party I know you all will bring to the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club next July. I frequently listen to your YouTube videos and am so excited that you are willing to learn first dance songs, as I have a couple ideas up my sleeve. Oh and congratulations on being selected as Wedding Wire’s couple’s choice band for 2014. Guests coming to the Hendrick-Scheerer wedding be fore warned to break in those heels, wear your dancing shoes, or just go barefoot because once you’re out on that dance floor I hope you won’t want to leave…except to eat some cake! – Jessica Hendrick
