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Frequently Asked Questions
How long will AQUARIUS play for at my wedding?
Our normal performance times are 8.00pm to Midnight. This is broken up by a 20 minute break that usually coincides with the evening buffet.
Can we extend our booking beyond the standard schedule?
Yes. We offer schedule extensions although they are charged by the hour (The band may also need an additional break).
How much time do AQUARIUS need to set up?
AQUARIUS need approximately an hour to set up: (15 minutes to load in, 35 minutes to set up the P.A. rig, and 10 minutes to soundcheck (as well as change into suitable clothing for the evening).
How much space do you need?
Our set-up requires a minimum working area of 18 X 12 feet / 5 X 4 metres.
How much does it cost to book AQUARIUS?
Please contact us with your requirements and the location of the venue for your wedding, and we will prepare a quotation for you.
What if there's something about the quote I don't like?
Our quotes are based on running the band as a business and relative to current costs:
Many people do not realise the amount of time, background work and money it takes to maintain a wedding and function band. One booking alone takes a minimum of 60 hours work (between 5 members) and can cost the band up to £350 in expenses!
“DON'T scrimp and save on the band. Time wise the band will take up a third of your wedding day, so arguably they should be paid a third of your total wedding budget! Fortunately this is not the case, but they are the mainstay of the wedding and therefore need to be very good. The average price of a top quality function band is between £850 and £1250, which is less than 10% of the total cost of the average Scottish Highland wedding. Be suspicious of any band offering their services for less - for obvious reasons!” (XS Promotions)
How far will AQUARIUS travel for a wedding?
Anywhere, as long as you are prepared to pay travel and accommodation for the band (if the venue is out with a 150 mile radius of Falkirk).
I want to see AQUARIUS perform before booking. Is this possible?
Yes.
Generally we try to arrange for you to view the band playing at someone else's wedding. (This is rarely a problem, as the couple getting married would have seen the same band at someone else's wedding and most likely won't mind you going along at all).
Will the band I come to view, be the same band members that will perform at my event?
In most cases, yes! But unlike most tangible products that you pay for, a band is an organic entity. Fortunately we don't have to bring in a deputy very often, but there are occasions where there are unforseen and mitigating circumstances (eg. a family bereavement) where there is no choice but to bring in a replacement.
If you pay for a ticket to go and support your favourite football team, do you ask for a refund at the end of the match because a player is injured and is unable to play?
How do I book AQUARIUS ?
Contact us via the online form or by phone (07732 234526) with all the required information (Date, Venue, etc) and our Band Administrator / Bookings Coordinator take care of the rest.
Will you provisionally hold an available date for us?
Any direct enquiries are on a first come, first serve basis (although we will hold the date for a prospective client, if they have agreed to view the band at a specific venue).
How do I quickly secure my date?
If your date is available, you can secure it quickly by paying a deposit (10% of your fee) and returning a signed contract (Our contract is drawn up under the acceptable terms laid down by the Musicians Union). Please contact us if you want to do this.
Can I choose which songs you play?
Only your first dance and the songs that already exist in our present set. Let us know which songs you definitely want to hear in our repertoire, but let the band have the freedom to choose the order of the set list (as we play every week and can “read” the audience).
Can I choose which songs you DON'T play?
Yes. We understand there may be personal reasons why a certain song should not be played and will respect that. Please keep your blacklist as short as possible. Remember, your guests are there to be entertained too!
The song we'd like for our first dance is not in your repertoire. Can we request it?
Yes. All we ask for is 3 months notice to give us time to prepare and rehearse your song (as we have other first dances to learn too).
Can we request a second/third/fourth dance?
Yes, but the band would charge extra for the rehearsal time required.
Can we have our first dance played on CD?
Yes. Just tell us at the time of booking. We may ask you to provide us with a copy of the song in the unlikely event we don't have it in our collection.
What about a Ceilidh set?
We can perform a 45 minute Ceilidh set which is enough for most people:
Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, Dashing White Sergeant, St. Bernard’s Waltz.
Can you supply a Disco?
Yes. During our break we usually provide infill music, so the facilities are already in place for a disco.
Do you require changing rooms?
Yes. We're not expecting a hotel room, but somewhere private to change is required (Toilets or any other area to which the public have general access are not acceptable).
My venue is asking for a PAT certificate from the band. What is it and why do we need it?
PAT stands for Portable Appliance Test. PAT certification is a legal requirement (The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) ensuring all portable mains powered equipment is electrically safe. All our equipment is labelled as PAT certified and your venue is more than welcome to check this (Aquarius / Jist Audio has a traceable history of PAT certification on all our equipment. Certification is renewed annually by LDHS of Penicuik).
Do you carry Public Liability Insurance?
Yes. Aquarius are covered for up to £10,000,000 by Hencilla Canworth. The insurance certificate can be produced on demand.
Scottish Wedding Band - Aquarius - Scotland's Premier Wedding and Function Band (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness)
Copyright © 2007 - 2010 Aquarius / Aquarius Scotland. All rights reserved.
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