Hiring a band for the wedding reception isn't just a matter of enjoying the music—wedding bands also must please everyone, from the teenage junior bridesmaids to the grandparents, particularly if Mom and Dad are paying the bill.

But most couples don't have time for meetings with talent agencies. And they don't necessarily want to hear the song and dance of some slick spokesman, anyway.

"They want to go out and see the band or they want to see it on our website," says Greg Therres, CEO of Starleigh Entertainment in Baltimore.

When couples start planning, they should think about the wedding from start to finish, from the ceremony to the final dance of the reception. Often, classical musicians are hired for the ceremony. "There are bands that have individuals who can branch out and can cover classical [music]," says Therres. "But usually the classical guys and the rock guys are two different styles. They don't cross paths too often."

Some religious institutions have music directors, and the couple must work through the director to determine what sort of music is acceptable for the ceremony. "We talk to the bride to see what she wants," says Joan da Silva Heit, a founding member of the group Femme Flutale, which features four Baltimore-area flutists. "Depending on the location, the denomination sets limits as to what we are allowed to play."

When hiring, think about the size and scope of the event. "Generally, with a group like ours, the bride would hire us for the ceremony and for the cocktail hour," Heit says. "They would use four flutes for more of an intimate setting, in a smaller room, as opposed to a really huge outdoor event."

During the cocktail hour, immediately following the ceremony, the group will transition into upbeat or contemporary music.  In some cases, members of the reception band can cover the cocktail hour as well.

Get references before hiring, Therres says. "The best guide for the bride is references from other brides. Who better to tell you the story than someone who has had the band, when you think about it?"

If the band has a demonstration CD, ask whether the people who perform on the recording are the same as those who will be at the wedding reception. "We have a pool of talent that we can draw from," says Therres. "If somebody does get sick, we have somebody who can fill in. But that rarely happens. I can't ever remember it happening on a wedding."

Most bands that play weddings know every reception hall. Still, the couple should ask whether the band equipment is appropriate for their venue. "If you go to Gertrude's, for instance, you have to have a PA system that is going to work in those rooms," Therres says, "or you are going to be miserable and the client is going to be miserable."

Musicians have various rates. It costs $800 for a minimum of two hours to hire Femme Flutale, Heit says. But that's pretty inexpensive compared to other groups: Hiring a group for the reception more often ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 for four hours. "We'll often give them a fifth hour if they are in the higher range," Therres says. 

In most cases, a less costly option is a DJ. Besides, many couples prefer to hear hits by the top bands, just as they do in clubs and on the radio.

Budget at least $500 for a four-hour appearance. "Our most popular DJ's charge more. For the highest rank, you pay $1,200," says Bill Davis of Davis DeeJays of Baltimore/Annapolis. "An average price is about $600."

Couples that hire his firm search his website first. A list of the most requested songs is posted. "But our clients are not limited to that," Davis says. "Just about anything a client wants, we have."

His DJs play short sets: "We play three or four of a type. We don't want long sets. We allow other people who like other types of music to dance. There are fast songs and then a slow song."

Davis's website also has videos of 35 DJs. "If they want somebody lively, we know who to schedule. We know which of our DJs fall into those categories," he says. "They can look at the videos. If a particular DJ floated their boat, we check the DJ's availability."

During the reception, the DJ is expected to serve as master of ceremonies, introducing the couple, various family members, and overseeing the toasts. Couples should ask how many other weddings the DJ has done. "About 85 percent of our business is weddings," Davis says. "Typically, DJs have been with us 10 years. So they know it."

Also ask what the DJ will be wearing. Most agencies that represent DJs require that their employees wear tuxedos to weddings. (This is also true of wedding bands and classical musicians.) But DJs who are unaffiliated with an agency may not follow the same rules. Again, references are key.

"Check to see what other people thought of the company," Davis says. "Make sure the references are local and recent." As for their electronic equipment, each DJ working with Davis carries a duplicate backup system. "We have well-maintained equipment. It's rare we have equipment problems, but if we did, we could have it resolved in a couple minutes. If a company had to run equipment from an office, it would take an hour to get it there."

If the DJ works independently, determine the backup plan in the event that he or she is ill. Agencies typically can provide a substitute. The terms should be covered in the contract. "As far as contracts, you have standard things: where the party is going to be, the hours, and the price. A good contract should have more protections for the consumer," Davis says.