Suppliers, Sound Advice, Tips & Suggestions
Never underestimate the power of the party! Whether it's a wedding, birthday party or charity event, your guests will talk about the party. With this in mind a great band and great music is key to the success of the evening.
The Sam Lewis Band is one of Hertfordshire's busiest wedding bands. We will go above and beyond to make sure you, your guests and the venue are happy with every aspect of our performance. Here is a video of us performing at Bassmead Manor Barns for a New Year's Eve wedding reception.
Venues
Here are some useful questions to consider asking when choosing your venue.
Does the venue allow live bands and musicians?
Does the venue have a stage?
If not, does the venue have an unobstructed area suitable for the band/DJ to set up?
Is there adequate power suitable for a band and/or DJ close by?
Does the venue have a noise limiter? If so, what is it set to?
Which bands does the venue recommend?
Have the band(s) played at the venue before?
What time does the music need to finish by?
Preferred/Recommended Suppliers
Most venues have a list of suppliers that have worked at the venue, know the staff, the layout and understand the requirements. Suppliers should know what time to arrive, where to set up and who to speak to in order for everything to run smoothly one the day. We pride ourselves on being organised, communicating directly with the venue manager and sending the necessary public liability and P.A.T. paperwork in advance.
Equally, suppliers know and will recommend fellow suppliers they feel go the extra mile and can really add something special to couples' and clients' big days.
Noise Limiters
Noise limiters are often installed at venues in residential areas to stop the volume getting out of control. Acoustic drums are usually the hardest instruments to control the volume of. We carry an acoustic kit and an electric kit making us suitable for all wedding venues anywhere, anytime.
Music Licenses
Wedding venues have different music licenses and sometimes the live music has to finish earlier than the disco. Our solution is ALWAYS a party band AND live DJ. We always find out the curfew in advance and time our sets accordingly.
Booking Bands
The singer is usually the reason a band is booked. Check that the singer in the video is the one you'll get on the day/night of your wedding. Always check the small-print regarding personnel!
When you book The Sam Lewis Band, you get Sam Lewis and his band!
An experienced, professional wedding band will select the right material to be performed at the right time to keep the dance-floor full all evening.
The Sam Lewis Band ask you to choose a handful of MUST-HAVES, identify any NONOs and then we select the best music for your guests on the night. We bring our party to yours!
A versatile and professional party band will carry both an acoustic drum kit and an electric kit making them suitable for ALL venues with and without noise-limiters.
The Sam Lewis Wedding & Party Band do precisely this which has led to us becoming recommended suppliers at venues with noise limiters including 'The Priory Barn, Little Wymondley', 'South Farm', 'Sheene Mill, Melbourne' and 'Milling Barn, Throcking'.
Trusted Supplier Status
The Sam Lewis Band are trusted suppliers at the following venues...
The Priory Barn, Little Wymondley, Hertfordshire
The Barns at Redcoats, Redcoats Green, Hertfordshire
The Kings Chapel, Old Amersham, Buckinghamshire
South Farm, Royston, Hertfordshire
Sheene Mill, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire
Milling Barn, Throcking, Hertfordshire
The Hitchin Priory, Hitchin, Hertfordshire
Letchworth Hall Hotel, Letchworth, Hertfordshire
Needham House, Hitchin, Hertfordshire
The Sun Hotel, Hitchin, Hertfordshire
F.A.Q.s
Q. Can we choose the music?
A. Yes. We will work with you to build the perfect wedding party playlists for both the live and pre-recorded elements suitable for ALL of your guests. From children and grandparents that may wish to leave early, to the party people that stay until the end!
At the ceremony...
You will need to choose a wedding entrance song, an exit song and 2-4 songs for whilst you're signing the register. I/We are happy to provide assistance and guidance here.
At the reception drinks...
Please select 4/5 MUST-HAVES and identify any NONOs from our repertoire. I/We will then select the most appropriate material to perform whilst photographs are taking place and your guests are enjoying drinks and canopies.
What about the the live band sets?
Our tried and tested method is for you to select 4/5 MUST-HAVES and identify any NONOs from our repertoire. I/We will then add the most appropriate material to perform. We are a party band with classics and standards from the 60s to the present.
And the disco...
Rather than emailing us requests, please compile a playlist on Spotify and send us a link in advance. We will then make sure the right music is played at the right time to keep the dance-floor busy all evening.
Q. Do you provide lighting?
A. Yes. Our lighting arrangment is sophistaicated and can be tailored to the needs of your event. We can provide extra lighting such as uplighters, giant L.O.V.E. letters and more for an additional cost.
Wedding & Event Specialist Suppliers
Sam Lewis Music and The Sam Lewis Band are very pleased to work with and recommend the following suppliers...
Abacus Marquee & Event Hire
Abacus Marquee & Event Hire supply marquees, furniture and decor suitable for all events.
Sam Lewis Music & The Sam Lewis Band are very proud to work closely with Abacus Marquee & Event Hire supplying their musicians, bands and DJs for weddings, parties, corporate events and more. For all of your Marquee needs, you can contact the team on 01462 416111.
Abacus are Google's most reviewed marquee hire company in the U.K.
Apart from being the tallest photographer in Hertfordshire, Rafe has an excellent eye for detail and knows exactly how to make you feel like he's not even there. We frequently work together at The Priory Barn and Redcoats.
Lee is by far and away one of the busiest magicians in the U.K. He's also possibly the busiest man I know juggling family life and the numerous businesses he's involved with. His ability to entertain and connect with people is second to none. Take a look at his site and see for yourself. Lee and I frequently work together in and around Hertfordshire & Cambridgeshire.
We have been working with Mark since 2015. When it comes to lighting and decor, there is nothing that Mark can't either provide in-house or source. We most frequently work with Mark at The Priory in Little Wymondley.
Katy brings the fun to makeup, making you look and feel beautiful on the most important day of your life! She's professional and excellent at her job. She's part of the wedding dream-team with ourselves, Rafe Abrook Photography and Lee Smith Magic.
Lesley is a lovely person that takes a huge amount of pride in her excellent work. She can create floral arrangements for all aspects of your wedding from bouquets to table layouts to top-table backdrops. We frequently work together at Milling Barn.
Harvey is a very friendly person and personal chauffeur. He has a selection of classic cars and a tractor for woodland and rustic weddings to transport you to and from your wedding venue. We frequently work together at Milling Barn and Sheene Mill.