Choosing the musical entertainment for your wedding means thinking about more than just the music.  The type of wedding band that you hire will depend on the type of wedding and reception that you want.  You may need to different a harp player or violin quartet for the church, a compere style crooner for the dinner and a swing band for your guests to dance the night away at the reception, or you might just need a DJ to provide the soundtrack of your choice for your wedding.

If you are hiring a single band or musician, find out what style of music they specialize in, and if they are willing to take requests.  Some musicians may only cover the songs by one or two artists, while others can turn their hand (or vocal chords) to just about any song.  You will also want to think about your "must have" playlist and ask bands whether or not they can play them. 

Keep in mind that a good wedding band needs to also be both professional and personable as well as provide great music.  Amateurish bands (that are often a cheap alternative to more experienced bands) can forget equipment, be ill prepared or lack the ability to sense when the mood needs lifted and when to take things at a slower pace.  You will also want to find a band that can create an atmosphere between songs by encouraging people to dance, introducing the couple or perhaps taking requests from guests.

Ask any prospective band or musician if they will check out the venue before your wedding date.  They may need to check available space, electrical outlets andacoustics and will need to either do this before the date or arrange to set up early on the wedding day.

When picking a wedding band, think about your guests enjoyment at your wedding as well as your own music taste.  If you and your fiance are into heavy metal, by all means get hire a band dressed like this guy for your reception, but don't expect your Mom to be happy about it, or Auntie Joan to get up and mosh!  I know several couples who have had sets of music at their wedding, accommodating for different ages and tastes.  A skilled, experienced wedding band should be able to help you with putting together a good range of music that reflects your shared musical tastes as a couple as well as keep the majority of your guests happy for the evening.

Try to get references for any band that you are considering booking.  Look for testimonials from other brides on a band's website or ask them for the contact details of previous couples who can tell you about their experience.  Social media networks such as Facebook have made it easier to see how good a band are by viewing genuine comments and reviews.  Be a good Google sleuth for a few minutes to see if you can turn up reviews or video clips of the band's appearance at other weddings.  With wedding websites and blogs becoming so popular your chances are good at finding plenty of background information about a popular wedding band.