We find that a wonderful way to start a party is to have the band playing as the guests enter the room or arrive at the party. This sets a stylish tone and is an elegant way to start your party. This means that the band must have a starting time that allows for starting before the guests enter the room.

If you plan to shorten the cocktail hour, it’s important to check with the bandleader first to ensure that your guests enter a “live” room.

If you are planning on having a receiving line, it’s better to hold it at the church or synagogue, or as your guests enter the cocktail hour. Doing this will help keep the line moving and ensure that it does not disrupt the flow of the party.

Receiving lines at the reception are not very popular these days. They are time-consuming and may take away valuable dance time from your party.

If you decide to introduce the entire wedding party, please provide their names exactly as you want them to be announced (for example, “Mr. John Smith – groom’s brother”) on the STARDUST FLOWSHEET. We will check the pronunciation of the names while discussing the flow of the party. The introductions usually take place at the beginning of the party, after the photographs, and before dinner.

However, introducing the entire wedding party takes up a lot of time and is not all that popular at the moment. The current trend is to introduce only the Bride and groom, or the Bride and Groom and their respective parents.

We have a lengthy list of songs, and we would like you to select the ones you want to hear at your party. You can make margin notes or ask questions about any song that you don’t see on the list. Please note that the list is not exhaustive and is regularly updated. Once you finish selecting the songs, please send or fax us a copy. On the night of your party, we will use the list as a “call sheet” to try and include some of your favorite songs appropriately throughout the evening.

However, please understand that it’s impossible to guarantee we will play all of your songs. Depending on your crowd’s mood, we will fit as many song selections as possible in suitable places throughout the evening. You can trust us to know where and when to place songs; it’s our specialty.

Our song list offers a wealth of choices for first, parent, and last dances. However, if you cannot find the special song you are looking for, we are always happy to learn one special request for you.

To do this, we require a recording of the song (the one you are listening to). and sheet music (if available).

Please return these materials along with the flow sheet at least six weeks before the engagement.

Please consult us before purchasing sheet music or sending recordings.

The Hora can be performed at any time during the celebration, but some moments are more suitable than others. Starting the party with the Hora is always an option, but keep in mind that it may take up a considerable amount of time in the beginning and might be cut short if the maitre d’ needs to serve the food.

If you want to have a longer Hora, it’s recommended to schedule it between courses or after the entrée, when there’s typically more time available. We can provide a Hora of any length, and we offer a variety of songs, including ones in Yiddish. A short Hora would take around 5-10 minutes, while a longer one would last 10-20 minutes.

During dinner, the band will play live background music until the main course is served, when they will break for dinner.

The band has a provision in their contract that allows them to have adequate time for meals during their busy schedule. Due to the time consumed in driving, setting up, and performing during mealtimes, it is vital to ensure that the band remains happy and energetic.

After all, performing is a demanding job, and a cheerful band is essential for a good show.

Please note that during a typical four-hour party, the band will take two breaks. The first break for dinner will be the longest and will last approximately 25 minutes, from the time your guests are served the main course until the tables are cleared. The second break will be a short one, lasting approximately 15 minutes, prior to the last hour of dancing. It’s important to keep in mind that the Catering Staff and/or Room Captain will determine the band’s break schedule based on the flow of food.

We understand the importance of maximizing dance time to ensure the success of your party. We are committed to making the breaks as seamless as possible and will never compromise the enjoyment of your guests for the sake of a break.

The band comes equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system that ensures uninterrupted music during breaks. Thus, there will never be any downtime as there will always be music playing at your party.

We would be delighted to play your special mix if you have one.

Traditionally, the cake is cut after the main course has been cleared. This is a smooth transition as it acts as a prelude to the rest of the evening, and the bride’s responsibilities are considered over after the cake is cut. The rest of the party is then followed by dancing.

Nowadays, it has become a trend to cut the cake while there is light background music playing instead of having a traditional sing-along of “The Bride Cuts The Cake.”

Although the tradition of throwing the bouquet is still being followed, only about 10% of people do so. The bouquet is typically thrown towards the end of the party, usually in the last hour.

However, the popularity of this traditional ritual is declining due to the time it takes away from dancing.

The garter ritual is a customary event that traditionally follows the throwing of the bouquet. During this ritual, the bride sits down while her new husband removes the garter from her leg. The groom then places the garter on the leg of the person who caught the bouquet.

Usually, the band MC coordinates this sequence of events and provides accompanying music. We are happy to cater to your preferences if you want to include any or all of these traditional elements in your wedding reception. However, it is important to note that this entire event can take upwards of 15 minutes and usually happens during the last hour of the party.

It appears that this tradition has become less popular over time and we rarely see it these days.

The tradition of the last dance originated from the time when the newly-wed couple would change into their going-away outfits and then bid farewell to their guests. Although the practice of changing clothes is no longer common, the last dance remains a popular feature of wedding receptions.

Although most modern brides are no longer changing at the end of their party, last dances are still popular.

Typically, the last dance is played about 10-15 minutes before the end of the party. If you plan to change your clothes, it is advisable to allow 30 minutes before the last dance. Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” is a popular choice for this occasion, as it starts off slow and then gets everyone on the dance floor for a lively finish to the party. For more information on last dances, you can visit last dances.

There’s no need to choose a last dance if you don’t want to. The band will take care of the music to bring your event to a close on a high note!

We like to start discussing your event about six weeks before it takes place. This gives us enough time to address any special song requests you may have and plan the flow of the event with you. Additionally, we will get in touch with you again at the beginning of the week of the event to review and confirm all details, go through the flow of the event in greater detail, and discuss any last-minute changes.

We do this for two reasons: First, it helps us keep the event fresh in our minds, and second, most last-minute changes have typically already happened by this point, so we can account for them.

We’re always happy to hear from you about your event plans and offer our experience and expertise to you. Please feel free to contact us any time.

We would love to help you plan for both your ceremony and cocktail hour music after you secure THE STARDUST BAND. We offer a wide range of ensemble choices and an extensive repertoire of music for this part of your event. From strings and harps to brass quintets, we can provide whatever your preferences dictate.

If you are interested in ceremony or cocktail music, we can offer suggestions and provide recordings of
available repertoire to help you choose your preferred songs and instrumentation.

If the event is formal, such as a black-tie affair, the band will wear tuxedos. This can be either the black variety or white dinner jackets. However, if the party is informal, the band will wear business attire, which includes jackets and ties, as per the client’s preference.

At present, wearing a suit and tie is a fashionable and comfortable choice for parties. It is important to keep in mind that the band members usually do not remove their jackets or ties unless there are unforeseen issues or discomfort due to high temperatures.

Any changes to an existing contract must be in writing. Small changes are usually not a problem, and we will always do our best to accommodate you. However, a major time change may not be possible due to another engagement already booked on the same day.

We strongly encourage you to ensure that the time you desire for the band to start performing is accurately coordinated with your ceremony (if applicable) and the reception/party facility prior to returning the contract.

If the band doesn’t have another engagement following your event, overtime is possible. Overtime is often done on the fly but the decision to continue playing should be made approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled end time. At this point, we will ask you if you would like us to continue performing. If you decide to extend the performance, billing will be done in 1/2-hour increments.

If you already know that you will require overtime, it’s best to book it before the event. This will help ensure the party runs smoothly.

“I went to a wedding and the band was so loud that no one could speak to each other.” This is a common complaint we hear from potential clients. However, we have never received such feedback from our actual clients. Insensitivity to volume issues is usually indicative of an inexperienced or limited band repertoire. But with the extensive experience and vast repertoire of The Stardust Band, we can guarantee that the volume levels are always appropriate. We understand that there is a time for dancing and a time for dining and conversing. Hence, we are highly sensitive to these concerns. If you feel that the volume level is too loud at your party, just ask us to turn it down.

Sometimes, the venue itself can present challenges, such as when the room is made of glass or marble, has high ceilings, or other acoustic anomalies. These types of rooms can produce echoic and louder sound situations. When booking a venue, it’s important to be aware of its limitations. However, it’s worth noting that it is exceptionally rare for us to encounter a venue where we cannot make the sound good.

To secure your desired date, we require a signed contract and a deposit. We accept all major credit cards and operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please note that there is a 7-day turnaround for the contract and deposit. We understand that financing can be a challenge, so we are happy to work with you on it. Once we receive your contract and deposit, the date will be reserved just for you. .

Please feel free to contact Stardust Productions to secure your date.

We hope that our responses have addressed your queries and that our expertise and suggestions are useful in organizing your event. We appreciate your selection of THE STARDUST BAND and eagerly anticipate contributing to the success of your event. Thank you!