Why book with Big Entertainments ?
Only the most reliable, experienced and professional acts are featured on our site. All acts have been hand-picked and fully vetted by our team to ensure you get only the very best entertainment for your event. Our corporate clients include The Royal Bank of Scotland, Bupa, Credit Suisse, Habitat, Ernst & Young, Natwest, Right Choices, Cadbury House, Saatchi and Saatchi, Carpmaels and Ransford, 19 Management and the Beckhams. We’ve also provided bands for countless army functions, student balls, black tie dos, birthdays and weddings (over 500 wedding bookings a year).

How do I confirm a booking and pay?
Once you’ve decided on an act, we’ll draw up a booking contract between you and the act to be signed and returned to us. A small deposit payable by cheque or internet transfer will secure the act for your event, and the remaining balance is then payable to the act on the day.

What is included in the quoted price?
The price we quote for an act is inclusive of all extra costs including travel and VAT, unless stated otherwise.

Is it possible to see an act before I book?
Unfortunately in most cases it is not possible to see acts perform live before hiring them. This is because the majority of the events that our bands and musicians perform at are private weddings, student and corporate events with no public access. Wherever public events or showcases do become available we will of course do our best to keep you informed.

What happens if an act can’t make it on the day?
In the very unlikely event that a band member is taken ill or is unable to attend on the day, the band in question would usually find a ‘dep’ musician to take the place of the missing band member. If a solo artist or entire band is unable to attend, we will do our best to find a suitable replacement act. Rest assured that any replacement act provided by Big Entertainments will be 100% reliable, experienced and professional.

PERFORMANCE FAQs

How much space does a band need and what are their power requirements?
A designated performance space of approximately 5 metres wide by 4 metres deep (16ft x 14ft) is sufficient for the majority of 4-5 piece bands. A raised stage can greatly enhance the impact that a band will make, but this is not essential. Bands and DJs would also need a safe power supply (two standard double power sockets, preferably one either side of the stage).

Will the band need a sound-check?
Most bands would need 60 minutes to set-up and do a quick sound-check. If you require them to be discreet let us know and we’ll make sure they make this as brief and non-intrusive as possible. You can specify when you’d like the band to set up and sound-check on the booking contract. This can take place at any time after 6pm for evening events. If you require the band to set-up prior to 6pm a small hourly charge for the extra time on-site may apply.

How long will the band play for?
Most bands will play for 2x 45 min sets . Typically bands would start at 9.30pm and play through until midnight, with a half hour break between sets. If you require the band to finish later than midnight there may be an extra charge for this.

Is it possible to customise a band’s repertoire?
Most of our bands will be happy for you to select your favourite songs from their repertoire list, and veto any songs you’d rather not hear. That said, we usually find it’s best to let the band compile their own song-list for the night using your own basic guidelines as they will need to take account of dynamics, set pacing and segues between songs. The band may also need to make adjustments to the set order/song selection during the performance itself, depending on audience reaction.

Will the band learn a special song which isn’t already on their repertoire list?
Most of our bands will be happy to learn a special song (eg. for your first dance). If extra rehearsal time is required they may have to charge a small fee to cover this expense.

How loud will the band be?
Bands will be happy to work within the limits of a sound limiter set at approx 93db or higher. Ideally bands would prefer these to be switched off during the performance as the power cut-off systems employed by most limiters are easily tripped by applause and can cause damage to band equipment.

Will I need to feed my act?
Acts booked for evening events will require refreshments (food and drink) at some point during the evening, preferably prior to their performance. A buffet-type meal would usually be sufficient. If your venue can’t provide food, let us know and alternative arrangements can be made.

I’m booking a band, will I also need a DJ?
All our bands can play music via CD/ipod through their PA systems during intervals and there is no extra charge for this, but do not underestimate the impact a great DJ can make.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

 
Terms & Conditions for Venue Dressing

Big Entertainments Terms & Conditions

Provisional Bookings
You can make a provisional booking either in person or on the phone. This will be held for a period of 1 week, after which time, if no deposit has not been received, the booking will be cancelled.
Confirmation of Booking & Deposit Required

To confirm your booking we will require you to sign our Order Form, agreeing to our Terms & Conditions, and return this, along with a non-refundable deposit.. Without this the booking will not be processed. All cheques are to be made payable to Big Entertainments. No cancellations will be accepted 30 days before the Wedding.

We do offer interest free payment plans for people who would like to spread the cost of their wedding over a longer period of time. We still require a deposit from you of 20% at the time of ordering, but the balance can then be paid in installments over the period leading up to your wedding. You can pay as little or as much as you like each month. You may decide one month that you do not want to pay anything. This is fine and the following month you may choose to pay £20.00 and increase your payments towards the end. All that we ask if that you have paid the balance in full 4 weeks before your wedding.

Final Numbers & Reduction of Numbers
As many couples book early, in some instances a year in advance for venue dressing services, we are happy to accept an approximate figure in order to ensure your wedding date is secured. Big Entertainments will accept changes/reductions to final numbers up to 2 weeks prior to the wedding date.
Cancellations
Once a deposit has been paid this is non-refundable and no monies will be re-imbursed. The balance of your order is due for payment in full 4 weeks prior to the wedding. Cancellations will not be accepted within 30 DAYS or less of the wedding and the full payment must be paid and no monies will be refunded at this time.
Payment Procedures
Following your deposit you are required to pay the balance of your order 4 weeks before the date of your Wedding. We accept cash, cheques & cards only. Please allow 7 working days for any cheques to clear. We will not accept payments by cheque on the day or less than 7 days prior to the Wedding. Big Entertainments reserve the right to refuse to set up your function if payment in full is not received as per the Terms and Conditions.

Late payments
If your balance has not been paid in full by the time your wedding/function arrives, Big Entertainments reserves the right to treat this as a “breach of Contract” and are not obliged to turn up at your venue.
Customers presenting payment late, with less than 5 working days must pay the balance in full with cash or Card. Cheques will not be accepted at this late stage. If payment is not received prior to the wedding Big Entertainments reserve the right to cancel the booking as a breach of contract.
Damage/Lost Of Hired Goods
Should there be any damage/lost to the items that are hired, accidental or otherwise you will be invoiced for the full cost of the damaged/lost items. Below are the details of our Charges for full replacement costs for items that are lost entirely or badly damaged or burnt.
Chair Cover: £15.00
Organza/Silk Bows: £5.00
Top Table/Cake Table Swag: £40.00
Balloon Stands: £30.00
Glass vases/ Mirrors: £30.00
Feathers £3 each
Vase Flowers £50-£70 depending on vase
Neon light swag £500
Chair accessories £3 each

This is not a full list of all our products but the main ones that are often hired.
Upon the return of the goods we then check to ensure the full quantity of linen and all hired items have been returned safely in full. Once this has been completed you will advised of any damages/losses.
As the Hirer you are fully responsible for the safe-keeping of all the items that you hire and your venue/hotel has no liability for losses or damages. If there are losses/damages and you are not happy with your venue and feel they are responsible, you must take this up with your venue separately as the contract is between yourselves and Big Entertainments and your venue has no legal obligation to pay our costs.
Taking items Home
All of the Items provided to you are for hire only on the day of your wedding and Chair Covers, Bows and Swags are not to be removed from the Venue at the end of the function. The contract states that Big Entertainments will collect the linen from your venue and you will have paid for this service. Any bows that are taken home, accidentally or otherwise will be charged at the full replacement cost so we ask you to remind your guests that all items must be left for collection. It is common that guests take the bows home, wrapped around their waist, head or around their bags as they have been using them to entertain themselves. Not only does this mean the loss of monies to you but it also affects other people who are hiring the items after you and so please be considerate and leave all the linen behind.

Balloons
Children/adults can suffocate/swallow on uninflated, broken balloons & balloon accessories. Please keep uninflated balloons away from children & discard any broken or balloon pieces at once. Latex balloons are completely biodegradable. Latex may cause allergic skin reaction in a small percentage of people. Balloons released into the atmosphere should have no attachments except approved race labels.
Helium is an inert non inflammable naturally occurring gas, therefore it is extremely dangerous to allow anyone to breathe the helium either from the balloon or gas canister, Big Entertainments will not be held responsible if any person decides to breathe in the helium gas.
Many types of balloon decoration are constructed using very fine fishing line to make it invisible to the naked eye; therefore children/adults should not touch the décor or be given it at the end of the event.
Once balloons have been delivered & set up at the venue, responsibility for these then moves to the customer.
Hire of stands please see: Damage/lost of hired goods

Additions To orders
We will endeavour to match goods you have previously ordered, but occasionally due to circumstances beyond our control, there may be small variations in color, size and texture. We can not guarantee exact matches.
Disclaimer
All goods are subject to availability. We cannot be held responsible for items that may be out of stock or discontinued by the Manufacturer; in these circumstances we shall try our best to supply an alternative. We reserve the right to alter designs and prices if this becomes necessary.