FAQ

We do offer a number of popular packages as well as customizable options however every couple and every wedding is unique. Pricing depends on the number of musicians you book, the length of time we play, the location of your wedding, and equipment required. But don’t worry – we have a package to suit nearly every budget.

Please get in contact as soon as possible to avoid missing out. The fastest way to get in touch is via our contact form.

First things first, visit our contact page to send us your details and customize your wedding/event package. Once we have all the necessary details we can provide a free quote for your wedding/event. If you’re ready to take the relationship to the next level, we require a signed contract and 50% deposit, which will lock-in your date. That’s when you’ll receive confirmation of booking for your wedding/event date and we can begin the entertainment planning process.

Absolutely. The Blackstones work with wedding and event planners on a regular basis in order to provide professional live entertainment services.

The Blackstones perform as an acoustic duo at many different wineries and breweries throughout the year, check our event calendar/Instagram/facebook (@theblackstonesmusic) for performances dates. The Blackstones band specializes in weddings, events and large festival performances. If you are hoping to see the band live you can often catch us at local festivals and public events. We also have several recorded video performances on our YouTube channel for your viewing!

In the event of illness, an act of god (car accident, fire, death), or severe weather conditions that do not allow us to travel we do have the right to cancel as stated in our contract. Deposits are non-refundable however rest assured we will always do everything in our power to keep our commitment and if we cannot make the performance, we offer to find a replacement band who can or reschedule the performance to a date agreed upon by The Blackstones. 

Classic Rock, Country, Pop, Alternative and party covers – we pretty much do it all. We try to keep our setlists mixed with different genres and artists that connect with audiences of all ages to make your wedding/event memorable for your guests. 

Yes! We have a huge master list of songs for you to choose from, however If there is a special request for a song not on our list we are able to learn 1 new song for your ceremony and 1 new song for your first dance. If you have additional requests and we don’t know the song we are happy to play any requests off Spotify so you always have your favourite music being played. 

Check out our Band Master List and Duo Master List

Definitely. We are willing to travel anywhere in the province of Ontario. Travel expenses will reflect in our pricing.

Our core members consist of 2 guitar players, a bass player and drummer. All of us sing lead/harmony during our performance according to the arranged setlist. There is the option to add an additional female vocalist and/or fiddle/steel guitarist for an additional fee. 

Our package pricing includes playing the first dance live, plus 3 or 4 X 45-minute sets of live music. The other key wedding music highlights are added to our DJ playlist (wedding party entrances, parent dances, cake cutting etc.). This ensures that the music isn’t too loud for the MC, who needs to make announcements during these important key moments. We find that having control over the volume via our sound system ensures that everything runs smoothly and professionally.

Food and drinks are always appreciated. For reception/event bookings in excess of two hours, it’s industry-standard to provide a “crew meal” for each musician, plus access to non-alcoholic beverages. Please check with your reception venue, because crew meals are typically charged at a reduced rate.

Key Ceremony Songs: 1) Entrance Processional 2) Licence signing 3) Exit Recessional 

Key reception songs: 1) First dance 2) Parent Dances 3) Wedding Party entrance songs

Yes. The band always arrives the morning of to setup for local events. The duo is able to arrive earlier for setup as well (this may reflect in the pricing). 

If your event is outside of the Niagara region the band/duo will have an additional fee for early set up times (i.e. more than 2 hours before scheduled performance start time).

Absolutely. Our packages are customizable with the option to book us for the full day (ceremony, cocktail, dinner, reception). There’s no need to waste your money booking 2 different bands and a DJ. Our full day music package includes music from the moment your guests are seated for the ceremony, to the last dance of the night. We offer the acoustic duo for ceremonies, cocktails, dinners, and smaller receptions, full band for receptions, and a pre-arranged DJ playlist for everything in between.

The Blackstones currently book 6 - 12 months in advance. The minute you have locked in a venue and wedding/event date is the time to book us as well. If you are past the 6 months mark please still reach out as we may still have available performance dates.

The Blackstone’ are extremely versatile. Depending on the nature of your event we can accommodate any atmosphere. We absolutely love to get the party started and your guests dancing and singing along to our songs. We also can provide background music so that your guests can mingle and converse without having to raise their voices to hear one another. We perform according to the occasion. 

Yes. A 50% deposit is required to secure your wedding/event date. Deposits are non – refundable. In the event the performance cannot reasonably be put on the performance will be rescheduled to a date agreed upon by The Blackstones or a replacement band will be found.

The Blackstones always include a wireless microphone for speeches and officiant use during ceremony, receptions, and events. The speaker must be within 100 ft of our equipment to reduce technical issues. 

The Blackstones acoustic duo come prepared with a sound system that is ideal for rooms that hold up to 100 people. (Additional speakers can be added and may reflect in the pricing).

The Blackstones band come prepared with a professional sound system that’s ideal for rooms that hold up to around 300 guests. If your room is larger than this, we recommend hiring a larger PA sound system, which we can help you with.

Please contact us via email and we’d be happy to forward you The Blackstones rider.

The band equipment is only available for use by The Blackstones employees (unless otherwise agreed upon). If we are not present at your event/wedding for any period of time the equipment is not to be used. If you require audio equipment for speeches/announcements or DJ music during your wedding/event prior to our scheduled performance time we would be happy to accommodate this request for an additional fee. 

Yes, a prearranged Spotify playlist will be used for weddings/events during scheduled performance breaks. If you have song requests for this list please forward these songs no later than 30 days prior to your event otherwise an appropriate list of songs will be chosen by the Blackstones. 

The Blackstones have a large repertoire of music for weddings and events. If you have a preference of our setlist please download our master lists and highlight songs you would like to hear at your wedding/event. We cannot promise we will play them all but we will do our best to accommodate your chosen preferences!

The acoustic duo always tries to accommodate requests during the performance as appropriate. The band often has a prearranged setlist for weddings/events however in the event there is a song suggested the band is familiar with we will always attempt to accommodate these requests as appropriate. The Blackstones have the final say in what music is performed for the wedding/event.

If your guests have requests for the Spotify playlist they are more than welcome to make suggestions however, The Blackstones have the final say in what songs are played on the playlist.

Special Event: Depending on your package deal our sets typically last between 45 min – 1 hr. The number of sets are determined by yourself and can range any wherefrom 1 – 4 sets (Pricing will reflect the length of the performance time).

Ceremony: Ceremonies consists of 15 – 20 minutes of prelude music, an entrance processional, signing, and exit recessional song along with 1 or 2 closing songs.

Cocktail Hour: A typical cocktail hour allots up to 1 hour of performance time (can be extended for an additional price)

Dinner: Depending on your preferences and the conditions of the performance/event dinner music usually consists of 1 – 2 X 45 min sets (this is dependent on interruptions from speeches, announcements etc. a dinner DJ playlist will always be provided in the event a live performance is not appropriate for the occasion.) 

Reception: Depending on your package deal, wedding reception sets typically last between 45 min – 1 hr. The number of sets are determined by yourself and can range any where from 1 – 4 X 45 min sets. Based on your chosen performance time we will arrange our sets accordingly. Pricing will reflect the length of the performance time.

This setup/tear down time is outside of the time you’ve booked us for. For example, a booking from 4.00pm – 5:00pm means we set up from 3:00pm- 4.00pm. We then pack away from 5:00pm – 5:30pm.

Special Events:  The band arrives 1 - 2 hours before performance time or the morning of the event to setup/soundcheck (depending on the agreed upon set up time outlined in the contract). The band setup is approximately 1 – 2 hours depending on the amount of equipment required. The band requires a 16 X 20 stage plot with access to 2 separate 15 amp breakers. A hard surface/stage is required for band performances. Please confirm with the venue that the space and power requirements are available prior to signing of the contract. 

The acoustic duo will set up approximately 1 hour before scheduled start time depending on the amount of equipment required. The acoustic duo requires a 10 X 12 stage plot with access to 1 X 15-amp breaker. If an earlier setup time is required, please let us know so we can make arrangements to do so (This may reflect in the pricing)

Ceremony/cocktail hours: The acoustic duo will arrive up to 1 hour before the scheduled start time to set up. If an earlier setup is required please let us know so we can make arrangements to do so (this may reflect in the pricing). 

Wedding Reception: The band arrives the morning of the reception to setup/soundcheck for weddings in the Niagara Region (no additional cost). For weddings outside the Niagara Region, please let us know if an early setup is required so that we can make arrangements to do so (this may reflect in the pricing).

The band setup is approximately 1 – 2 hours depending on the amount of equipment required. This is also outside of your booked time. The band requires a 16 X 20 stage plot with access to 2 separate 15 amp breakers. Please confirm with the venue that the space and power requirements are available prior to signing of the contract. 

The acoustic duo will set up approximately 1 hour before scheduled start time depending on the amount of equipment required. The acoustic duo requires a 10 X 12 stage plot with access to 1 X 15 amp breaker. If an earlier setup time is required please let us know so we can make arrangements to do so (This will reflect in the pricing).

Yes, The Blackstones promote and encourage inclusivity, performing for any and all LGBTQ weddings/events, we do not discriminate.

Yes The Blackstones have Liability insurance, proof of insurance can be provided upon request.

What sets The Blackstones aside from other wedding/event bands? The Blackstones are not your average “wedding band”. With over 100 five-star reviews across online platforms The Blackstones are no ordinary event band. The 4 core members of the group have been performing together for over 10 years across Ontario at weddings, events, and private parties. When you hire The Blackstones you not only get experienced musicians but high-quality audio and lighting for a performance you that you will not forget. The Blackstones band performs over 250+ hits and the duo can perform more than 500+ songs from different genre’s & era’s, tailoring each performance according to the demographic and desired atmosphere. Bring your wedding/event to the next level with The Blackstones.