Frequently Asked Questions
My name Is Liz Valles and I am the lead singer and manager for the band. Drawing on over 15 years’ experience of working with brides and planners, I can help you to plan your special night. Think of me as your personal wedding reception coordinator.
I will work with you to develop a timeline that includes song selections for the first dance, F/D and M/S dances, cake cutting, toasts, bouquet, and garter toss. I will schedule a venue walk through to review all arrival logistics. I will then emcee your night making all announcements using a wireless mic. It’s your special night~ relax and enjoy the celebration!
Do you have any questions I can answer? Feel free to email me directly at band@dejabluband.com
Q: Where are you based?
A: We are based in Denver, Colorado.
Q: Who will I be working with?
A: We are not an agency. We are independently owned and operated. Call us a Boutique operation where you will receive one on one attention from the moment you decide that The Deja Blu Variety Dance Band is the band for you! You will work directly with me; I am the manager and lead singer. Before starting the band, I spent years in the corporate world as an high level accountant. I am extremely organized, great at communication and easy to work with. Of course, I am a stickler about the details and love spreadsheets!
“Liz went out of her way to make the process easy; she met with us to discuss our needs, was responsive to calls and emails, wrote out a timeline for the entire wedding & helped keep the reception flowing”
– Mark and Kristen – Steamboat Springs Wedding
Q: How many members are in the band?
A: We can configure our band from 5-7 musicians depending on the size of your venue and budget. You choose ~ 2 lead singers (male & female), keyboards, lead guitar, bass guitar, drums. All sing lead and backup vocals. Add our sax player for the extra “secret sauce” Dave really adds the sizzle and spice if you are looking for a bigger sound with horns
Q: Can you emcee my wedding?
A: I will emcee your entire wedding and work with you and your planner to create a timeline for the night. Then, using a wireless mic, I will announce the first dances, cake cutting, garter and bouquet tosses. Feel free to use my wireless mic for your toasts!
Q: Do you have liability insurance?
A: We have a $2 Million dollar policy with Marsh Insurance.
Q: What does the client have to provide?
A: We ask for two separate power outlets of 20 AMPS each. We need solid ground and coverage from the elements (if outdoors) and for our 7-piece band – a 16 x 20 stage area or performance area. A raised stage is ideal so that your guest can see the band. We usually ask for a vendor meal to be served at least 45 minutes before we perform.
Q: How many breaks do you normally take?
A: We build our breaks around the timeline for your event. Normally, we will need a short break after 60-90 minutes.
Q: Can you perform music for my ceremony?
A: Yes! Using members from the band, we can provide custom options for your ceremony with solo, duo or trio. We can provide flute, piano or acoustic guitar. Since you are using members of the Deja Blu band to perform the ceremony, we can discount our prices and save you hundreds of dollars vs. the expense of hiring separate musicians. If you prefer strings for your ceremony, we can recommend talented and experienced classical string musicians.
Q: I want live music for the cocktail/dinner hour- can you do that?
A: Absolutely! Please be sure to check out our Lite Blu Trio and Quartet. We will often have the smaller group start the night off. Let the trio set the stage for your guests as they sip cocktails and mingle. They provide a lovely backdrop to start the night off. When the time is right, our 7-piece band will take the stage and pack the dance floor with your favorite dance tunes!
Q: How far do you travel?
A: Have Band ~ Will Travel! If over 90 miles from Denver, we may require overnight lodging.
Q: Will the band learn special requests? Can I pick the music you play?
A: Yes! Don’t see your favorite song on our play list? Just ask! We gladly take requests. We have over 200 songs on our play list and it continues to grow. We want to play the songs YOU want to hear, so we ask that you please pick your favorites songs and don’t forget to include song you DON’T want us to play? Once I have a feel for your likes/prefer no list, I will put together a night of high energy dance music guaranteed to pack the dance floor all night. We have something for all ages and tastes in music.
Q: Do you provide a sound system or do I?
A: We are 100% self-contained and own our top of the line QSC PA System, two trees of professional LED lights. We also have a smaller, powered Mackie PA that can be used for a variety of things such as solo, duo performers or used for IPod music in a different location than the main PA . We can also use it for your ceremony, if needed. We work with a full-time sound man who will be there the entire night.
Q: What do you play during breaks?
A: Our sound man will play our iPod with your pre-selected break music. If you use Spotify, we will gladly download your customize playlist for breaks, dinner or cocktail music.
Q: What is your price?
A: Since we are independently managed and we are not an agency, our prices are extremely reasonable. We offer various packages that can be customized with options to fit your ideas and your budget. Pricing is based on factors such as the number of hours requested for live music, the size of the band, whether we play your ceremony, venue location, sound system requirements, load in & set up logistics, number of guests, fuel & travel time. It’s always a challenge to quote a price without speaking directly with you. Call or email our manager, Liz, today (303) 517-9852 or band@dejabluband.com to get a quote for your event!
Q: Do you hold dates?
A: After our initial consultation, I will place a “courtesy hold” on your date for 7 days. If another couple were to contact me about your date, I will let you know that we have another interested couple AND I also let the couple know.
Q: How do we book our date with you?
A: To secure and lock in your date, we require a signed contract with a 50% retainer. The balance will be due two weeks before your event. Once this is done, we will notify all other interested couples that their date is no longer available. We will put this date on our calendar as “booked” and will not entertain any other inquiries for your date.
Q: Is it possible to see you perform live?
A: The majority of our shows are private events, but we do play a few public events, primarily in the summer. Please check our schedule to see where we will be next! I invite you to spend time on the over 100 5-star reviews we have received and check out our live demo videos. They speak tons!
Q: Is it possible to meet you in person to discuss my event?
A: Of course! If you live in the Denver Metro area, I will be more than happy to meet you for coffee or lunch. I can arrange a ZOOM video call or FaceTime session if you are out of state and it is not convenient for you. I offer a ½ free consultation and can provide lots of valuable advice and suggestions that can make your night unforgettable!