The Wedding Singer: What It’s Really Like (ft. Jamie Kauffman)

Perhaps you’ve attended a wedding reception where a great band kept you dancing the whole night. What fun! Perhaps if you’re a vocalist, you’ve considered looking into wedding band work or are curious about what it really entails.

Abby Payne: What is your typical schedule like on a Saturday when you have a wedding gig?

Jamie Kauffman: Since I’m usually not involved in the ceremony or cocktail hour, I don’t have to arrive at the venue until around 5 or 6 p.m. That gives me the chance to have a slow, intentional day beforehand.

I start my morning with breakfast and make sure I begin hydrating right away. Before the gig, I usually spend time journaling, doing yoga or another form of movement and stretching, and reviewing any special dances or new songs I’ll be singing that night. I also make sure to eat another meal before I leave. We’re always provided dinner at the venue, but I never like to perform on an empty stomach.

After lunch, I do my hair and makeup, choose my dress, and head out. Depending on the venue, my drive can be anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. If I’m driving, I love listening to music on the way to get in the right headspace. If one of my bandmates is driving, I’ll often bring a book and read during the ride. Once I arrive, I warm up my voice in the car before getting ready to sing at a four-hour wedding reception.

Throughout the night, I sing the special dances, dinner music, and multiple dance sets, with breaks for speeches and dinner. As soon as the gig is over, I change into comfy clothes and make the drive home.

AP: What are the best things about singing at weddings? And what are the challenges?

JK: The best part is getting to be a small part of such an important day in someone’s life. There’s something really special about singing a couple’s first dance or an emotional father-daughter dance. I also love the moment after dinner, when all of the formalities are finished, and everyone is finally ready to let loose and dance for the rest of the night.

One of the biggest challenges is pacing myself vocally. Wedding receptions often include a lot of high-energy, belty pop songs, so I have to be strategic about when I’m giving 100% and when I need to pull back to conserve my voice. That becomes even more important during the busiest part of wedding season, when we might have three weddings in a single weekend.

AP: What are the most important things you do to stay healthy during busy seasons?

JK: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! I notice a huge difference in how my voice feels and functions when I stay hydrated, especially with electrolytes. Hydration is always important, but I find it especially helpful when my voice feels tired or inflamed.

I also try to limit unnecessary talking during my breaks so I can give my voice a chance to recover between sets. During busy seasons, I make sleep a priority whenever I can.

AP: I know some NYVC students are interested in getting into the wedding business. How did you get into this work yourself?

JK: My biggest piece of advice is to get on a sub list. Most of the singers I know—including myself—got started by subbing with wedding bands before joining one more regularly. It’s a great way to gain experience without immediately committing to a full-time schedule, and it gives you the opportunity to learn how wedding gigs work.

To get started, research wedding bands or entertainment companies in your area, find singers whose work you admire, and reach out to connect. Social media has made networking much easier, and you never know when someone might need a sub!

AP: Do you have any advice for vocalists who are already doing wedding work, or for those who are interested in doing so?

JK: Take care of your voice. Many wedding singers are also teaching, recording, performing other gigs, or creating their own music, so it’s easy to overbook yourself. Listen to your body and be careful not to spread yourself too thin.

I also recommend building a relationship with an ENT or laryngologist. I try to schedule a yearly checkup just to make sure everything is healthy, even if I’m not having any vocal issues. Staying proactive about your vocal health can make a huge difference over the course of your career.