FAQs

We have performed as a Jewish Wedding Band in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Byron Bay!! We approach a Jewish Wedding Band gig the same as any wedding, but we understand that Jewish weddings require large energetic bands that really crank the dance floor…particularly the Hora set. With the Hora, we work with many Jewish wedding singers in Melbourne and Sydney who specialise in singing the hora. Tull Kidron and Isser Feiglin are a couple of our preferred singers to work with. We do not need to rehearse with these singers, they bring their charts, and then our musicians act as the driving rhythm section. The Hora set is a particularly enjoyable gig for us. It’s fun, energetic, wild and sweaty!

Our DJ service can only be booked in conjunction with a live band combination.  And it can only be booked for a maximum of 3hrs.  This is at a rate of $140 inc gst per hour, and $70 per half hour.  Please also note that our DJ work is very basic.  We are not beat juggling.  We supply the PA system and a lap top with a varied Spotify play list.  We are happy to receive song selections from you prior to the day, take requests on the night, and we’re even happy to hook up your own playlist to the PA system if you prefer.

We understand that planning a wedding can become pretty overwhelming! We realise that booking a wedding band raises various questions – particularly with our business model that allows couples to DIY the configuration (incidentally, we think this is part of the fun!). To help with this decision we have prepared some brief explanations and options for
The White Tree Band’s different line ups…

Firstly, please note that the size of the band also means the number of musicians. So a 3 piece band has 3 musicians, a 4 piece band has 4 musicians etc. Our male singers double as either a guitarist or keyboardist, so with them you are effectively receiving “2 for the price of 1”. Whoo hoo!

From out point of view, the bigger the band = the better the sound (and more fun for everyone). However, we obviously understand that there are budget restraints when planning a wedding, so we’ve therefore come up with configurations that are designed to suit all budgets…

Also please note that the overall size and volume associated with the line ups below does not really vary much. The bulkiest bits of equipment are the drums, bass and PA system – and these are prevalent in every line up. As a rule of thumb, a band will take up about 3m deep x 4m wide (give or take a little). Also, the overall volume is controlled by the mixing desk, so again, the decibel level doesn’t change much between a 3 and 9 piece band.

2 Piece Band – *A small acoustic option for laid back settings only (please see detailed information regarding our 2 band band below)

3 Piece Band – This has the basic elements you need for a band…A singer (important for obvious reasons), a chord instrument (which is guitar or keyboard – this offers the harmonic structure), bass (this fills out the bottom end of the sound) and drums (vital for the dance sets later on…people get down and jiggy with the beat of the drums!). Our male singers double as either guitarists or keyboardists, so even though there are only 3 musicians, you still have a solid core band. This line up cannot include a female singer as she does not double as a chord instrumentalist.

The 3 piece can only be Male Vocals/Guitar, Bass and Drums OR Male Vocals/Keyboard, Bass and Drums. A good 3 piece is fine for the early on chilled sets, and good for the dance sets too, but repertoire is slightly limited, and sonically it doesn’t sound quite as rich and full as the bigger band sizes.
It can also be a tiring gig for the singer as they need to cover all the vocals and all the chord parts by themselves.
Summing up…the 3 piece still does the job, and it’s good for the budget!

4 Piece Band – The 4 piece offers you the choice of an additional musician/instrument. In terms of the best instrument for the 4th, we strongly suggest adding the second chord instrument first, meaning a line up of Male Vocals/Guitar, Bass, Drums and Keyboard.
We understand that it’s tempting for couples to book a 4 piece with the addition of a female singer, but in our years of experience, this isn’t the best option. It’s much more important to fill out the sound first, by adding the second chord instrument. This leads to a much more energetic sound for the dance sets, and helps the male singer to rock out with support from the second chord instrument. The best way to explain the benefits of 2 x chord instruments is by a song example. Check out “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk. Have a listen to the band parts that are at work…the keyboard and guitar are both extremely prevalent. This is the case for 99% of all pop songs, that is, keyboard AND guitar are busy at work. If you are tossing up between a 3 and a 4 piece, we strongly suggest going with the 4…it’s a much more energetic line up.

5 Piece Band – This is a very popular line up for weddings. It offers great repertoire versatility and a diverse sound.
Once you get up to a 5 piece, there are a few more options for you to take advantage of. Below are the 3 main line ups that we do for a 5 piece configuration…they all sound great…

5 piece option 1: Male Vocals/Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboard and Female Vocals

5 piece option 2: Male Vocals/Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboard and Saxophone

5 piece option 3: Male Vocals/Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboard and Latin Percussion

Option 1 sees the awesome addition of a female singer. Our female singers are the best in the country, and cover
the top 40, pop and soul music extremely well.

Option 2 is the roundness of a 4 piece but with the funky addition of sax. Adding sax is great because it can give standard covers a new jazzy element which makes it sound more original…and less cheesy.

Option 3 is great for the dance sets. Adding Latin Percussion (congas, bongos and timbales) can add a lot of energy to the dance floor. Before you know it, your guests will be forming conga lines and dancing around the floor like tribal warriors.

6 Piece Band – This is another common line up for weddings. It offers great repertoire versatility and a diverse sound.
A 6 piece allows some great options for you to take advantage of. Below are the best options for this line up…

6 piece option 1: Male Vocals/Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboard, Saxophone and Trumpet

6 piece option 2: Male Vocals/Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboard, Latin Percussion and Saxophone

6 piece option 3: Male Vocals/Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboard, Female Vocals and Saxophone

Option 1 has the punch and excitement of a full horn section. Saxophone and Trumpet together sound awesome!!
*On that note, if booking only one brass instrument, you’ll notice that we suggest saxophone not trumpet, this is because sax blends better than trumpet with the other instruments). Here is a perfect example of saxophone and trumpet working together extremely well. *Skip to around 2mins if you’re time poor.
Option 2 is a great energetic sound for the dance sets. It has the drive of percussion and the funky sound of sax too.
Option 3 has the versatility of 2 x vocalists, and also the saxophone grooving away.

7 Piece Band – This is one of our favourite line ups for large scale weddings. It is incredibly impressive visually and sonically. It has the versatility of two singers as well as the punch of a full brass section.
There’s of course scope for choice, but the most common 7 piece line ups are one of two below…

Option 1 featuring Male Vocals/Guitar, Keyboard, Bass, Drums, Female Vocals, Trumpet and Saxophone

Option 2 featuring Male Vocals/Guitar, Keyboard, Bass, Drums, Female Vocals, Saxophone and Latin Percussion

8 Piece Band – The energy and sound just keeps getting better and better! The standard configuration we do for this band
size is as follows: Male Vocals/Guitar, Keyboard, Bass, Drums, Female Vocals, Saxophone, Trumpet and Latin Percussion.
If your budget allows, this is a knock out band line up!!

9 Piece Band – This is a brilliant band configuration for elaborate weddings with large guests numbers (200+). The sound is incredible.
The standard configuration we do for this band size is as follows: Male Vocals/Guitar, Keyboard, Bass, Drums, Female Vocals, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone and Latin Percussion. Adding trombone to the sound creates an extremely punchy and bright horn section – it has that real Big Band sound that’s classy and energetic.

Note: The 2 piece band line up is up to you, but common configurations are Male Vocals/Guitar & Female Vocals. Male Vocals/Keyboard & Female Vocals. Female Vocals & Guitar. Male Vocals/Guitar & Percussion. Male Vocals/Keyboard & Double Bass.

Yes! We offer acoustic duos for corporate events and weddings alike.  The word “acoustic” technically means un-amplified, but it has come to also describe a genre of music…particularly for weddings and events.  Acoustic music is an appropriate style for the early/chilled stages of a function, when guests are sipping cocktails and wanting to chat.  The music should add to the ambience here, not dominate.  There’s the typical type of “acoustic music” such as Angus & Julia Stone, Jack Johnson and Cold Play, but it can be more adventurous than that.  We can do Justin Bieber, Radio Head, The Beatles and Kings Of Leon in acoustic styles as well.  Ultimately, with a stripped back line up (e.g. soft vocals, acoustic guitar, double bass, light percussion etc) we can do any song with an “acoustic” feel, and that’s a hip way to mix things up.

This is our custom combo which combines a live duo (e.g. Male Vocals and Female Vocals) and our singer remaining behind to DJ tunes for the latter stages of the night. The price online is based on a 5hr call, e.g. 7pm – 12am. *Note, this package includes up to 100 minutes of live music. You can divide this time how you please, but the sets must fall within the first 3hrs of the booking. The remaining time is taken up with DJ tunes. Please also note that our DJ work is very basic! We are not beat juggling or mixing songs like Calvin Harris! We simply supply the PA system and a lap top with a varied Spotify play list. We are happy to receive some song selections from you prior to the day, take requests on the night, and we’re even happy to hook up your own playlist to the PA system if you prefer.

The 2 piece band is a custom option which features a 5hr call spanning the ceremony, canapés and early part of the reception only (e.g. 4:30pm – 9:30pm). This line up is for couples who want some chilled live music for the early stages of the night. It is not a line up for couples who want their dance floor going crazy.

It features our standard ceremony package inclusions, and an additional 3 x 45min sets (or rather, 135mins – to be positioned however the client pleases). The live music component cannot go any later than 10pm. A maximum of 2 x set up locations are allowed. For additional set up locations, an additional charge may be involved. Power must be accessible for all locations.

There is strictly no other variation that can be made to this 2 piece package, except for the addition of PA/DJ hire. This involves our lead singer remaining at your event to DJ tunes through the PA system. This comes at a rate of $140 per additional hour and $70 per half hour.

If you would like The White Tree Band to perform at your wedding or corporate event, you will first need to check we are available – we do book out well in advance! If you would like to check out the band at a live gig prior to booking, you can attend one of our showcase gigs (no need to pre-book…just rock along!) Full details here.

Our online booking form requires you to fill out your contact details and select the band line up you would like. We are obviously on hand to help you with this decision. If you don’t know whether you’re after a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 piece band
at this stage (!!!), then just enter a tentative band size for the initial enquiry purpose or read the detailed info below…

The White Tree Band’s prices include up to 5 hours attendance featuring 4 x 45min sets of live music, and background/”DJ” music on iPod controlled through our sound system during band breaks. Please note, the 4 x 45min set times can be adjusted to fit in with your specific running sheet – that is, the 180mins total playing time can be positioned however you like.

The 5 hour duration satisfies most wedding reception and corporate event durations as most venues work to 5 hour packages – usually 6pm to 11pm, or 7pm to 12am. If you would like the band at your reception for a period longer than 5 hours, that is of course fine but an additional cost may be involved.

It takes us approximately 45mins to fully set up and sound check the band. This additional time is not considered part of the 5 hour period and does not carry any additional cost. For example, if you book The White Tree Band for your wedding or corporate event which starts at 6pm and finishes at 11pm, we would arrive at 4:45pm – 5pm.

The White Tree Band is based in the CBD locations of Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane, but we travel far and wide. We do lots of wedding gigs in Byron Bay, Noosa, Margaret River, Daylesford, Yarra Valley, Hunter Valley…and many other rural locations around Australia. Travel is worked out on a per musician basis. Any location that is within 45 minutes of the CBD has no associated travel fee. Beyond that, costs per musician are added to cover their travel time and petrol costs. Our booking managers can supply you with custom travel quotes when you notify them of your venue location. *Note, couples who get married very far from the CBD often opt for a smaller band size (say a 3, 4 or 5 piece) as this keeps the overall cost down.

We’re based in the CBD locations of Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Hobart/Launceston, Perth and Brisbane, but we travel far and wide. We do lots of wedding gigs in Byron Bay, Noosa, Margaret River, Daylesford, Yarra Valley, Hunter Valley…and many other rural locations around Australia.  We love this, as this often makes for some of the best visual backdrops to work with.

Travel is worked out on a per filmmaker basis (remember our Level 1 has 1 x filmmaker, and our Level 2 & 3 has 2 x filmmakers). Any location that is within 45 minutes of the CBD has no associated travel fee. Beyond that, costs per filmmaker are added to cover their travel time and petrol costs. Generally, if a wedding is around 2hrs from a CBD location, accommodation will also be required, and charged on a per filmmaker basis.  Our booking managers can supply you with custom travel quotes when you notify them of your venue location.

Obviously we are not to know a couple’s budget, so we can’t advise you in that area! But in terms of the offerings, the Levels are largely determined by the coverage and length of edits. So, if you’re not interested in having any of the reception covered, then Level 1 would be fine. But if you want your bridal dance and speeches covered, or right up to the final reception farewells captured, then you should go for level 2 or 3.

Here is a rough example of how the coverage of the 3 Levels work…

Level 1 (4 hrs coverage – e.g. 2pm – 6pm) *Includes 1 x filmmaker only

2pm – 2:20pm: Groom Preparations
2:30pm – 3:10pm: Bride Preps
3:30pm – 4:15pm: Ceremony
4:30pm – 5:30pm: Location Shoot
5:45pm – 6pm: Canapes and Reception Arrival

Level 2 (7 hrs coverage – e.g. 2pm – 9pm)

2pm – 2:20pm: Groom Preparations
2:30pm – 3:10pm: Bride Preps
3:30pm – 4:15pm: Ceremony
4:30pm – 5:30pm: Location Shoot
5:45pm – 6pm: Canapes and Reception Arrival
7pm: Speeches
8pm: Cake Cutting & Bridal Dance
8:15pm – 9pm: Dance Floor Action

Level 3 (10 hrs coverage – e.g. 2pm – 12am)

2pm – 2:30pm: Groom Preparations
2:40pm – 3:30pm: Bride Preps
4pm – 5:00pm: Ceremony
5:15pm – 6:30pm: Location Shoot
6:45pm – 7pm: Canapes and Reception Arrival
8pm: Speeches
9pm: Meals
9:20pm: More Speeches
9:45pm: Bridal Dance
10pm – 11:30pm: Dance Floor Action
11:45pm: Bouquet/Garter
11:50pm – 12am: Final Farewells

* As it gets closer to the wedding, if you feel you need some extra time up your sleeve, you can easily add 1 x additional hour to any level.

Whether you book us for Level 1, 2 or 3, you always receive 3 x edits: The Cinematic Show Reel, a short Instagram Edit and The Raw Edit. The Show Reel is essentially a highlights reel, rightly edited to a soundtrack of your choice. It’s like a modern music film clip. The length varies slightly depending on which level you book.  The Instagram is a short snippet of the Show Reel, edited to stock library music so you can post it online and share it with ya pals.

The Raw Edit is essentially all the raw footage we capture throughout the shoot. It includes your ceremony in full, behind the scenes moments and all of your reception speeches (if your chosen Level covers this stage of the day). It mixes natural audio and a soundtrack of your choice. The Raw Edit is rougher in appearance than the Cinematic Show Reel but it ensures you have a comprehensive documentation of the day.

We’re based in the CBD locations of Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Hobart/Launceston, Perth and Brisbane, but we travel far and wide. We do lots of wedding gigs in Byron Bay, Noosa, Margaret River, Daylesford, Yarra Valley, Hunter Valley…and many other rural locations around Australia.  We love this, as this often makes for some of the best visual backdrops to work with.

Travel is worked out on a per photographer basis (remember our Level 1 & 2 has 1 x photographer, and our Level 3 has 2 x photographers). Any location that is within 45 minutes of the CBD has no associated travel fee. Beyond that, costs per photographer are added to cover their travel time and petrol costs. Generally, if a wedding is around 2hrs from a CBD location, accommodation will also be required, and charged on a per filmmaker basis.  Our booking managers can supply you with custom travel quotes when you notify them of your venue location.

Obviously we are not to know a couple’s budget, so we can’t advise you in that area! But in terms of the offerings, the Levels are largely determined by the coverage. So, if you’re not interested in having any of the reception covered, then Level 1 would be fine. But if you want your bridal dance and speeches covered, or all the crazy dance floor action and final farewells captured, then you should go for level 2 or 3.

Here is a rough example of how the coverage of the 3 Levels work…

Level 1 (4 hrs coverage – e.g. 2pm – 6pm) *Includes 1 x photographer only

2pm – 2:20pm: Groom Preparations
2:30pm – 3:10pm: Bride Preps
3:30pm – 4:15pm: Ceremony
4:30pm – 5:30pm: Location Shoot
5:45pm – 6pm: Canapes and Reception Arrival

Level 2 (7 hrs coverage – e.g. 2pm – 9pm) *1 x photographer only

2pm – 2:20pm: Groom Preparations
2:30pm – 3:10pm: Bride Preps
3:30pm – 4:15pm: Ceremony
4:30pm – 5:30pm: Location Shoot
5:45pm – 6pm: Canapes and Reception Arrival
7pm: Speeches
8pm: Cake Cutting & Bridal Dance
8:15pm – 9pm: Dance Floor Action

Level 3 (10 hrs coverage – e.g. 2pm – 12am) *2 x photographers

2pm – 2:30pm: Groom Preparations
2:40pm – 3:30pm: Bride Preps
4pm – 5:00pm: Ceremony
5:15pm – 6:30pm: Location Shoot
6:45pm – 7pm: Canapes and Reception Arrival
8pm: Speeches
9pm: Meals
9:20pm: More Speeches
9:45pm: Bridal Dance
10pm – 11:30pm: Dance Floor Action
11:45pm: Bouquet/Garter
11:50pm – 12am: Final Farewells

* As it gets closer to the wedding, if you feel you need some extra time up your sleeve, you can easily add 1 x additional hour to any level.

Whether you book us for Level 1, 2 or 3, you always receive an online gallery containing some highlights shots, along with your full collection of hi res photos on USB (as colour and B+W): The number of final photos delivered depends on which level you book – consult The Essentials section more more info.