A passion for music led to a career in the music business for Andrew Dalrymple. He’s played the part of band manager and guitarist for a 10-piece funk orchestra he founded in Melbourne Australia. The Burlington native ultimately decided to venture home, taking his talents to Toronto where he’s now building a career that local brides and grooms are going to be particularly interested in.
Shortly after coming home to Ontario and attending several weddings in the Toronto area, Andrew felt that he could offer brides something better - something new and fresh. And most importantly, something live!
He says, "Being a musician, but first and foremost being a music lover, I became aware of the difference live music has on the energy of a crowd." And with that, The St. Royals were born. A group of Toronto-based professional musicians who love to perform at weddings and create a memorable evening for both the couple and the crowd. As the band leader, Andrew is finding inspiration offering couples a live band that can be customized to each unique wedding, musical taste, and that fits in with just about any budget. For the St. Royals, it’s all about bringing back the energy and excitement of live music, setting the stage for the ultimate wedding day. The St. Royals are one of our favourite finds for 2011 and here’s why…
Personally speaking…
Andrew started his music career as a child, first taking piano lessons and later switching to guitar. He's been playing guitar for 17 years and has taken a music course at Berklee College of Music. He has founded and managed bands and written and composed music for years. Today, Andrew focuses on giving brides and grooms the "wow" factor on their wedding day. "We give our clients what they want. We inspire dancing and celebrating. If a bride or groom isn't sure what they want, they come to our showcases and discover what they want."
Andrew has noticed that his love for live music is also a growing trend with couples planning their wedding. "Couples are starting to lean away from wedding DJ's and are incorporating live bands more often. Also, grooms are more and more involved with booking the live music!"
Couples interested in booking the St. Royals can check out their website at www.stroyals.com where they can see some live performances on the homepage and get a taste of what the band can do. It's a chance to see some different styles and configurations and get some inspiration for their wedding day.
A Modern Twist
This isn't your old school wedding band that only plays the oldies. Andrew says, "The age range of our performers is 25 to 35. We grew up with the same people looking to book us for their weddings. We know the songs and anthems that define our generation." With that said, the St. Royals will still play those classic hits that get the crowd going. The band can mix up their style throughout the night, depending on the couples’ vision.
Andrew says it's important for the bride and groom to feel like the music at their wedding is representative of their individual style. There are several band members and styles of music, including Funk, Soul, Motown and R&B, that the bride and groom can pick and choose from to play at their wedding. Andrew will work with the couple to create a customized band tailored to their special day. "From a cozy trio to a slamming party orchestra with a horn section, we do it all! The clients have the option to pick and choose the performers they like and we will create a band that fits their musical vision and their budget. "
Recently, Kim Kucher, of The Wedding Ring, had the chance to see the St. Royals perform at the Mix, Mingle, Marry Bridal Show. "I was blown away by their talent! Their entire band is composed of professional musicians. Their song selection was current, and flawless, and they can customize any wedding to the preferences of the Bride and Groom!”
Going the Extra Mile
As music lovers, the St. Royals believe it's important for brides and grooms to experience a live performance before booking the band for their wedding day. The couple is invited to attend one of their many showcases in and around Toronto and the GTA. At the showcase, the couple can see the band perform live and get a good feel for the different band configurations. They can also spend some time getting to know the band members and ask any questions they might have. This helps the couple discover whether their looking for a three piece jazz band, a seven piece funk band, or anything in between. Andrew says, " It gives the clients a chance to make a completely informed decision, because let's face it, how many people have hired a professional band before? Coming to the showcase is also a fun experience unto itself."
Andrew knows how much work goes into planning a wedding. He also knows that it can be overwhelming hiring a live band for the first time. That's why it's his mission to make the entire process, from booking the band, to the last performance on the wedding night, as smooth and simple as possible. After the couple decides what type of band they want and how long they want them to play for, he takes care of everything else. Andrew works directly with the venue manager so that the couple doesn't have to worry about the details.
Andrew also wants couples to know that they can have live music on their wedding day at a reasonable price. He works with the couple to find an ideal option that fits within their budget. While many couples might shy away from booking a live band based on price, Andrew says the band can be tailored to fit within just about any budget. He says, "Our target brides and grooms have nothing to do with high budget or low budget... The ideal target is the bride and groom who are music lovers and know there is something more special about having a live band perform the music at their wedding!"
It's All about the Music
The St. Royals can perform in any configuration the bride and groom have in mind. Andrew says the 5-piece and 7-piece bands are the most popular. With the 5-piece band, couples will have both a male and a female vocalist. "It gives The St. Royals the full-range of our repertoire and a full rhythm section, which is very sonically full and pleasing!" The 7-piece band features the same arrangements but adds two horns, a trumpet and usually a saxophone. "A horn section is really special and electrifies the air. The difference is amazing! Having horns really pumps the dance floor. We burn through more parquet with the 7-piece than any other band!"
The St. Royals say they go into each show with one goal in mind, to get the party going. They build their repertoire on music that inspires dancing and thus, play a long list of Funk, Soul, Motown and R&B hits.
While the St. Royals usually perform after dinner and speeches are finished, they are also available during cocktail hour or even during the ceremony, depending on the couple’s vision. Their popular After Dinner Packages include a cocktail DJ. The band leader will play music on their PA system while guests arrive at the reception hall and mingle over cocktails.
For Jewish weddings and weddings where dancing is a main focus, the St. Royals offer a ton of live music and even bigger bands. They feature a 9-piece band and four or five hours of live music, including live music for cocktail hour or any part of the wedding day that the couple desires. Prices depend on the couples specific requests and can contact Andrew for more information.
What you’ll spend on the St. Royals depends on the size of the live band and length of time you would like them to perform. For example, prices start at $1900 for a 3-piece live band and go up to $4250 for a 9-piece live band with a three hour performance.
The most popular package includes three sets of live music after dinner and a “cocktail hour DJ” which means that they’ll supply music even when they’re not on stage. This package with a 3-piece band (male vocalist, drums, bass, keyboards) is $1900. Bump up the sound with a 4-piece band (adding guitar) and you’re looking in the neighbourhood of $2250. A 5-piece (add a female vocalist, for example) is $2600. Add a sax, and it’s $3200. You can even add a second trumpet, for example, bringing the package up to $3550.
The bottom line is that it’s really about you. What type of sound you want, how big or small you’d like your live band to be, and how many sets you need them to play. By being flexible in size and sound, the St. Royals are aiming to play into the budgets of any Toronto area wedding that has true music-lovers at the altar.
The St. Royals have also recently added string quartets to their list of options. This is a fabulous idea for the ceremony and/or cocktail hour, adding an extra element of elegance to your wedding day.
Because all bands need breaks between sets, the St. Royals bring their own music to play over the sound system if you need them to. This music can be customized as well. The bride and groom can make a playlist of their favourite songs for the DJ to play during the cocktail hour and breaks. This saves you on the cost of hiring a DJ to fill the silence.
All of these options just touch on the prices and ideas that Andrew can work with you on for your wedding. He says your best bet is to contact him for a specific run-through of what you have in mind, and then he can create a custom quote for your event. Andrew says he works with the bride and groom to find the option that works best for their specific requests.
Walking you through it....
When a couple initially contacts Andrew, he is available to meet with them at their home or a local coffee shop to find out specifics about their vision. He will go over some popular options that the couple might enjoy. He invites the couple to see a live performance at one of their showcases to help them get an idea of different options they offer. Once the couple has decided on the kind of band they want and when they'd like the live music to happen, Andrew will take a deposit that secures the St. Royals for the couple's wedding date.
On the day of the wedding, the band will setup and do a sound check before any guests arrive. The band leader stays for the duration and plays cocktail music over the speakers while the guests mingle and prepare for dinner. As dinner and speeches finish, the full band arrives to kick off the celebration with three sets of music that run approximately forty-five to sixty minutes each.
After the wedding Andrew says, "People talk about what a great night it was, how good the food was and especially how great the live band was!"
Details, details, details
•Popular packages start at $1900 and go up to $4250. However, Andrew will work with couples to create a customized package that works with the couple's vision and budget
•All prices are subject to HST
•15% down payment is required when booking
•Travel fees may apply if outside of the GTA. Contact Andrew for a specific quote
•Couples can book over a year in advance but Andrew can often accommodate last minute requests
