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Side One Entertainment

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Last reviewed: August 9, 2026 | Vancouver | Wedding Music |

Business status: Active.

Last reviewed: August 9, 2026. Business status: Active.

Couples searching for a Vancouver wedding band can consider Side One Entertainment for live music spanning the ceremony, cocktail or dinner period and reception dance floor. Its official site identifies the business as Side One Entertainment Ltd., with its head office in Vancouver and bands based in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Seattle.

Side One offers several musical configurations rather than one fixed package. Options documented on its website include dance bands, acoustic groups, ceremony soloists and ensembles, jazz groups, background music and event-audio support. This profile reflects first-party information reviewed on August 9, 2026; couples should obtain a proposal for their particular date, venue and format.

Services and specialization

Side One specializes in live music for weddings and other events. Its wedding service can be assembled from a reception dance band, ceremony musicians, cocktail or dinner music, and production support. The company presents these as components of a customized entertainment package rather than a single standard wedding product.

For ceremonies, the documented coverage includes music while guests arrive, the processional, signing and recessional, followed by departure music. Available configurations include soloists, strings and acoustic duos. Side One also offers professional speakers, wireless microphones and a technician for vows and other spoken portions of the ceremony.

Reception dance and party bands
Live ceremony musicians and custom arrangements
Acoustic or jazz music for cocktails and dinner
Microphones, speakers, mixing and on-site audio technicians
Delivery, setup, on-site mixing and teardown for booked production services

Band formats and wedding-day coverage

Side One lists six-, eight-, ten- and twelve-piece dance-band formats. The six-piece combines male and female vocals with guitar, keyboard, bass and drums. The eight-piece adds tenor saxophone and trumpet, while the ten-piece adds two background vocalists. A twelve-piece big-band configuration expands the horn section.

Smaller background-music choices include solo guitar or piano, pop and jazz duos, jazz trios and quartets, and vocal ensembles. The company states that cocktail reception ensembles ordinarily provide 1.5 hours of music and dinner ensembles provide two hours. Its standard dance-band booking consists of three hours of music within a four-hour call, although timing can be adjusted or extended by agreement.

Service area and who it may suit

The company is headquartered in Vancouver and says it has locally based musicians in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Seattle. Its Vancouver page describes work across British Columbia, including the Okanagan and Vancouver Island, and the company also accepts destination inquiries. Travel beyond a local tier can add mileage, accommodation, ferry, flight or work-visa costs.

The service may suit couples who want live performers for several parts of the day or who prefer to combine music and audio management through one provider. The range of acoustic and full dance-band formats also gives couples different options to discuss when venue space, guest count or noise rules affect the setup.

Confirmed strengths and practical limitations

A documented strength is the breadth of configurations: couples can discuss ceremony, background and dance music without assuming that the same ensemble must perform every segment. Side One also documents in-house audio support for its bands, ceremonies and speeches, including equipment, a technician and setup services.

The official FAQ explains that Side One uses a roster method rather than one permanently fixed group of musicians. Performers know the same material and service standards, and the assigned band leader is introduced closer to the event. Couples who want particular voices, instruments or performers should therefore ask what can be contractually confirmed.

Practical limitations in the published information include the absence of fixed package prices and public date availability. Venue requirements, production scope and cancellation or rescheduling terms also need to be obtained directly before a booking decision.

Pricing

Current pricing is not explicitly published. Side One prepares custom quotes based on the requested music and production services. Its site says that larger bands cost more, while smaller background configurations can be added to a dance-band package or priced à la carte.

Other stated cost factors include travel tier, guest count, room size, layout and the number of audio setups. For example, separate rooms for dinner speeches and dancing may require a second sound system at an additional cost. Couples should request an itemized quote showing band size, performance time, production equipment, technician labour, travel, accommodation, taxes, overtime and optional services.

Current prices are not published on the official pages reviewed.

Contact and booking

Booking inquiries can be made through the official contact form or by emailing info@sideone.ca. The Vancouver head office is listed at 121 – 418 East Kent Ave South, Vancouver, BC V5X 2X7, with telephone number +1 604 809 3746.

The contact page asks for the event date, venue or city, occasion and approximate guest count. After receiving those details, the company recommends a configuration and any additional ceremony or production services. Its planning questionnaire is then used to gather timing, musical preferences, requests and logistical information.

What couples should confirm

Before signing, confirm that the proposed ensemble matches both the desired sound and the venue’s stage, power and noise conditions. Ask the venue whether it already supplies microphones, speakers or an audio technician so that duplicate production is not included unnecessarily.

Couples should also confirm the exact performance schedule, break coverage, load-in and sound-check timing, meal or green-room requirements, overtime rate and travel charges. Discuss ceremony cues, first-dance music and must-play or do-not-play choices early: the official FAQ asks for special-song selections one month before the event.

Finally, request written details covering the assigned band configuration, substitution process, deposit and payment schedule, insurance, cancellation or postponement terms, and what happens if venue restrictions or weather affect an outdoor performance.

Continue planning

Frequently asked questions

Does Side One Entertainment provide wedding ceremony music?

Yes. Its official ceremony page lists guest-arrival music, the processional, signing, recessional and departure music. Options include soloists, strings, acoustic duos and other customized ensembles, with ceremony audio support also available.

Can Side One learn a first-dance song?

The official FAQ says a dance-band booking includes one custom song learn, which can be used for the first dance or another selection. Ceremony processional, signing and recessional selections can also be arranged. Special choices are requested at least one month before the event.

What sizes of wedding band does Side One offer?

Published dance-band formats include six, eight, ten and twelve musicians. The FAQ also mentions three- to five-person acoustic groups for smaller spaces or guest counts, plus larger twelve- and sixteen-piece options available by inquiry.

How long does the reception band play?

Side One describes its standard dance-band booking as three hours of live music within a four-hour call. Its preferred structure is two 90-minute sets with a 30-minute break, but the FAQ says the schedule can be divided differently and additional time can be arranged.

Does Side One publish wedding prices?

Current pricing is not explicitly published. Quotes are customized according to band size, services, production needs, venue layout, guest count, timing and travel requirements.