Special song requests?

Of course, always, at no extra charge!

Custom break-song mixes?

Absolutely.

MC service?

Naturally, at no extra charge!

“You are the consummate professional! Your energy, heart, and talent helped us realize a joyful celebration!”

GLOSSER/WODLINGER WEDDING, THE GOLF CLUB AT NEWCASTLE

Forget DJs - Michael Benson Band Keeps Your Dance Floor Packed All Night Long!

We’re known for delivering a high-energy experience that’s anything but ordinary. Trust us when we say our dance parties are legendary!

What People Said

Live Music Tailored for Every Moment of Your Wedding Day

The Michael Benson Band offers personalized live music selections for every moment of your wedding day: the ceremony, the cocktail/social hour, the dinner hour, the emcee announcements and toasts, and, of course, the dancing.

Wedding Ceremony

Your wedding day begins at the ceremony with live music by one of our soloists – acoustic guitar or piano/keyboard. A vocalist can also be added. Pre-ceremony music for gathering begins 30 minutes prior followed by the processional, bridal entry and recessional pieces. The music here is completely customized by your requests!

Cocktail Hour

After the ceremony, guests can enjoy a social hour with cocktails and appetizers. We offer various background music configurations to suit your style:

  • Soloist: Pianist or guitarist, with or without vocals
  • Duo: Pianist with vocals and sax, or guitarist with sax
  • Trio: Guitarist, bass and sax, or pianist, guitar and sax
  • Optional: Pre-recorded playlist

Dinner Hour

For dinner, our full band or a smaller ensemble creates an intimate supper club atmosphere with elegant background music from the Sinatra Big Band Era. We play softly to enhance conversation, reminiscent of a classy New York jazz club setting.

MC Service

Other bands charge extra for an MC but we include it at no charge – so that’s a savings for you. We handle all announcements throughout your event with grace and professionalism. As partners with event planners and venue staff, we ensure that every announcement is made seamlessly and effectively, contributing to the smooth flow of your celebration.

Dance Party

When it’s time to hit the dance floor, our 6-piece ensemble, sounding like 10, delivers a high-energy performance that combines the vibrant punch of a horn band with the dynamic edge of a rock band. We know how to get the party started and keep it going, ensuring your guests stay on their feet and the dance floor is packed all night long.

The Best Live Band for Weddings - Why Michael Benson Band Delivers!

Discover why we’re recognized as Seattle’s most awarded wedding band and a top choice among wedding bands for hire:

Real-Time Crowd Reading

We create our setlists on the fly, reading and reacting to the crowd's vibe in real-time. This ensures that your dance floor is always packed and the energy never wanes!

Versatile Repertoire

From classy Sinatra-era dinner sets to modern pop and rap hits, our wide-ranging repertoire covers every genre. We’re also happy to take song requests and learn specific tracks before the big day.

An All-Live Performance

Everything we play is 100% live giving us total flexibility with the flow. We aren’t tied to any pre-recorded tracks, which constrain us if songs need to be shortened, extended, or looped.

Unmatched Work Ethic

We outwork other wedding bands and DJs with longer sets and fewer breaks. Our dedicated musicians are here to make your night unforgettable, keeping the party going until you’re ready to call it a night.

Michael Benson Band

Choose the Perfect Size Wedding Band for Your Celebration

Whether you need a trio for a mellow cocktail hour or our full six-piece band that sounds like ten to ignite an unforgettable dance party, Michael Benson Band has you covered. Explore our live wedding band options to find the perfect fit for your celebration:

  •   We were so happy we decided to hire The Michael Benson Band for our wedding. Michael was so easy to work with leading up to the event and they were... read more

    thumb Tlee S.
    9/19/2023

      If you want a quiet, sit-down reception where no one gets up to dance, this might not be the band for you. But if you want the best reception... read more

    thumb Stephen M.
    9/08/2023

      Everything about Michael and his band is professional and absolutely first-rate. They are all top-of-the-game musicians who can play in every genre. Michael is a fantastic vocalist, and... read more

    thumb Chris G.
    10/30/2022
  •   I first heard the Michael Benson Band at a friends wedding and it was hands down the best wedding band I had ever heard. Michael Benson was the second vendor... read more

    thumb Emily L.
    9/11/2019

      3rd family wedding with the Michael Benson Band. Simply the best! Michael knows his audience and will keep the dance floor crowded. Can play a wide variety... read more

    thumb William A.
    9/20/2018

      Don't even know where to start. We hired the Michael Benson band for my son's wedding and never looked back. To begin with he was crazy fast responsive as well... read more

    thumb cheryl y.
    10/24/2017
  •   Similar to another yelp review, I booked Michael Benson Band before we had a venue (18 mos before wedding). It's absolutely necessary since he books up so quickly. Very easy... read more

    thumb Ben And Laura A.
    8/31/2016

      Let me start by saying that we booked the Michael Benson Band before we had an even found a venue - our entire wedding was planned around their availability (worth... read more

    thumb Sara H.
    8/19/2015

      We had heard from our daughter that she sincerely desired to have Seattle's- Michael Benson Band perform for her wedding, and we were not disappointed. This was perhaps the... read more

    thumb Duke S.
    9/04/2014
  •   Simply the best!!!! You can instantly tell why they have won Seattle's best for so many years. Michael Benson and his team were professional, considerate, and fun throughout the whole... read more

    thumb Elizabeth B.
    8/31/2014

      One of the best things that helps make a wedding so much more fun and memorable is party after the reception. The music and dancing is the one thing that... read more

    thumb Chris G.
    2/23/2014

      We were the videographers at a classy wedding at the Arctic Club in Downtown Seattle this past summer! Months before the actual wedding, the bride was all smiles as... read more

    thumb WakaWaka P.
    9/12/2012
  •   When we got married in 2010, we knew we wanted a live band. After listening to the sound clips on their website, we were loving the fact that they... read more

    thumb Emily A.
    1/12/2012

Frequently Asked Questions About MB Band at Your Wedding

The easiest way to choose your songs is to visit our website’s song list page under the “Music” tab, download the PDF, and print it. Mark your favorites, exclude any you don’t want, or add general music preferences. Email the completed list back to us at least 2 weeks before your event, and we’ll use it to tailor our performance to your tastes.

Yes, we gladly accept special song requests. If there are specific songs or genres you want to be included, just let us know 60 days in advance.

Yes, it’s a natural part of our service, at no extra charge, and keeps the event flowing and organized. This can include introductions of the wedding party, grand entrance for the couple, toasts, notices for dinner service, family photos, cake cutting, first dances, bouquet toss, send-offs, transportation notices, and last dance notice. Our microphone is also available for those who will make welcome statements, toasts, and speeches.

Generally, no. Our experience has found hooking up other audio devices to be technically problematic due to incompatible connections or device lockouts. Awkward dead moments have been the result, stopping our seamless flow. To get around this, you can share your mp4 tracks with us 30 days in advance so we can load them onto our devices.

Not usually. Most of our planning and communication can take place very conveniently by telephone, conference calls, and email. However, if you do wish to meet ahead of time, I am happy to do so at a mutually agreed upon location.

We normally take 1 break in three hours, 2 breaks in four hours, and 3 breaks in five hours. However, we are very flexible on this. Breaks are not based on the clock, but more on the needs, momentum and energy level of the party.

Generally, 15 minutes. Sometimes longer during the dinner hour, and sometimes shorter just prior to the last set of the evening. Whenever we break, we provide pre-recorded music on our sound system that is consistent with the mood of the moment.

Yes, an mp4 audio player is connected to our sound system.

We do occasionally allow guests or friends of the family to join us for a performance, but this is arranged on a case-by-case basis. We ensure that any guest performances fit well with the overall event and are coordinated smoothly.

Dates fill up fast! We recommend booking our band at least 6 to 12 months in advance to ensure availability and allow ample time for planning. To guarantee our availability, call or email first before booking your venue and locking in your date. Put several dates on hold with us.

Yes, this is fairly common when we book so far in advance. If we have another same-day performance, time changes may be restricted.

Yes, we travel to locations outside of Seattle. During the planning portion of the process, we will discuss travel arrangements and any associated fees.

We don’t provide stage or room lighting but can perform with the venue’s ambient lighting. We do use our own music stand lights. For specialized lighting, I recommend either Brian Waltz with GREENLIGHT EVENT DESIGN, at 206-973-7427 or 206-920-2004 or CRIMSON HAZE EVENT LIGHTING at 425-954-5451.

Food and beverage provisions for us are the norm. Our work time is usually 7-9 hours including load in, setup, tear down and travel. Therefore, our clients usually include us in their meal count – either plated or buffet.

There is a non-refundable deposit of 50% due at the time you sign the contract. The final payment is due one week prior to the event. Payments are by check, Zelle or Venmo.

Make Your Special Day Unforgettable with a Live Band Experience. Contact Seattle’s Top Wedding Band Today

Ready to make your special day unforgettable? Contact Seattle’s top wedding band – The Michael Benson Band, to ensure your event has the perfect soundtrack. Let’s make magic happen together