"We could not be happier with the band we selected for our wedding in Maine. As an Atlanta-based couple, it was challenging to research vendors for our destination wedding from home, but after scouring the internet for a band that had the soul/old- and new-school funk vibe that we wanted, we were so fortunate to happen upon East Coast Soul's website. While we were impressed with their video clips and their extensive repertoire, we knew that we were still taking a chance on a band that we did not have the opportunity to see live until our wedding. They exceeded our every expectation! The vocalists astounded us and our guests with their pipes and the soul with which they sang every song-- their voices were astounding. Sean, who was also the drummer, was great and easy to work with from the beginning of the wedding planning phases. The band members' clear passion for their music perfectly complemented the vibe of abundant love and bliss of togetherness and unity that characterized our entire wedding weekend. Everyone was ecstatic about the music. I might add, there were many professional musicians among our guests, and they were all supremely impressed with the skill and groove of this smaller ensemble that had the intensity and full sound of any larger group we'd ever heard. They had an almost tangible chemistry. We were also fortunate to be able to hang out with three of the band members during our small, casual and intimate impromptu after-party in the lounge of our hotel. Not only are they amazing musicians, but they are absolutely wonderful people. I am happy to have made three new friends. Importantly, as my husband and I are an interracial couple with an extremely diverse family and group of friends (ethnically, politically, life journeys etc.), we were delighted by East Coast Soul's own diversity that quite perfectly reflected us, and what we stand for and cherish. We believe that the unity in their diversity is an integral part of what makes them such an incredible band. We hope to hear them perform again at some point, and we are looking forward to studio recordings that they might be releasing in the near future. Bottom line-- you absolutely cannot go wrong with this band. You and all of your guests will be talking about the band at your wedding for a long, long time."
Malu S.
September 20, 2013 - Cape Elizabeth, ME
"Based on recommendations from others, we went into our wedding with very high expectations for ECS, and somehow they managed to surpass them. The band set exactly the right mood for our wedding with a perfect selection of songs that got everyone on the dance floor. We received countless comments from family and friends regarding ECS, all with lofty praise for their performance and ability to get the wedding guests involved. In addition to their already great selection of music, the band learned several songs for us, including an Irish folk song, that made the music all the more meaningful. Additionally, the band handled the more formal aspects, like the first dance and introduction of the wedding party, with the perfect mix of class and style. Hiring ECS for the reception was one of the best decision we made and I would wholeheartedly recommend them for any wedding or event."
Ryan S.
December 18, 2010 - Osterville, MA
"This is a belated thank-you to say how grateful we are to the East Coast Soul Band for being so great at our daughter Nina and son-in-law Jerome's very wet but wonderful wedding reception on May 25th in Maine. We particularly appreciated that the band seemed unfazed by the weather and that in spite of the conditions and in spite of having to carry your equipment through the mud-- your whole group went with the flow and then sang and played with fantastic musicianship and enthusiasm! From the first song most of our guests were on the dance floor and most of us never sat down! Everyone was asking who you were and everyone said that the band was AMAZING! We also appreciated the lower key jazz session through the appetizer serving time which was equally as wonderful. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you! All in all, your music made this special day so much more awsome. I woke up that morning listening to the rain pouring down and I was filled with dread but after a breath taking wedding ceremony and after I walked through that tent and heard the East coast Soul Band playing, I just screamed out with joy because the celebration of Jerome and Nina's love was really what the day was all about! Your band was one of the best parts of a truly magical time. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you! Nina's mom"
Lael S.
May 25, 2013 - Phippsburg, ME
"Everyone at our wedding raved about East Coast Soul. They had our guests on the dance floor from the first song to the very last song of the night. The band played a variety of music that guests of all generations loved and appreciated. Working with East Coast Soul was all around wonderful. Our wedding reception was under a tent in a beautiful field in Maine in not-so-beautiful weather. Not only did the band drive all the way up here from Boston on our big day, but they also had to carry all of their equipment down about half a mile in the rain into the muddy field. They were very gracious and flexible about the last minute changes due to weather. The bands' positive attitudes contributed to the unbelievably joyous and crazy vibe of the party. Everyone was slipping and sliding in their rain boots on the dance floor, singing along to the music. East Coast Soul even surprised us by calling up my sister-in-law to join them on stage for the last song of the night! So many guests asked me where I found East Coast Soul and how I chose the band. From the moment I heard their music on the web, I knew they would be the perfect band for our wedding. I am so glad we hired East Coast Soul; They truly rock."
Nina S.
May 20, 2013 - Phippsburg, ME
"The first few adjectives that come to mind... Incredible, Amazing, Superb... and the list goes on and on. Not only was East Coast Soul incredibly easy and professional to work with (easy website to navigate, open rehearsals to view their songs, customized playlists, etc), they provided over six hours of non-stop fun during our power-less wedding... yes, POWER-LESS wedding. My husband and I were married just over three weeks ago in Ipswich, MA. It happened to be the night of an epic summer thunderstorm - cue bride panic. Halfway through cocktail hour, a huge bolt of lightening struck the Estate where our reception was being held and knocked out all the power. Rather than panic, East Coast Soul assured me and my husband that they'd do everything they could to still make the evening a success - and they couldn't have pulled through any stronger! While waiting for the generator to arrive, the band quickly put band members on their horn instruments and grand piano so music could still be heard through the Estate. Although they had not planned to play these instruments during cocktail hour originally, they quickly adapted to the situation and had our guests dancing even before dinner was served. As soon as the generator arrived, they plugged right in and led our party through the most epic dance party. I've heard nothing but rave reviews from friends and family since our wedding. And I already have friends asking for their contact information for their own weddings. I couldn't be happier that my husband and I chose Sean and Aaron and the rest of the band from East Coast Soul. They provided amazing acoustics, awesome dance moves, and an all around seamless evening despite everything that was thrown at them. Not to mention, they are incredibly affordable! Thank you, East Coast Soul - you were the BEST!!"
Lauren W.
September 6, 2014 - Ipswich, MA
"Oh man, these guys are incredible. I think every single one of our guests came up to me on the wedding night and said 'Who is this band??? They are amazing!!!!' They learned the Cat Power song 'Sea of Love' for us for our first dance and I swear it was magic when they played it. Even more beautiful than I could've imagined. And they're so FUN! The singers were all dancing while they were singing and they had smiles on their faces the whole time, everyone just loved them and never wanted to leave the dance floor. I also think they played the perfect array of music, they got everyone from grandparents, to aunts and uncles and ALL of our friends dancing at some point. They knew just how to work the room, everyone would get excited at whatever the next song was :) I worked with Sean in the whole booking and planning process and he was the easiest person to talk to and work with. He listened to all of my ideas and questions and worked out the perfect package for me. He made everything so easy! And he was so personable, really caring about what we were going for in our planning and getting to know us as a couple. I definitely felt like a client he really cared about. On the wedding day when I finally got to meet everyone (we planned long-distance) they were all so friendly and fun, it was like having more friends there, who happened to be the best band EVER! We gave them a few songs we really liked and our favorite bands from their repertoire and they came up with the most amazing sets. Right after the first dance they played 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' and EVERYONE jumped onto the dance floor immediately - perfect. And for the last song they played Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing' and my husband said it felt like a movie, it started out slow with everyone dancing as couples, and ended up with the whole place in a circle around us screaming the lyrics. Couldn't have been better ending! Hire them - they will MAKE your party!"
Kendall P.
August 3, 2014 - Holliston, MA
"Do you want a REAL BAND? Or a wedding band? My husband and I were in the market for a soulful, cool vibe...married on may 10th, after being engaged for 2years. We wanted a wedding that reflected who we are as a couple and took a long, stress-free time to make our plans. We are an NYC couple who happened to attend a wedding in Marblehead MA in 2012, not knowing more than 5 people at the 200 person wedding. East Coast Soul performed there and we danced the entire night. I am a professional dancer, my husband a sweet finance banker, and I must say that we danced more than ever before, loved every tune and fell in love with ECS that night. When we began planning for our wedding, we knew with no question who to hire and why. We had an eclectic group of friends and family, cultural differences and strongly opinionated guests, and EAST COAST SOUL was perfectly suited for our wedding. Not only were they lovely to work with, but long distance planning was easy, arrangements and specifications a breeze, but most importantly, they travelled within a reasonable price and ROCKED our wedding. I am still riding the wedding high, and each phone call I receive mentions first how incredible the band was, second how happy the groom and I looked dancing. To me that says it all, best night of my life and I am still singing random songs that ECS played off the list. What a wonderful crew, I would be honored to see them perform again. We will recommend to everyone if they want A BAND...A REAL BAND, to enhance and create the beauty of their event, EAST COAST SOUL is the way.... Love you guys, and so many thanks!"
Denise M.
May 10, 2014 - Garrison, NY
"We were referred to East Coast Soul by a friend shortly after our engagement. I can honestly say booking the band absolutely made our wedding. From the outset, Sean was responsive and exceptionally helpful in terms of booking and securing a date, confirming band members, etc. We caught up with Art shortly before the wedding and went through logistics, song choices, day of schedule, timeline, etc. We truly felt like all of our concerns were heard and questions addressed. Then came the wedding – we had East Coast Soul perform at our ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. The ceremony and cocktail hour were just perfect – and the reception was absolutely out of this world. East Coast Soul had our entire (and I mean entire) wedding out on the dance floor. They brought great energy, a broad array of expertly-performed songs, incredible dance moves and an all around amazing performance. During the wedding, I took a step away from the action so I could take it all in – and I saw my friends, dancing with my parents friends, who were dancing with my husband’s family, etc. It was incredible to see all of our wedding guests enjoying the dance floor together. In the weeks after our wedding, I had a range of wedding guests reach out to us, complementing us on our choice of band and asking where we’d found them, etc. I would recommend East Coast Soul all day, every day. They truly made our wedding a magical day / night that we’ll cherish forever."
Johanna G.
July 25, 2015 - Hopkinton, NH
"My fiance was not sure about the idea of getting a band for our wedding. She was content with a DJ and I really had to sell her on the idea that a band was the way to go. It was, her words not mine, "the best decision I have ever persuaded her to buy into".
When I was trying to find the best band that fit our budget (as young, recent college graduates), East Coast Soul rose above the rest. The band was responsive to emails (typically the same-day I would send one), upfront about what they could provide, and open to negotiation once we discussed our wedding budget.
The weeks leading up to the wedding, East Coast Soul worked with myself and my fiance to provide us with a customized wedding experience fit for our venue and our crowd. We filled out a survey to give the band a general idea of what we were looking for during the wedding, and the band connected with us and the venue shortly after filling out the survey to iron-out specific details on the night. East Coast Soul talked us through what the day of the wedding would look like, and were comfortable to make suggestions and recommendations (about both the day and the music selection) that would help prepare us for what was to come.
By the time we arrived at Bittersweet Farm for the wedding, the band was already there setting up for the event. The music was AWESOME. I cannot tell you the number of people who came up to me during the night, and days after the event talking to me about how "this was the best wedding band they have ever heard". The crowd was ALIVE and even people who had to go home because of work the next day stayed until the very end. Everyone from younger relatives to our friends in their 20's to parents and grandparents were on the dance floor until the very end!
Our wedding was truly something special, and I cannot think of any other band that would have fit our wedding better than East Coast Soul. It was truly everything that we could have asked for...and then some."
Michael M.
July 26, 2015 - Westport, RI
"By hiring East Coast Soul for your wedding you are 100% guaranteeing that you and your guests are going to be at one of the best parties ever! We recently had a barn wedding in Maine and these guys exceeded my expectations (and I have high expectations). Their talented guitarist played all of our requested acoustic ceremony music which really set a peaceful tone. They then handled our cocktail hour music and then really came to shine for the reception and dancing. The band met all of our customized needs with attention to detail. We had the full band playing and I have to say the horns really took things to the next level. My number one goal for the wedding was to make sure the dance floor was full with energy and this certainly happened. They have an amazing set list and people could not get enough! Well done east Coast Soul - thank you!"
Steven P.
July 20, 2013 - Wells, ME
"The wedding day surpassed anything we could have hoped for. If I had a dollar for everytime someone came up to us during the reception and raved about the band I could pay off all my student loans. you are all true artists and you made the night special for us in every way. People were so impressed with everything you did from the song selections, to singing, to dancing, to your energy, to how late you played, and your incredible sound. Be proud of what you all have put together because I believe you are the best out there based on other weddings I've been to and what all my family and friends said as well. I will look forward to calling you again for other parties down the road...and I'm sure others will as wel."
Jamie L.
June 27, 2014 - Sturbridge, MA
"From the first time speaking with East Coast Soul through the last song played at our wedding we could not have envisioned a better band to work with for the big day.Throughout the entire planning process ECS was incredibly professional, responsive and always happy to answer any questions we had. It's difficult to express what a fantastic atmosphere the band provided - from the light jazz music during cocktail hour to keeping the dance floor packed throughout the entire night - the night was unforgettable. Everyone left the evening talking about how wonderful the band was and we couldn't have agreed more! Thank you so much East Coast Soul!!!"
Andrew H.
June 8, 2013 - Cohasset, MA
