Every Great Wedding Has a Statement Piece.
This is Yours
Your setlist, your instruments, your vibe, performed by Chicago's finest musicians. We don’t just play your wedding, we create it with you.
Chicago's Wedding Music Band That Builds Every Note Around You
Your Night Deserves Its Own Unique Soundtrack
We believe that music is a full sensory experience. Something to be felt as much as it’s heard. With that in mind, we build the entire musical experience — from the moment your guests arrive to the last song of the night — around you and your guests feeling every beat, every transition, and every word, now and for years to come.
We’ll work with you from beginning to end to customize every element, handpick every musician in your ensemble, and make sure every last detail is expertly coordinated.
list of services
Mike and Alysha were both such a pleasure to work with- friendly, professional and understanding. They blew our expectations out of the water and would recommend Funktastic to anybody who likes to have a good time!
Some of our highlights include the custom Beyoncé mashups/medleys, flawless execution of our requested playlist and interaction with wedding guests/the dance floor on stage. Highly recommend getting a stage, the lights and adding on a DJ if it’s in your budget! We did a DJ cocktail hour that made the space feel lively!”
Some of our highlights include the custom Beyoncé mashups/medleys, flawless execution of our requested playlist and interaction with wedding guests/the dance floor on stage. Additionally, we are so grateful that alysha also MC’ed the wedding- she brought the crowds energy for us during dances, speeches and our entrance! Highly recommend getting a stage, the lights and adding on a DJ if it’s in your budget! We did a DJ cocktail hour that made the space feel lively!”
- Lauren Flannery
Look no further - this is your band for funk, soul, hip-hop, afro-beats, even house. Dancing to their cover of Big Pimpin is one of the most joyous moments of my life.
Some of our highlights include the custom Beyoncé mashups/medleys, flawless execution of our requested playlist and interaction with wedding guests/the dance floor on stage. Highly recommend getting a stage, the lights and adding on a DJ if it’s in your budget! We did a DJ cocktail hour that made the space feel lively!”
I knew they would be good because I knew one of their bass players from back when I was young and hip, and they absolutely exceeded expectations. they learned an oldie that's sentimental for our elders, and even nailed an Herb Alpert joint for our first dance. Thank you Funktastic!!!”
- David Lorentzen
Words can’t even describe how good they were, everyone was on the dance floor all night long. So many friends and family commented on how fun and entertaining they were.
We hired Funktastic to play at our wedding in Carmel Indiana after hearing them at a wedding in Chicago. We will hire them again for another event. Don’t look at any other bands, hire Funktastic.
- Melanie Adams
Where Motown Meets Kendrick and Ordinary Doesn't Stand a Chance
Music is who we are
If it’s not clear already, music is more than what we do. It’s who we are, at a soul level. Music is in our blood and our bones. We don’t just do this on the side for some extra money. We eat, breathe, and dream in musical arrangements, curated setlists, and mashups that will make your jaw drop. And the result is an unforgettable night of music that you and your guests will remember for a lifetime.
World-Class Musicians
Our roster of 100+ musicians play at Chicago's top venues — Green Mill, Andy's Jazz Club, Lazybird — when they're not with us. They're jazz-trained, stage-tested, and many have been with Funktastic for over 100 weddings. We handpick every musician for your event based on your vision and your setlist, so the talent on stage is always intentional, never random.
Wedding Planning You’ll Actually Enjoy
Forget the spreadsheet or the endless back-and-forth email chains where things inevitably get lost. Our custom app integrates with Spotify so you can browse our song list, preview tracks, and build your playlist from your couch, your car, or anywhere else inspiration strikes you. Once your setlist is locked in, we send it to you in a shared Google Doc so you can see exactly what the band sees on stage — and leave comments if you want changes.
The Details are Covered
We've played enough weddings to know that the best nights happen when every vendor is in sync. We coordinate directly with your planner, venue, and other vendors on load-in, timeline, sound placement, and logistics to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Your planner will love us. We make sure of it.
We Really, Genuinely Care
This isn't a gig factory. Mike and Marisa are personally involved in every event. The band leaders know your names, your story, and your must-play songs before they hit the stage. Our musicians care because they're not hired hands, they're friends who've played together for a decade and genuinely love what they do. That energy is the thing you can't fake, and it's the thing your guests will feel from the first note.
The Ceremony
Starting at $1,400, this package is perfect for couples who want to set the tone from the moment guests arrive. From guest arrival to finally saying "I do." A dedicated sound system for your officiant and vows, with options for piano, strings, or a full string trio. We start playing 30 minutes before the ceremony to set the vibe as your guests arrive.
The Headliner
Starting at $11,000, this package is ideal for those looking for a high-energy reception band that keeps the dance floor packed all night long. Your reception band will include 6 to 8 musicians with multiple vocalists and horns playing every hit uniquely and authentically. The perfect fit for after-dinner dancing that keeps every guest moving long into the night.
The Big Band
Starting at $15,000, this package is built just for the couples who want their band to be a statement piece. We don’t call it the Big Band for nothing. This one includes 10 to 15 musicians, a full horn section, and powerhouse vocalists who will bring the house down. A visual and musical statement piece that turns your reception into a full-scale concert experience. This is the kind of performance guests remember for years.
The East Coast
This is our premium package for couples who want nonstop live music from the very first guest arrival to the final goodbyes at the end of the night. No gaps or recorded tracks. Just melodies, beats, and vibes from the ceremony through cocktails, dinner, and reception. This option features 8 to 15 musicians for couples who want the full Funktastic experience all night long. Inquire for a customized proposal.
Make It Yours By Building Exactly The Night You Want
A separate sound system built just for your ceremony — we mic your officiant, your vows, and amplify any live or pre-recorded music. Options include violin, piano, or a full string trio. Lapel mics keep your photos clean with no mic stand in the aisle.
Every couple has their own vibe, and every wedding has its own rhythm. Ceremony strings more important than a cocktail trio? Done. Want to create a totally unforgettable experience with a rapper and some extra uplighting? Say less.
Choose from these add-ons to customize the details for a perfect night that’s undeniably you.
Ceremony Production & Strings
A separate sound system built just for your ceremony — we mic your officiant, your vows, and amplify any live or pre-recorded music. Options include violin, piano, or a full string trio. Lapel mics keep your photos clean with no mic stand in the aisle.
Cocktail Jazz Trio
Our musicians play venues like the Green Mill and Andy's Jazz Club when they're not with us. Bring that same energy to your cocktail hour with a live jazz trio that sets the tone without competing with conversation.
Rotating Dinner Quartets
Our band rotates through different quartet configurations during dinner, keeping the music live and continuous while featuring every musician at their best. Our pianist accompanies toasters to and from the mic — no dead air between speeches.
Post-Cocktail Dance Set
One of our favorite moves — and something most bands don't offer. Guests hit the dance floor right after cocktail hour before sitting down for dinner. It sets the energy for the entire night and gives your guests a taste of what's coming.
Live Rapper/MC
Elevate the musical experience with an MC who’ll drop the Jay-Z verse in Crazy in Love flawlessly, or bring the energy with live hip-hop between sets. Our rappers blend seamlessly with the band for a sound no other wedding band in Chicago is offering.
DJ Hybrid Between Sets
When the band takes a break, the music doesn't. A live DJ with a turntable keeps the dance floor going between sets — no lulls, no recorded playlists, just continuous energy all night.
Custom Song Requests
Up to 5 songs outside of our list that we learn just for your night. We spend serious time perfecting these — and more than a few couples have said we played them better than the originals.
Entertainment Logistics Planner
A designated planner who coordinates every entertainment detail so nothing falls through the cracks. Your single point of contact for sound, staging, lighting, and timeline coordination with your other vendors.
Production Add-Ons
Raised platform staging, video walls, dance floor uplighting, wireless room uplighting in any color, photo booth with memory book, LED wristbands that sync with the music, and live DJ Hybrid after-party sets.
Mics & MC Services
Professional wireless mics for speeches and toasts. Our sound team is there from start to finish, monitoring every toast and making sure every voice carries, no matter how quietly (or loudly) your maid of honor speaks.
Looking For Something With a Smaller Footprint?
Not every event needs a 15-piece band. DJ Hybrid Chicago is our sister company — pairing live DJs with musicians for weddings, corporate events, and private parties that want live music energy without the full band footprint or investment. If you want something with the same vetted musicians and same seamless experience, DJ Hybrid might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Have Questions? We Got Answers.
Here are the ones we hear most often, but drop us a line if you have one that’s not covered here.
What size band should I book?
It depends on your guest count, venue, and vision. Our 6-piece band delivers the full Funktastic energy for more intimate receptions. The 8-piece adds horns for a richer, bigger sound. And our 10-15 piece Big Band is a full-scale statement piece with a complete horn section and powerhouse vocalists. Multiple band members sing background harmonies — including our horn players — so even our smaller lineups sound massive. We'll help you find the right fit on your intro call.
What music do you play?
Everything. Motown, hip-hop, pop, funk, rock, R&B, disco, country, Afrobeats — our song list spans 10+ genres and we play all of them with stylistic accuracy. What makes us different is that we're a musical vibe, not a genre. You might hear Earth, Wind & Fire into Outkast into Queen in one set — and it all sounds right. You pick every song from our list, and we only play what you tell us to. No surprise Chicken Dance. Ever.
Do you take song requests?
Yes — and we go further than most. We learn up to 5 custom songs outside of our list just for your night. We spend serious time perfecting these, and couples regularly say in reviews that we played them better than the originals. First dances, processionals, special dedications — if it matters to you, it matters to us.
How does the music planning process work?
Once you book, you get access to our custom app where you can browse our song list by genre, preview songs, build your playlist, and flag songs for specific moments like your ceremony entrance or first dance. No spreadsheets, no email chains. You'll also get a setlist in a shared Google Doc format so you can review the exact order, leave comments, and request changes before the big day.
Can you provide music for the entire day — not just the reception?
Absolutely. This is one of our specialties. We can start with piano or strings 30 minutes before your ceremony, transition to a jazz trio during cocktails, rotate dinner quartets through each course, and then bring the full band for reception dancing. Add a DJ Hybrid between sets or for an after-party and the music literally never stops. Our East Coast package is built specifically for couples who want continuous live music from start to finish.
What about venues with tricky acoustics?
We're regulars at warehouse conversions, museums with high ceilings, spaces with large glass windows, and grand ballrooms. Our sound engineer is on-site for the entire event and does a customized sound plan for your specific venue — including speaker placement and lighting. If your venue is one we've played before, they likely already have our Certificate of Insurance on file.
Are there any hidden costs?
No. The price we quote is the price you pay. Insurance, production costs, crew, and standard stage lighting are all included. We build proposals à la carte so you can allocate budget to what matters most to you — no bloated bundles, no surprise fees.
Do you have insurance?
We carry full liability insurance with a $2,000,000 policy. We coordinate directly with your venue and planner to provide a Certificate of Insurance ahead of time.
What does the booking process look like?
It starts with a quick intro call where we learn about you as a couple, your vision, and your venue. From there, we send a customized à la carte proposal — think of it like building your night from a menu. Once you're happy with the proposal, it's a 50% deposit plus signed contract, with the remainder due 7 days before the wedding.
Can a friend or family member perform a song with the band?
We're regulars at warehouse conversions, museums with high ceilings, spaces with large glass windows, and grand ballrooms. Our sound engineer is on-site for the entire event and does a customized sound plan for your specific venue — including speaker placement and lighting. If your venue is one we've played before, they likely already have our Certificate of Insurance on file.
Still Have Questions? Great, Let’s Talk!
Let’s take the guess work out of the equation and book a quick intro call to hear more about what you have in mind. Tell us about your day — the venue, the vibe, the must-play songs — and we'll put together a custom proposal that fits your vision and your budget.
