Standing Room Only Orchestra

"You'll Never Leave the Dance Floor!"

Chicago and Burbs and Midwest Region

Travel area: No travel restrictions See details

5.0

Verified reviews from real couples

Standing Room Only was everything we hoped for in a wedding band and more! From the moment the dance floor opened, it was packed, and we heard from so many guests about how incredible the band was. Kara, the owner, really listened to our music taste and helped create a setlist that felt like us: fun, unexpected, and full of songs that got everyone dancing. They played the songs we requested, respected the ones we asked them to skip, and found a mix that guests of all ages loved. Several people specifically told us how much they appreciated that. One of the most special moments of the night was our first dance. The band learned “Russell Country Line” by 49 Winchester, and their performance was beautiful. We’ll never forget it. They were also willing to learn songs for our processional and recessional, and their version of the Hora was fantastic. Standing Room Only brought so much energy and heart to our wedding. We couldn’t have imagined a better band for our day!

Alexa M.

5.0

Our daughter was married at Whistling Straits and SRO was absolutely amazing! Kara was a fabulous emcee and kept the evening on track and energized from beginning to end. The musicians were incredible and the dancing was nonstop! We had the full band and the saxophonist added an element of fun for everyone. Kara was able to get us a DJ when the after party plans changed and we were very appreciative of her responsiveness. We would highly recommend SRO!

Cheri M.

5.0

Kara Kesselring

OWNER

AWARD WINNER (7X)

Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot

Standing Room Only Orchestra is one of Chicago’s top wedding bands. This versatile orchestra features seasoned vocalists and superb musicians for your wedding reception, corporate event or other special party. With over 20 years of entertaining experience, Standing Room Only Orchestra has performed at some of the most prestigious wedding and corporate events in Chicago, and around the country. Chicago's Elite Live Band Experience We're not just another cover band, we are a group of experienced and talented musicians who have been playing together for years. Unlike other national or Chicago wedding bands, our first day meeting each other won't be on your wedding day. Our vocalists hit every note and have the best band in the industry backing them up. We love what we do and create the best live energy for your event, as a result. Standing Room Only can perform all your favorite songs from disco and Motown to hip hop and classic rock to keep your guests on the dance floor the entire night. No matter the size of your wedding or special event, Standing Room Only Orchestra can accommodate. Large or small, one thing is for sure - your guests will want to stay on the dance floor! The band’s high-energy performance creates a dynamic, yet sophisticated party atmosphere that ensures the success of any party. Are you ready to have fun for hours?! Standing Room Only Orchestra features talented and inspired musicians who love to perform a wide variety of music including: Swing, 50’s and 60’s, Motown, Disco, 80’s, Top 40 hits; anything and everything you can dance to! Choose from a ten-piece orchestra, nine-piece performance orchestra, or a six to seven piece band for non-stop dancing! For your cocktail or dinner hours...try a solo piano or solo guitar. If you prefer a larger ensemble for your cocktail and dinner hour, consider a jazz trio, quartet or even a string quartet. Whatever your needs, Standing Room Only Orchestra welcomes your every wish. The goal is to ensure clients receive only the best for their big day. The band specializes in individualized attention, working with clients to craft the perfect event. Crazy crowd? Standing Room Only knows what to do. More sophisticated? Not to worry. The band believes your wedding is your day and we aim to please. Standing Room Only Orchestra will guide you through the creation of your timeline, ensure all vendors are working together and emcee your entire event. Have a special song in mind for your first dance? Standing Room Only takes requests! Standing Room Only Orchestra is available for out of town weddings and is proud to be a part of the Illinois Gay & Lesbian Friendly wedding musicians. Standing Room Only is a recipient of the Wedding Wire badge 2016 and was listed in Modern Bride’s 150 Hottest Bands in the nation.

Woman-owned Business

15+ years in business

Speaks English

Large team (21+ members)

Details

Instruments

Accordion

Bass

Cello

Fiddle

Flute

Guitar

Keyboard

Percussion

Piano

Saxophone

Trumpet

Violin

Vocals

Music Genres

Classical

Country

Dance

Folk

Jazz

Pop

R&B

Rock

Music Services

Live Music

MC Services

Recorded Music

Sound Equipment

Wedding Activities

Rehearsals & Parties

After Party

Wedding

After Party

Ceremony

Reception

Awards and Affiliations

7-Time 'Best of Weddings'

2026.2025.2024.+4 more.

Hall of Fame

Earned by winning 'Best of Weddings' four or more times.

Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding

Meet the team

Kara Kesselring

Owner

Kara Kesselring has been the keyboard player & vocalist of Standing Room Only Orchestra for over 22 years. Kara is a proud female business owner in the Chicago live entertainment & event industry. She and the SRO team bring cohesive musicianship to every event. From the first client inquiry to the last wrap of a microphone cable, Kara's hands on approach to each and every performance insures the upmost quality of music, emcee & sound. In addition to being a veteran of the SRO band, Kara has been an accomplished freelance musician on the Chicago music and theater scene for over twenty years.

5.0

out of 5.0

102 reviews

Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Review Summary

This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.

Standing Room Only is an energetic, professional wedding band that kept dance floors packed all night with expertly curated setlists and top-tier musicianship. Reviewers praised their responsiveness, willingness to learn special songs and handle last-minute changes, and seamless coverage across ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and reception. Their emceeing and sound quality earned enthusiastic recommendations.

Search reviews

Alexa M

9/29/2026

Standing Room Only was everything we hoped for in a wedding band and more! From the moment the dance floor opened, it was packed, and we heard from so many guests about how incredi...

ble the band was. Kara, the owner, really listened to our music taste and helped create a setlist that felt like us: fun, unexpected, and full of songs that got everyone dancing. They played the songs we requested, respected the ones we asked them to skip, and found a mix that guests of all ages loved. Several people specifically told us how much they appreciated that. One of the most special moments of the night was our first dance. The band learned “Russell Country Line” by 49 Winchester, and their performance was beautiful. We’ll never forget it. They were also willing to learn songs for our processional and recessional, and their version of the Hora was fantastic. Standing Room Only brought so much energy and heart to our wedding. We couldn’t have imagined a better band for our day!

Cheri M

9/13/2026

Our daughter was married at Whistling Straits and SRO was absolutely amazing! Kara was a fabulous emcee and kept the evening on track and energized from beginning to end. The music...

ians were incredible and the dancing was nonstop! We had the full band and the saxophonist added an element of fun for everyone. Kara was able to get us a DJ when the after party plans changed and we were very appreciative of her responsiveness. We would highly recommend SRO!

Any questions?

Alexander L

9/04/2026

Standing Room Only is hands down the most electric wedding band of all time and made our reception unforgettable. The dance floor was packed the entire night, they played and soun...

ded amazing, great energy and the perfect song selection. If you want your wedding to be a legendary party, hire Standing Room Only right now. They blew us and all of our guests away!

MacKenzie S

8/17/2026

We had such an amazing experience with SRO. They kept everyone on the dance floor all night long, and that was the goal. They were very professional & they knew exactly how to exce...

ed expectations. I highly recommend for your wedding. Best night of our lives.

Daniel W

6/30/2026

We had a wedding planner for our wedding, who sent us a number of band options we weren’t thrilled with. Either they were too expensive or too stiff or not our sound. After doing s...

ome of my own research, I found SRO and loved their sizzle reels, so we took a chance on them. We’re so glad we did. Kara and Yoni were responsive and professional from day one. We had an Orthodox Jewish wedding, and Yoni helped us orchestrate a special set list that worked for us. Kara helped us put together beautiful arrangements for our cocktail hour and ceremony. On wedding day, they were the MVPs of the party. We had duo instrumentalists at the cocktail hour, a piano and violin at the ceremony, and a 10-piece band for the reception. The sound was crisp and filled the room. Everyone asked, “where did you find this band? They’re amazing.” I would absolutely recommend SRO to anyone planning a wedding in the Chicago area. 10/10

Graham J

6/23/2026

Standing Room Only was AWESOME! We hired the 9 piece band and they kept the good vibes flowing all night long!! Some of our favorite songs were Shout, Valerie, You Shook Me All Nig...

ht Long, Sweet Caroline, and Pink Pony Club. We seriously could not get people off the dance floor. Kara was super fun to work with during the planning process! Also their song list is expansive and they can play just about anything! We even had them help with building a DJ set for the last hour of the event. We cared a lot about the quality of the band for our reception, and SRO certainly delivered. We absolutely recommend them for your wedding day!

Stephanie B

6/23/2026

We were fortunate enough to work with Standing Room Only for our recent wedding. We had a unique set up, where we worked with both a DJ and live musicians, and SRO was the live mu...

sician group we chose and we are so glad we did! From the initial conversations, to the night of the wedding, everything was seamless, efficient and above and beyond. I am so grateful to Kara and her team for making our dance floor dreams come true. Kara really got to know us as a couple, worked with us when we were “particular” and invited us to sing their final song with them, which was a thoughtful touch! Overall, we would absolutely recommend working with SRO for any event, you will absolutely not be disappointed.

Antony F

6/01/2026

SRO was an absolute highlight of the night! We are so happy we decided to have SRO perform at our wedding. We chose the 9 piece band and the added wind instruments really adds ...

a lot to each song. Patrick and Kara were really easy to work with and super responsive. They were able to give input on how to adjust our first dance song to make sure it fit what we wanted. The day of the wedding Patrick filled the role of the emcee and we just felt all the events flowed perfectly partly because he played the role so well. The band was LIGHTS OUT! So many of the guests made comments about how it was the best wedding band they’ve heard. The only regret we had was that we should have made the dance floor bigger because it was packed the ENTIRE NIGHT! Thank you Patrick and Kara!!

Taylor M

5/25/2026

A wedding is fundamentally and most importantly about the commitments being made between two people, and their respective communities witnessing and supporting them in those commit...

ments. BUT: It's also a party. When it came to entertainment for our party, we immediately knew we wanted the unique energy of a live band. The problem (albeit a good one) is that, in Chicagoland, we're spoiled for choice. After pushing deeper than promotional content and finding raw cell phone footage from actual wedding attendees, a clear winner emerged: Standing Room Only The sound and vibes curated by SRO's consistent/predictable roster of musicians made our decision easy, and it's one we couldn't be happier with. SRO was also a joy to work with throughout the entire process leading up to the big day, and when the big day came, they delivered. We received so many compliments from guests that SRO was one of the best bands and that our wedding was so much fun. Book them!!

Julia R

5/12/2026

SRO was an amazing choice for our wedding, we truly have nothing but good things to say about them! Kara is super easy to work with and was always an upbeat, positive force. We did...

ceremony music and a 6 piece band for the reception and both were so so good. Kara and the team were awesome at organizing a set list around our preferences, and then adjusting on the fly to match the vibes on the dance floor. 12/10!

Gillian C

5/06/2026

Kara was absolutely fantastic, she made sure all of my requests were heard and she made the most PERFECT playlist. The band was absolutely electric and everyone can up to me and wa...

s complimenting the band. Absolutely 100% go with SRO!!!

Response from Standing Room Only Orchestra on 05/06/2026

Such a great night! Thank you again and hope to see you on the dance floor at the next fun...

event. Kara

Amanda M

5/04/2026

Most amazing band to work with! Our dance floor was NEVER empty and everyone was so complimentary of how awesome they sounded! They played at a family members band years ago and it...

was the same for them. When selecting a band it was a no brainer! A must!

Nora S

3/23/2026

We truly cannot say enough amazing things about this band—they were, without question, one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. From the moment they arrived, they went f...

ar beyond just performing. They stepped in and helped keep the entire evening running smoothly, coordinating seamlessly with other vendors and making sure everything stayed on track. When unexpected gaps came up, they handled them effortlessly and professionally—it honestly felt like we had an extra coordinator on our team. And then there’s the music… absolutely phenomenal. They read the room perfectly and kept the dance floor packed the entire night. Every song choice hit, every transition was smooth, and their energy was contagious. Our guests are still talking about how incredible they were and how they’ve never danced so much at a wedding before. Not only are they insanely talented, but they’re also kind, professional, and genuinely invested in making your event unforgettable. If you’re even considering booking them—do it. They didn’t just play at our wedding, they elevated the entire experience and truly saved the day. 🎶 Every one of my friends and family have booked or will be booking them for their future events

Melissa B

1/16/2026

If you want a wedding band that can do it all, look no further! Kara, Patrick, and the entire Standing Room Only Orchestra were the highlight of our wedding. From a beautiful piano...

solo during the cocktail hour to a sophisticated jazz quartet during dinner, they set the perfect tone for the entire day. When it came to the reception, they absolutely blew us away. The dance floor was packed from the first song to the last, thanks to the bands high energy and perfectly curated setlist. What really set them apart was their willingness to accommodate special requests: our neighbor’s rockstar drum solo, a surprise chair lift, and a 'Piano Man' finale we will never forget! Months later our guests are still telling us it’s the best wedding band they’ve ever seen. We cannot recommend them highly enough!

Michaela G

12/15/2025

We had the joy of having Standing Room Only perform at our wedding. We did a package with 6 band members and 2 sound engineers. Kara was our emcee and main contact. She was highly ...

responsive to our emails, and we were able to set up a Zoom meeting to discuss our wedding vision with her. Additionally, we were provided with a comprehensive questionnaire and script to fill out to ensure every detail was perfect. We even had to make a very last minute request, during which she was very accommodating. As guests arrived and for the wedding processional we had live piano. For our recessional song, we switched to an mp3 that is special to us, which played perfectly with no issues switching from live to recorded. Next, during cocktail hour, we had a guitarist. It was a perfect accompaniment to the food, drinks, and conversations. During dinner service, they played an mp3 playlist that we curated. The sound level was perfect. Kara was a wonderful emcee, she was very clear in her speech and executed the script we agreed to perfectly. She helped to move along the speeches, even with unexpected timeline interruptions. Once the reception started, we were off! They played two 80 minute sets, and we provided an mp3 playlist for one 20 minute DJ break in between. Our first dance was performed beautifully by the band. The band members are all so skilled, and my guests were particularly in awe of the lead guitarist who SHREDDED. Each song was polished and well-executed. For our last song, we had a special request. Kara informed us that they would have to learn it, but they are happy to do so as well as they have advance notice! It was the perfect ending. Between the communicative nature of the band, the personal details they can provide, the highly skilled members, and the fun energy this group provides, I would highly recommend Standing Room Only.

Lindsay C

11/08/2025

Standing Room Only was absolutely incredible! They completely tailored everything to our taste, and every single guest RAVED about how amazing they were. The talent, energy, and pr...

ofessionalism were unmatched — they kept the dance floor packed all night long! They even had us (the bride and groom!) come up and sing with them, which was one of the most fun and unforgettable moments of the night. From the ceremony to the cocktail hour to the reception, every part of the music was flawless. Their MC skills were fantastic, and they made all of our detailed requests happen seamlessly. On top of being so talented, they were genuinely kind and easy to work with throughout the whole process. We loved them so much and honestly wish we could relive our day with them all over again. Cannot recommend them highly enough!

Audrey B

10/30/2025

We had SRO as our wedding band, and they absolutely crushed it. Kara was professional, kind, and responsive throughout the entire process, and the dance floor was one of our favori...

te parts of the day thanks to the band. Highly recommend!

Nicole F

10/16/2025

Working with Kara and SRO was the least stressful part of the wedding. They were flexible in providing the songs we wanted to hear, developed a great playlist, were cost effective,...

and were the highlight of the wedding. Numerous people from our wedding reached out to us afterwards to tell us how great the band was.

Nicole J

8/15/2025

Standing Room Only exceeded our expectations! Kara and the entire band brought great energy and kept people on the dance floor all night. From the initial meeting to the wedding da...

y, they were professional and had great communication. They went above and beyond to make our wedding perfect. They also did a seamless job setting up and as MC for the entire wedding. We received endless compliments from our guests about how great SRO was! I am so grateful and happy we choose Standing Room Only for our wedding!

Kat E

8/09/2025

This band has brilliant musicians, and INCREDIBLE sound mixing, Best sound we’ve heard in any wedding band ever. They customized their song list for us, let the bride sing a 3 song...

set, and were calm, fun, and wonderful to work with on the day of our wedding. - Adam & Kat

Caitlyn S

7/03/2025

BOOK THEM NOW! This was the best decision we made while wedding planning. The team was so open to our ideas and responded quickly. They were able to learn our first dance song so ...

it could be played live. They kept the dance floor full and the energy high!

Steve S

5/19/2025

We hired the 7 piece band for our wedding in Milwaukee and they did a phenomenal job! Kara was our point of contact from when we went to check them out at another wedding all the w...

ay through the big day. She was very professional and communicative throughout the whole process. She built a great setlist for our wedding after discussing what we were looking for and they really brought the energy. We got tons of complements from guests both young and old on their song choices and how everyone was out on the dancefloor. We really cannot recommend Standing Room Only enough if you are looking for a great wedding band in the Chicago + greater area.

Harry K

3/26/2025

Standing Room Only was the best wedding band we could have asked for! From the beginning when we were searching for a band, Kara stood out as friendly, responsive and professional....

It was no surprise that on the day of, she and the band were 100% on top of the schedule and all of our setlist requests. Everything went off without a hitch, from having the audio setup and run for the ceremony through the last song of the night at the reception. And Kara was a great MC throughout all of it! The band itself is phenomenal. They kept the energy high all night long and the musicality was top notch. We had countless guests come up to us throughout the night and say the band was great. If I were planning another event where I could hire a live band, I would excitedly hire SRO again without a second thought. They will make your wedding reception a party to remember for everyone there!

Katy M

12/10/2024

We hired SRO for our wedding in August 2024, and had a great experience! Leading up to the big day, they were always quick to respond to emails, answered every question I had, and ...

provided excellent recommendations for songs when I had trouble deciding. On the day of the wedding, Kara was an awesome emcee, and the band was wonderful! The dance floor was packed the whole night, and many of our guests commented on how great the music was. If you're looking to book SRO, you won't be disappointed!

Kelly E

11/06/2024

Having Standing Room Only as our wedding band was the best experience! It was really important to us to have an energetic and fun band to ensure the dance floor was packed all nigh...

t, and they certainly delivered. That was my main priority: the dance floor! Well, they did not disappoint. They put together a great set-list with a good mix of genres based off of everything we talked about. Everyone stayed until the very end, and is still talking about how much fun the reception was! They also did an amazing job for our ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner music. I had a few songs not on their list, as well as some last minute requests and changes to songs that they were more than happy to work with me and accommodate, and I was so appreciative. Kara was so easy to work with, which made the experience a breeze.

Anastasia A

11/01/2024

From beginning to end, SRO was a dream to work with. Kara was wonderful and asked about our musical tastes and what we envisioned for our wedding day. The band sounded absolutely a...

mazing the night of our wedding. It was better than we could have ever asked for. Our guests were blown away by them and some even said that they would go to see them in concert because they were that good! As a performer myself, I can tell you that you cannot go wrong hiring SRO. The quality of musicians/vocalists and professionalism of the company can't be beat!

Anna G

10/31/2024

Kara and Standing Room Only were amazing for our wedding. We have had multiple friends and family members comment on them and how great they were. The dance floor was packed from s...

tart to finish. Kara was great to work with during the planning process and a great emcee during the night. She worked with our day of planner throughout the night to ensure the everything went smooth and things were on time. We can’t recommend Standing Room Only enough for your wedding or big event!

Lija S

10/13/2024

Wow wow wow!! Look no further for your band! You can't do better than Standing Room Only. As we planned our wedding, our #1 goal was for our friends and family to loosen up and hav...

e a good time. Our wedding blended Lithuanian and Irish American traditions, and the band engineered the musical transitions seamlessly for us. Kara of the band MC-ed for us, explaining the traditions, and she was so natural that it almost felt like she was part of the family. Once the dancing started, it was electric, and we never slowed down. They incorporated ALL of our input regarding song preferences, even eclectic ones. Maybe the sweetest thing is that the band conspired with me (the bride) to invited Mike (the groom) to perform vocals with them. He lived out his rockstar dreams, and the crowd went wild. It wasn’t just us who loved them. We received so many compliments from our guests. During and after the wedding, people approached us to tell us how incredible the band was. Guests also noted that the music wasn’t too loud once you stepped off the dance floor. The sound was engineered just right. We are so grateful to SRO for their warmth, professionalism, flexibility, and musical excellence. With you, we had the absolute times of our lives.

Molly M

9/26/2024

We were so happy with our experience with SRO for our wedding band! Our guests filled the dancefloor all night, and we appreciated Kara and Patrick's detailed planning of the eveni...

ng located in a more unusual venue - a tent outside an observatory! We had guests taking notes of favorite songs for their own weddings- thanks, SRO!

Response from Standing Room Only Orchestra on 10/13/2024

Thank you Molly! What a honor to work with you all. Hope to see you on the dance floor at ...

the next great event!

Talia B

9/10/2024

We hired Standing Room Only to be our wedding band and we could not have made a better choice! This band is absolutely incredible--the level of enthusiasm and talent they bring is ...

unparalleled, and they had the dance floor absolutely packed the entire night. They also learned a couple songs for our special dances and did a fantastic job, and did not miss a cue or a beat when it came to ceremony music and our entrance as a couple. The members of this band are so talented, and it was a privilege to hear them play (and sing!) on our big day. Many thanks to SRO for making it an incredible evening!

Jensen B

9/08/2024

Kara and the band are AMAZING! She built the best playlist from pre-ceremony drinks to the afterparty, better than we could have imagined! The vibes were going all night and the da...

ncefloor was never empty. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Marlo C

9/07/2024

SRO was PHENOMENAL! We were so excited to have live music at our wedding, and sro even surpassed our expectations. All of the music from ceremony, dinner, and dancing was excellent...

. for the ceremony, I shared with Kara that I envisioned us all walking down the aisle to blink 182 music but classical- I shared an Instagram video with her and she absolutely ran with it.. it was PERFECT & truly one of my most favorite details about the day. SRO absolutely made the dancing portion of the evening. They took all our request into account, and curated ab awesome set list of the night. we felt like we were at our own personal concert. They kept our guests dancing (& even moshing!) all night. Really cannot recommend SRO enough.

Chelsea A

7/22/2024

Standing Room Only far exceeded our expectations! Everything from the initial call with Kara, to curating our wedding playlists and taking on our special requests, to the flawless ...

ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception execution, everything seamless, professional, and everything we wanted for our day. We wanted the dance floor full and energetic all night and that's exactly what SRO made sure happened. I can't recommend Kara and the entire SRO band enough!

Andrew S

7/10/2024

The Standing Room Only Orchestra brought the party to life at our wedding! Their playlist was on point, keeping everyone on the dance floor all night long. From the classic hits to...

the modern tunes, they really knew how to keep the energy up. The band's performance truly made our reception memorable, and we're so grateful for their incredible talent. Throughout the planning process, the communication with the team was efficient and professional. They were responsive to our inquiries and accommodating to our requests, which made the whole experience stress-free. On the day of the event, they arrived on time and set up smoothly, ensuring everything ran seamlessly. In conclusion, Standing Room Only Orchestra exceeded our expectations by delivering a fun-filled night of dancing and entertainment. Their dedication to making our wedding day special was evident, and we're grateful for the unforgettable experience they provided. If you're looking for a talented and energetic band to bring your celebration to life, we highly recommend considering Standing Room Only Orchestra.

Emily M

6/24/2024

SRO meet all of our needs and had everyone dancing the whole time! We had so much fun and had so many people compliment how great the band is!

Ryan C

6/18/2024

If you are looking for live music for your wedding, look no further than Standing Room Only! Wedding planning can be stressful at times but SRO and their band leader Kara will make...

your music selection stress free!! They know soooo many songs and we never had our guests leave the dance floor. People left our wedding saying it was the best wedding they've been to and SRO was a huge part of that! I cannot recommend them enough to anyone searching for a live band, and Kara was especially accommodating and amazing to work with. Book SRO you will not regret it!!

Jenny K

4/27/2024

Standing Room Only Orchestra is OUTSTANDING! Kara has excellent communication and made planning easy and stress-free. Our guests were on the dance floor all night and raved about h...

ow good the band was. Look no further—SRO is wickedly talented, professional, and an absolute must to have at your wedding.

Response from Standing Room Only Orchestra on 05/20/2024

Thank you so much for the kind review! Congratulations and good luck!

Jane K

4/09/2024

Kara and Patrick and SRO were exceptional as the entertainment for our daughter’s wedding! From our very first conversation, we knew they would be perfect for this wonderful event,...

and they exceeded our expectations in every way. This is a talented groups of experienced musicians who can literally accommodate every genre/style, which is essential for a wedding event where there are a wide variety of guests. Kara is an exceptional master of ceremonies, providing introductions as well as instruction for the proceedings to keep us on schedule through the evening. The orchestra has the incredible ability to read the room, and play selections to keep the crowd up and dancing….and dance they did !!! The dance floor was full, literally, from beginning to end of the event. The logistics from the day we signed the contract, up until the start of the event were professional and seamless. Coordination with the venue was effortless and they played all the songs we wanted to hear, as they do a thorough consultation with the bride and groom before to ensure their playlist reflects the couples vision of their perfect reception. A wedding reception is the finale of a great deal of planning, and there is nothing that compares to live music, performed by incredibly talented artists. THIS band is worth every penny in your budget. We are getting calls from guests to thank us for the invite, and every call mentions the “amazing” musicians! They are the perfect addition to your “BEST DAY EVER” and would be ideal for any gathering where talent, professionalism and exceptional presentation are essential to take your event to the next level! You NEED to hire SRO Orchestra!

Response from Standing Room Only Orchestra on 05/20/2024

Thank you so much for the rockstar review!

Steve W

4/08/2024

FUN and flexible. Absolute joy to work with and incredibly professional. SRO has the ability to adapt to any situation, crowd and venue. HIGHLY Recommended!

Jackie W

4/08/2024

THE BEST OF THE BEST! We've never seen a dance floor packed from start to finish. Truly incredible! The music and energy had the entire venue on the floor! Kara was the most wonder...

ful person to work with. Her organization, fun personality made for the most enjoyable experience. Can't speak highly enough of SRO. Truly the best and would recommend them to any and everyone that is considering live music for any event!

Theresa G

12/05/2023

Standing Room Only was outstanding!! They brought so much energy to our night, and we received so many compliments from our guests about how great they were! Throughout the plannin...

g process, Kara was so great to work with. She was very responsive to all of our questions. We even decided to upgrade our band from 6 piece to 9 piece after signing our original contract, and she made the process so easy! During our reception, Kara was an excellent MC, and the entire band was so fun and interactive with our guests! Some of our family members who are professional musicians were able to get up on stage and perform with the band too, which made the night even more special. We are so happy we chose Standing Room Only!

Paula E

9/29/2023

If you want to be on the dance floor the whole evening, please hire SRO for your event! Kara was great to work with and the band delivered an amazing night for our guests! People a...

re still raving about them!

Response from Standing Room Only Orchestra on 09/29/2023

Thank you Paula! Your family's wedding was a rock show!

Lauren S

9/17/2023

Our wedding guests were so complimentary of Standing Room Only! We had a dry wedding, however, still had lots of dancing since SRO kept people on their feet! In the booking process...

, Kara was willing to negotiate with us. The only 2 hiccups were that we had to ask them to play a little softer during the dinner portion since it was hard to talk to guests over the noise. The other thing was they played our wrong first dance song on MP3- thankfully it wasn’t the completely wrong song but was instead the original version of an acoustic song we had planned to dance to. We made it work and no one knew the difference but initially took us by surprise. But all in all would recommend SRO!

Katie M

8/27/2023

It is never easy and always nerve wrecking choosing a band (especially without seeing them ever in person), but we must tell you that you should have the utmost confidence when boo...

king Standing Room Only. We booked them for our dream Chicago summer wedding at the University Club of Chicago and they exceeded our expectations. They sounded phenomenal, their set-list was perfect and they were the crowning piece to our unforgettable reception. So many people came up to us after the wedding that they had never seen a dance floor so packed throughout the entire 3 hour set which is all because of Standing Room Only’s performance. Kara made this entire process so turnkey and she was there every step of the way in making us feel comfortable and confident for the MC and Band of the reception. Adjectives can’t describe how happy we were with their performance as it was a night to remember. Some of their final songs were so incredible that some guests were still humming and singing the lyrics at brunch the next morning, including the epic Hey Jude rendition to end the evening. If you want a band for your wedding that you can depend on and that will have the people on their feet dancing the night away, Standing Room Only is the band for you. Thank you so much again! -Dillon and Katie

Ryan H

8/25/2023

We and our guests absolutely loved having Standing Room Only play at our wedding! They are extremely talented and have a deep setlist that kept our guests rocking all night long. W...

e also loved working with Kara - who has very kind, fun, and professional throughout. Highly recommended!

Mike H

7/06/2023

SRO was the highlight of our anniversary party. I received numerous compliments from guests throughout the evening. Kara was great to work with on our booking and in putting toge...

ther the music list; Patrick handled the set-up and coordinated the evening's performance, which was top-notch. We had the 9-piece band, including 3 singers, 2 saxophone players and 1 trumpet player; all were truly excellent. Other than for a couple of specific songs, we let them pick the songs, based on the genres we wanted to hear. They did not disappoint! The music selection and the high energy performance had the dance floor hopping all evening. By the last song the guests were shouting for an encore. If you select SRO for your event, you will be so glad you did.

Derek S

6/13/2023

Standing Room Only left our guests speechless and sweating for more! My wife and I had a special request for our first dance and SRO blew us away - they outdid the original. Kara k...

ept the reception organized and moving along. Oh, and their set? It was the best wedding set I've ever heard: classics, deep cuts, and special requests. My wife and I took a short break during the band's break and were afraid we'd return to an empty dance floor. To our pleasant surprise, Standing Room Only had our guests dancing all over again. The floor was packed all night. I cannot recommend Kara and Standing Room Only enough!

Brett R

6/07/2023

From day one we knew this band would be different. Kara was welcoming and provided true guidance and consultation throughout the planning process. When it came to the day of, they ...

delivered and went above and beyond for us. We continue to get compliments pouring in about how great our band was and could not thank SRO enough. The whole band provided an amazing experience, we would highly recommend!

Emma J

3/09/2023

My company has hired SRO for many years - super reliable, professional, and experienced. They know what to do and what/when to communicate, allowing you to focus on your special da...

y. Great music and great people.

Meaghan C

12/26/2022

Standing Room Only was the best choice for our wedding! We had so many guests tell us it was the best wedding band they have ever heard. From the start Kara was easy to communicate...

with and was so easy to work with. We are so happy we picked SRO for our wedding!

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(630) 771-0212

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Standing Room Only Orchestra

Kara Kesselring

Owner

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Standing Room Only Orchestra

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