Fresh Take On A Classic Party Band (A REAL BAND)
$1,500 starting price
NY-NJ-Long Is-CT
Service area
Candace DeBartolo
OWNER
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (8X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Your story. Your party. YOU select the songs you love, WE turn your event into a wild party!
Throwing the ultimate dance party is our passion, let us make your event truly unforgettable.
CATCH US LIVE MONTHLY at The Red Lion on Bleecker Street in NYC!
Visit our website for showcase info & experience the fun!
We offer a fresh take on the 'classic party band' ... ya know a set group of singers/players with killer chemistry that play together 100% of the time - we are A REAL BAND (not an agency mish mosh) - and we are determined to make your big occasion a party that never stops! Whether you envision a wild crowd surfing party or a more refined event, you can count on the party experience of a lifetime.
With up to 3 lead singers and a full horn section we deliver all genres from the 60's to today's hits, and we tailor the music to suit each and every couple's musical tastes.
We came together to play our favorite music in 2010 and have since performed for literally thousands of amazing party goers, at dozens of clubs, concerts, and for HUNDREDS of happy couples!
We've figured out a few things over the years to make your planning process 100% stress free so you can focus on the FUN & the MUSIC!
Visit our website for live video, photos, reviews, club shows, showcase info and more.
Prices & packages
Strings for Ceremony & Cocktails
$1,500 starting price
Strings for Ceremony & Cocktails
$1,500 starting price
2 hours
2 hours
Soloists, duos, trios, quartets
Soloists, duos, trios, quartets
From Classical to Modern Favs
From Classical to Modern Favs
Small Ensembles
$1,500 starting price
Small Ensembles
$1,500 starting price
Contact for hours
Contact for hours
1-5 pcs for cocktails, ceremonies, small parties
1-5 pcs for cocktails, ceremonies, small parties
Jazz Trios & Quartets
$4,500 starting price
Jazz Trios & Quartets
$4,500 starting price
3 hours
3 hours
From elegant Jazz & Latin to Jumping Swing styles.
From elegant Jazz & Latin to Jumping Swing styles.
ESSENTIAL 8 Piece Band
$13,700 starting price
ESSENTIAL 8 Piece Band
$13,700 starting price
5 hours
5 hours
complimentary cocktail soloist
complimentary cocktail soloist
4 hours dinner & dance
4 hours dinner & dance
emcee
emcee
we'll learn up to three songs
we'll learn up to three songs
customized playlist
customized playlist
Most popular
.AWESOME 9 Piece Band
$14,500 starting price
AWESOME 9 Piece Band
$14,500 starting price
6 hours
6 hours
complimentary ceremony soloist
complimentary ceremony soloist
complimentary ceremony soloist
complimentary ceremony soloist
4 hours dinner & dance
4 hours dinner & dance
we'll learn up to three songs
we'll learn up to three songs
complimentary cocktail soloist
complimentary cocktail soloist
customized playlist
customized playlist
emcee
emcee
KILLER 10 Piece Band
$14,950 starting price
KILLER 10 Piece Band
$14,950 starting price
6 hours
6 hours
emcee
emcee
we'll learn up to three songs
we'll learn up to three songs
complimentary cocktail soloist
complimentary cocktail soloist
complimentary cocktail soloist
complimentary cocktail soloist
customized playlist
customized playlist
4 hours dinner & dance
4 hours dinner & dance
complimentary ceremony soloist
complimentary ceremony soloist
Showing slides 1 to 3 out of 6
- Strings for Ceremony & Cocktails$1,500 starting priceStrings for Ceremony & Cocktails$1,500 starting price2 hours2 hoursSoloists, duos, trios, quartetsSoloists, duos, trios, quartetsFrom Classical to Modern FavsFrom Classical to Modern Favs
- Small Ensembles$1,500 starting priceSmall Ensembles$1,500 starting priceContact for hoursContact for hours1-5 pcs for cocktails, ceremonies, small parties1-5 pcs for cocktails, ceremonies, small parties
- Jazz Trios & Quartets$4,500 starting priceJazz Trios & Quartets$4,500 starting price3 hours3 hoursFrom elegant Jazz & Latin to Jumping Swing styles.From elegant Jazz & Latin to Jumping Swing styles.
- ESSENTIAL 8 Piece Band$13,700 starting priceESSENTIAL 8 Piece Band$13,700 starting price5 hours5 hourscomplimentary cocktail soloistcomplimentary cocktail soloist4 hours dinner & dance4 hours dinner & danceemceeemceewe'll learn up to three songswe'll learn up to three songscustomized playlistcustomized playlist
- Most popular.AWESOME 9 Piece Band$14,500 starting priceAWESOME 9 Piece Band$14,500 starting price6 hours6 hourscomplimentary ceremony soloistcomplimentary ceremony soloistcomplimentary ceremony soloistcomplimentary ceremony soloist4 hours dinner & dance4 hours dinner & dancewe'll learn up to three songswe'll learn up to three songscomplimentary cocktail soloistcomplimentary cocktail soloistcustomized playlistcustomized playlistemceeemcee
- KILLER 10 Piece Band$14,950 starting priceKILLER 10 Piece Band$14,950 starting price6 hours6 hoursemceeemceewe'll learn up to three songswe'll learn up to three songscomplimentary cocktail soloistcomplimentary cocktail soloistcomplimentary cocktail soloistcomplimentary cocktail soloistcustomized playlistcustomized playlist4 hours dinner & dance4 hours dinner & dancecomplimentary ceremony soloistcomplimentary ceremony soloist
- Starting prices may not include all fees a vendor may charge.
- Couples usually spend $14,950
Are you interested?
Reach out and share your wedding details.
Details
Instruments
Bass
Guitar
Keyboard
Percussion
Piano
Saxophone
Trombone
Trumpet
Vocals
Music Genres
Dance
Disco
EDM
Hip-Hop
Jazz
Latin
Pop
R&B
Rock
Music Services
Live Music
MC Services
Sound Equipment
Wedding Activities
Rehearsals & Parties
After Party
Wedding
After Party
Ceremony
Reception
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Meet the team
Candace DeBartolo
Owner
I'm Candace DeBartolo, co-founder of The Storytellers. My band came together in 2009 through a shared love of music and while playing concerts and clubs, and we morphed into a private party band after so many folks asked us to perform for their weddings and corporate events.
Throwing the ultimate dance party is our passion! As a set band with many years of experience in private events, we provide exceptional personalized service, emcee the event, learn special song requests and most of all deliver a KILLER DANCE PARTY! With monthly NYC club gigs, you can catch a show before you book!
Availability
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.0123 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.
The Storytellers received glowing reviews for their exceptional musical performance and professionalism at various weddings. Multiple reviewers praised their talent, energy, and ability to keep guests dancing all night, with many highlighting how the band made their wedding unforgettable. Candace, the band leader, was commended for her organization, responsiveness, and seamless communication throughout the planning process. Guests appreciated the band's diverse song list, infectious energy, and ability to read the crowd, making them a highly recommended choice for any wedding or event in terms of live entertainment.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 5
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Jenni D
5.0
3/09/2025
HIRE THE STORYTELLERS!!!!! You won't be sorry!
After we saw The Storytellers at a friend's wedding a couple of years ago, we decided we wanted them to play at ours. Candace was incredibly responsive, attentive, helpful, and accommodating from our very first interaction. She helped us plan our reception timeline to maximize dancing and gave us a list of songs to choose from to help us cater to our guests. People are still talking about the band a week later. Everyone was blown away by the music and our dance floor was packed the entire night!!! We've heard from multiple people that they were one of the "best bands they've ever heard at a wedding." I cannot say enough about this band and how incredible they are. Thank you Candace & team for the best wedding we could've asked for!!!
Stefani D
5.0
2/03/2025
The Storytellers were one of the best and easiest decisions we made when wedding planning. It was important for us to actually be able to experience our band outside of YouTube clips before we made the commitment for wedding entertainment, and the Storytellers were one of few bands that offered live shows in the city. From our first experience we were sold, and we went back to see them 3 more times leading up to the wedding for a fun night out. By the time it came to our wedding night, we felt like we knew the band - but somehow we were still blown away by their incredible talent. The venue coordinator told us it was the first wedding she worked where most guests were up and dancing even before appetizers were served. Months later, we're still getting comments on what a great band we had. Don't hesitate to check them out for your event - they're kind, professional, and know how to keep the party going!
Any questions?
Brianna B
5.0
12/28/2024
Yall. The storytellers are INCREDIBLE. They are hands down the best decision I made when booking entertainment for my wedding. They blew me away!! Every single guest was raving about how incredible they were. They are a real band that plays together all the time & that definitely showed!! Some of the most talented singers & musicians I’ve ever experienced. Book them for your wedding!!! You will not regret it!!!
Erica C
5.0
10/22/2024
Storytellers brought the fun to our Brooklyn wedding last month!! Everyone said it was the best band they ever heard at a wedding. We danced all night! They were such talented musicians and vocalists! Amazing song list! The band made the wedding so much fun!!
Plus, on the front end, Candace was sooo easy to work with and made the process very clear and easy. Of all the things we had to worry about for the wedding- music was not one of them!
Could not recommend them enough. Thank you Storytellers!
response 10/24/2024
Wow...what can we say...once the lights were turned down and the party favors were glowing...
it felt like a lit rock concert! Thanks for letting loose and having such a great party! We had a blast.
Allie G
5.0
9/30/2024
We had the absolute best experience with Storytellers Band. My wedding was September 2024 and we couldn't have been happier. Candace was incredible to work with and made the entire process leading up to the event so smooth and seamless. The band crushed it start to finish, from the processional, through the cocktail hour and during the entire reception. Several friends and family even asked us for their name/card at the end of the night because they enjoyed them so much, too! No one left the dance floor the entire night, which says enough! Best decision!
DREW B
5.0
6/01/2024
The Storytellers were the perfect live band choice for our wedding. Unlike the bands you find from bigger agencies where middle men and extra fees are involved, the Storytellers and independent & have the utmost chemistry with one another because they're not some part of some big corporate large roster that mixes and matches.
Special shout out to Candace. Ultimate band leader & point person from the band. She made us feel so taken care of during our wedding - they played jam after jam after jam!
response 10/24/2024
Drew & Clare - thank you so much for having us and allowing us to perform with (almost) re...
ckless abandon (LOL). I'm not sure we could ever get used to singing that Celo Green song with the actual lyrics, but it was super fun to do so at your party! You all were off the hook and totally went for it, and it was awesome to play to!
Anne Marie R
5.0
2/13/2024
The Storytellers NYC are incredible!!! They are so good at reading the room and keeping the energy high for the entire night!! We are still getting compliments about them months after our wedding. They are so insanely talented and so easy to work with. Candace kept us on track throughout the planning process and is extremely responsive and accomodating. You will not regret booking them
Jacqueline S
5.0
11/10/2023
RUN, don’t walk, to book The Storytellers! Having a wedding band, especially one that was LGBTQ friendly, was one of our top priorities for our wedding. We hired the Storytellers for our wedding in September 2023 and they were INCREDIBLE. Now, two months later, our guests are still raving about how we had THE BEST wedding band.
Candace, a co-founder and sax player, made every single step of the planning process seamless and painless. Her communication both over the phone and email was excellent and always timely. The planning documents they sent closer to the event date were very organized and ensured the day was everything we wanted it to be. The documents went over our must-plays and do not play songs, the timeline, which Candace helped us determine, and the names of family members who were giving speeches, etc.
The Storytellers also have an amazing variety of songs in their repertoire. From songs that are popular today, to 90’s hits to motown and more, we and our guests were on the dance floor all night long!
Every musician of the Storytellers is extremely talented. The guitarist, Emilio, was amazing for our ceremony music, and David, the keyboard player, was also amazing during cocktail hour. Travis and Leah were lead singers and Travis did an incredible job as our MC.
Before booking them, we saw The Storytellers in person at The Red Lion on Bleecker St. in NYC. They know how to get the party going and energize a crowd. We went back to see them a few times leading up to our wedding which was a fun way to countdown as our day got closer. We also got to know the band better before the wedding day and heard songs that we maybe would not have thought of for our must-play list.
You will NOT regret choosing The Storytellers as your wedding band!!
response 12/28/2023
Jackie and Sam - we had a blast playing for you, your family and friends! Your wedding da...
y was so wonderful and we're honored to have been a part of the festivities!!! Best Wishes to you!
Rachel G
5.0
7/13/2023
Hire the Storytellers. It will absolutely make your wedding party a party. The energy, talent, intuitiveness and experience this band brings is truly one of a kind. They succeed in every element and across every genre. We wanted a big band wedding feel but had some very particular requests in removing some typical dancing songs and swapping in some 60s/70s and hip hop. Candance and the team curated a playlist that truly fit the bill. They did a little bit of everything and the dance floor was packed the entire night. We have visceral memories of specific songs throughout the night that still light us up just thinking about it. They conduct the vibe of the night which was always on point.
They are amazing to work with in the lead up, organized, on top of every element. It feels so good to have a vendor check in and schedule planning calls to keep us organized and at ease during the planning process.
I want to reiterate. This band is extremely talented, high energy and the best choice we made for our Brooklyn wedding.
Jordan L
5.0
5/16/2023
We had the Storytellers at our wedding in NYC and they were INCREDIBLE! Everything from their sound, song choices and stage presence was perfect. Candace and the rest of the team were also extremely responsive and easy to work with throughout the whole process. Our guests haven't stopped raving about the performance. Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a wedding band!
response 12/28/2023
Jordan and Joe - thank you so much! Your party at Capitale was so amazing from start to f...
inish!!! Also it was great to see you after the wedding at our Red Lion performances! Keep coming out!!! Best wishes to you and your families!
Beth L
5.0
12/23/2022
Storytellers NYC could not have been a better choice for our wedding! The dance floor was completely electric the entire night and no one stopped dancing until the end of the last song. Candace was extremely responsive and detail oriented throughout the entire planning process and was truly a delight to work with. We could not recommend this band enough for any event where you want the best live music experience. 10/10 recommend!
Bianca W
5.0
12/19/2022
We booked the Storytellers Band during COVID solely based on reviews and videos. It was the BEST decision we made for our wedding and worth every penny! Candace was so easy to work with and answered any and all questions we had leading up the big day. The band was able to cover genres for all ages and tastes. Our guests danced the entire night and could not stop complementing the bands performance for weeks after the wedding. Everyone was pleasantly surprised they could dance between courses due to the bands brilliant day of schedule. We were blown away by the bands talent and ability to connect with every one of our guests. Do yourself a favor and ensure your wedding will be one the best your guests have attended by hiring Storytellers for your special day!
Jennifer H
5.0
12/10/2022
If you are searching for a wedding band, look no further and go with the Storytellers. After experiencing their impressive performance at a friend's wedding a few years ago, and numerous performances at local bars since, my husband and I knew this was the first and easiest decision to make when we started planning our wedding. Throughout the entire process, Candace was professional, organized, and clearly invested in ensuring that they were able to provide the atmosphere and vibe we wanted. Candace, Travis, and the entire band worked hard to meet our request for a specific entrance song- and no surprise, they nailed it! They had everyone out on the dance floor throughout our reception and months later, guests are still commenting on how much they loved The Storytellers. Everyone in the band is incredibly talented and we couldn't be happier that we worked with them.
Rachel S
5.0
11/05/2022
The Storytellers were the highlight of our wedding night! ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!! Candace, the band’s manager, was communicative and did an incredible job organizing, coordinating and preparing for our day. It was absolutely perfect. EVERYONE couldn’t get over how incredible the band was - it’s the first thing our guests commented on that night and to this day!
Katria M
5.0
10/25/2022
If you want your guests on the dance floor the entire time, this is the band for your wedding! Communication with The Storytellers Band is very easy (Candace is very organized)! Their energy and chemistry is off the charts! The day of our wedding we didn’t have to worry about a thing, the band had all the information, came on time and set up. They did an awesome job on our first dance song! Our guests are still raving to us on how amazing the band was!
Chrissy G
5.0
10/20/2022
We had the Storytellers at our wedding in September- talented musicians, with a HUGE song list. They did a great job matching the energy of the room throughout the dancing portion of our wedding. Overall, we were happy with our decision to book them!
Loanne N
5.0
10/18/2022
Beyond amazing! The Storytellers are such a talented band who knows how to read a crowd and get the party going. My sister booked them for her wedding in 2019 and I knew I had to book them again for my wedding in 2022 - they were just as amazing as a few years ago.
Leading up to the event, Candace was amazing in answering any questions we had and was flexible in problem solving any issues we had with logistics or our venue. We cannot thank them enough for making our day even more special and amazing. Book them - you will not regret it.
Morgan F
5.0
7/22/2022
We hired the Storytellers to play at our wedding and wow, we were absolutely blown away! So many of our guests came up to us after the wedding and told us how amazing the band was. They brought high energy all night and did a fantastic job getting people up and on the dance floor. They know how to get a party going!
They sounded amazing on every song they played and it was great working with them to make our playlist. They have a huge repertoire and offered to learn a few additional songs for special dances (first dance, parent dances). They also are excellent at reading the room and deciding on a good order to cater to the crowd. Our families and friends love to dance and party and all of them had a great time singing and dancing the entire night.
The music is such a huge part of a wedding and we could not be happier with our choice to go with the Storytellers. They helped us turn the most special and loving day of our lives into the most fun as well!
Ian Z
5.0
7/06/2022
We hired the Storytellers band to play at our wedding on June 25, 2022 at Full Moon Resort in the Catskills and they were ABSOLUTELY incredible throughout the entire experience. I heard over a dozen times from various guests that we had the best wedding band they'd ever heard. They were phenomenal.
I'm going to break my review down into two parts: part 1 focusing on the experience of working with Storytellers leading up to the wedding, and part 2 focusing on the day of.
Part 1: the lead-up. From the very first time we contacted Storytellers for an initial consultation, all the way up to the day before the wedding, they were extremely positive, responsive, and professional. They always responded to our emails promptly (often within the day), and their song lists and intake forms were super polished and easy and fun to fill out. These details made us feel like we were in good heads every step of the way, and had nothing to worry about.
Part 2: the day of. Storytellers brought the HEAT to our wedding. We hired their guitarist to play during our ceremony - he played beautiful acoustic renditions of 3 songs we chose and he learned especially for the day. We then hired a jazz quartet to play at our cocktail hour - they were fantastic and set a perfect mood for our pre-dinner drinks. And then the full 10-piece band played the reception. Though all the performances were amazing, the reception was the highlight. One of the real advantages with Storytellers versus other bands you might be considering is that Storytellers does not have a rotating lineup. Storytellers is a fixed band, and so the same people play together every night. In other bands, there's a rotating cast of 50-100 musicians who sub in and out for each gig, resulting in a sometimes uncoordinated sound (depending on who comes to the show).
Storytellers plays like they play together all the time - their singers harmonize beautifully and cheer each other on, the horn players blast their parts in perfect sync, and their energy is infectious.
In short, I can't recommend this band enough!!! Thank you Storytellers.
- Ian
Rachel Y
5.0
6/06/2022
A PARTY! I still have family and friends asking for their phone number and are ready to book for their own wedding! As soon as the bridal party began walking down the aisle and I could hear the beautiful flute and keyboard playing, I was crying. Just elegant!! Not to mention when we walked into the party, what a hit!! We went through 22 pages of music and highlighted/stared the must haves and they listened! It was a the best day of our lives because our band was phenomenal! I always say music makes or breaks the party and the Storytellers were the best choice!!!!
-Rachel and Adam Marcus
Helena R
5.0
5/24/2022
I'd like to start this review with hire this band immediately. Storytellers NYC not only made our wedding at Red Maple Vineyard the party of the year, but our experience working with them was absolutely seamless end to end. Candace is an exceptional band leader and from our first conversation, I knew she was someone who I wanted to work with. The musicians are professionals through and through. From our piano soloist during our ceremony to the band's entire reception setlist, everything was perfect. The energy was perfect the entire night and our guests keep raving about how amazing our band was. I cannot recommend Storytellers NYC enough and can't wait to see them again at Red Lion in NYC. THANK YOU for making our wedding the party we've all been waiting for.
Brett L
5.0
5/07/2022
We got married in Jersey City and the Storytellers were incredible! Our guests were on the dance floor all night and have not stopped raving since. Candace was extremely professional and easy to work with. Huge song selection with a wide range of music. You cannot go wrong picking the Storytellers to play your wedding!
response 05/08/2022
Hello Tara and Brett - thanks so much! We had a blast at your party! Thank you so much f...
or having us and treating us so well! Best Wishes!!
Aviva T
5.0
4/19/2022
BEST BAND EVER!! I was introduced to the Storytellers at a friends wedding a few years back and said to myself, if I ever get married I am hiring them. We got married on April 9th, 2022 and the Storytellers stole the show. From the moment I contacted Candace I knew that she was going to be someone easy and fun to work with, and I was right. She made the whole process so seamless and we could not be happier. Besides being incredibly talented, the band knows how to get the crowd up and keep them engaged. We danced and sang for hours and it was exactly as I pictured it would be. I can't give the band enough praise. Thank you for the best night of our lives
Samantha E
5.0
1/05/2022
We got married on December 4th, 2021 at City Winery in NYC and our wedding guests are STILL talking about how amazing the Storytellers were. They are an unbelievably talented group of musicians who took the time to really get to know my husband and I. Through several prep calls, we were able to curate the playlist together, while allowing the band to take some creative liberties - trust me, they know what they're doing and they have an expansive song list!
They leaned into the energy of the wedding and the dance floor was never empty. They were professional, attentive and, most importantly, FUN. I can't wait to see them live again.
response 01/05/2022
Samantha & Nico THANK YOU SO MUCH for throwing such an amazing party! We had so much fun a...
nd it was your energy and that of your guests that brought out the best is us! I wish we could do it all over again LOL. Best wishes!!!
Andree A
5.0
1/03/2022
Incredible band! Candace was an absolute pleasure to work with and made the entire process so seamless. Our wedding reception guests loved the band as much as we did - the dance floor was packed the entire night! I highly recommend them for any event and look forward to hearing them play again in New York!
Sharon S
5.0
11/05/2021
The Storytellers really know how to bring the energy to the party. They had our entire party (including people who tend to sit back) up dancing for the whole night. Their song choices were amazing and the energy was high all night - they made it so no one left early! Everyone has told us how amazing they were and we couldn’t agree more!
Jessica V
5.0
9/07/2021
Look No Further!!! This is the best decision you will make for your wedding!!! Every person was on the dance floor the entire night and we owe that to The Storytellers Band! Weeks later people are still contacting us to tell us how amazing the band was. Candace is incredibly responsive and coordinated, she puts you at ease that they will take control of the night. Their song list is vast and you will find every style of music your heart can desire. 10/10 would recommend, you will NOT regret it!
Christine K
5.0
9/04/2021
The Storytellers Band is seriously amazing and was the highlight of our wedding. We had a small wedding and venue and initially decided to go with a trio - Nicole, Sara, and Dan. After working with Candace and discussing the type of music we were interested in, she suggested that we add Travis to our set. We are so glad we agreed because the four of them together was so much fun. We had the variety of music we wanted and the sound of a much bigger band. Our guests are still talking about how much fun they had on the dance floor. I will admit, we contemplated a band vs. DJ for financial reasons but they were worth every penny. If you are on the fence, stop reading this review and book them! You won’t regret it.
Alyssa E
5.0
8/16/2021
The Storytellers Band is the absolute best and made our wedding night!! Music was very important for us and once we heard the band play one night in NYC, we knew we had to have them at our wedding! They were one of the very first vendors we had secured, and we're so glad we did. The Storytellers were so easy to work with throughout the whole planning process and kept our dance floor packed the entire night. I would highly recommend The Storytellers Band to all couples - our guests still rave about them!! :)
Matthew H
5.0
8/09/2021
This band is amazing and we would recommend them to any bride and groom. We actually heard them at a family member's wedding and had to book them as soon as we got our date. All of our guests felt that they were at a concert in fancy outfits. They really made our night.
Christine M
5.0
7/19/2021
The Storytellers were the highlight of our wedding!
We planned our wedding right before COVID, so we re-planned for a different date, venue, etc. Candace was super helpful, coming up with creative solutions, patient/fledxible with multiple changes, and always extremely respectful of our budget. She is also incredibly kind and reassuring during a stressful and uncertain time. The wedding we orignally planned was not even close to the wedding we ended up having, and she not only rolled with us, but also helped us figure it all out! In all the chaos of planning, she thought of every detail and got our input (without overwhelming us). She even coordinated with our caterer to make sure everything ran smoothly, which it did. She and the band were so low maintaince and easy going. She also was very mindful of COVID and was thoughtful in ways to plan the day so our guests and the band would be as safe as possible. Sara was also really kind and made sure we were happy, and the timing of the event was how we wanted .
As far as the actual music, I had watched and listened to clips of the band playing so I knew they were going to be good, but when I heard the keyboard player start to warm up I knew it was really on. I heard his first notes and I literally said out loud, "Oh hell yea." The keyboard player covered songs of our chosing during the ceremony and during cocktail hour. His instrumental version of the songs we picked - Pink's "A Million Dreams" and Steve Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" were moving and full of heart. He also played/sang our first dance which was Ben Folds' "The Luckiest" and he absoluately nailed it.
When the full band started for the reception, they was just as verisilte and every single song was so tight. This group has so much talent, I couldn't beleive they were playing for us. I actually still can't beleive it. Their energy was joyful and every single one of them had a smile on their face. It felt like they were celebrating with us. Our friends and family had a blasted, everyone together on the dance floor. Our guests are still reaching out to us talking about how much they enjoyed the band. We ended up with an outdoor wedding in our yard and we've been approached by so many neighbors (some of whom we didn't invite, and some whom we didnt even know) telling us "that band was awesome!" and "we kept our windows open all day enjoying the music!" and "who was that band?!" etc. They were the best and worth every penny.
Brie W
5.0
6/23/2021
Literally the best decision we made throughout the entire wedding process. Every single person left the wedding saying it was the best band they'd ever seen. The talent amongst this group is unreal! Beyond that, Candace is super super easy to work with and very responsive. They are extremely professional. 10/10 would recommend, you will NOT regret it!
Tillie S
5.0
3/21/2020
The Storytellers were amazing and unforgettable, and put on the perfect wedding celebration in November of 2019! The band was one of our most important decisions that we focused on, and we definitely made the right choice. First off, it was great that we were able to see the Storytellers perform at the Red Lion in NYC to get a sense of their style and meet some of the band members before we decided on a band. This immediately differentiated them from the usual big wedding band companies that don’t feel as personal. From the start, Candace was incredibly easy to work with, and ensured everything went smoothly leading up to the big day. The band has a huge song list and is very flexible when it comes to crafting the vibe you want for your party. You can go through their list, show them the songs and genres you like, and they’ll even learn some of the special songs for the dances and such. The band really crushed it from start to finish: the pianist greeted our guests on the piano; the guitarist played the cocktail hour beautifully; and the band had everyone up and dancing throughout the entire reception. Everybody, old and young, loved the music, and kept asking us about the band. They do everything – Motown, classic rock, 90s, hip hop, current, you name it. The horn section was a hit, too. We did have a preference for our ideal lineup of singers, but things do sometimes go wrong… one of our singers was sick so we had a last-minute replacement. We were pretty nervous, but she was absolutely incredible. We have zero regrets about choosing the Storytellers and would highly recommend them to anyone in a heartbeat.
Amanda N
5.0
3/06/2020
We're so happy we booked Storytellers for our wedding! Our top priority was the band - music is very important to us and we wanted a certain vibe. Storytellers executed our vision perfectly. They worked with us on special songs too which was really meaningful to us. Our wedding was a blast! People had so much fun dancing and singing along with the band. We got married 9 months ago and people are still telling us what a great band we had!
Megan S
5.0
3/02/2020
My fiancé and I hired The Storytellers for our wedding in February 2020 after seeing them perform at my cousins wedding and could not be happier with our decision! They bring the BEST energy to the room and gave us the amazing dance party we wanted. What’s unique and special about them is the range they have. The lead singers Melissa and Travis are just AMAZING with very powerful voices. But the third singer Qua is also so talented AND is an awesome rapper. The guitar player Emilio sings lead for the rock songs SO well, and the piano player David also kills it on the songs he leads. He sang the Billy Joel song I danced with my dad to and showed so much passion! Together they can offer such a wide variety of songs that I don’t think all wedding style bands are capable of. We’ve received so much positive feedback about them since our wedding and we are just SO happy we hired them to make our day so a dream!
Samantha M
5.0
12/11/2019
The Storytellers made our wedding! They were so easy to work with and in our venue. They played exactly what we wanted and every single guest of said that they were the best band they had heard. There was no a single guest who was sitting because they were on the dance floor, which is exactly what we wanted, No one wanted to leave because of the excellent songs and energy from the storytellers. They were truly incredible and we could not have asked for a better band for our incredible day!! HIGHLY suggest and recommend!!
Jeff W
5.0
11/26/2019
We had the East Side Stories Band come rock our wedding (8/17/19) and we couldn't have been happier. We wanted to have a band with both female & male singers, a horn section and a party attitude that would grow the energy with our party crowd. Working with Candace and Sara was super easy - and we relied on a lot of their guidance with song flow and working through their awesome musical options. We had originally picked East Side Stories Band relying on youtube links which is always a little nerve wracking, however after signing our contract we saw one of their live showcases at Red Lion in NYC. Very quickly, even without the full band playing that night, we knew we picked the right band - they had great energy, the ability to play a wide variety of songs and had a bar going wild on a Tuesday evening.
On the day of, from start to finish, they were incredible! They read the crowd so well and played songs they knew would get and keep everyone on the dance floor - there was never a time when no one was dancing when they were playing. They even took to the dance floor while performing, dancing and singing with the crowd (and hit our photo booth during their break) - it was awesome! Their closing number, which they recommended to us, was absolutely incredible and our only regret was that we aren't sure anyone got it on film!
I cannot recommend this band enough - my wife and I did so much research of every band in the tristate area via the internet, including a bunch that were significantly more expensive - they were so perfect I can't imagine anyone else. I look forward to seeing them again at Red Lion and thanking them in person (and I think one of the singers may have a video of the end!). Go with East Side Stories!
Nicky K
5.0
11/20/2019
We are so happy we booked Storytellers for our wedding in September! They were easy to work with in the months leading up to the wedding - everything was organized and response times were really fast. All night people kept commenting on how great the band was and even months later we continue to hear that feedback.
Julia B
5.0
11/08/2019
Going into wedding planning, the band was one of the most important (if not, THE most important) decision for us. We found The Storytellers on Instagram and ended up going into NYC one night to watch them play at a bar. I sent them an e-mail to book the very next day and could NOT be happier with our decision. From the first meeting until the last minute they played on our wedding night, they were so organized, so passionate and so professional. I don't think many people ever left the dance floor all night and our guests still talk about how good the band was. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!
Lisa G
5.0
9/11/2019
We knew the band was the most important decision we’d be making during the wedding planning process, and as such, decided to meet with a few different bands before picking one. Storytellers was the first one we saw, and my now husband, who has an ear for music, knew immediately that they were the real deal. Being a cautious bride, I didn’t want to jump on the first one, so I dragged my then fiancé to see a few more. After each one, we kept saying, “nope, not nearly as good as Storytellers. ” So we decided to book Storytellers and let me tell you... Best decision we made for our wedding. Sara and Candace (founders) were in constant communication throughout the process and were easy to reach. They were flexible to work with and provided clear documents and Instructions in advance of the wedding so they had all the info they needed from us to deliver exactly what we wanted. Most importantly, on the day of the wedding, from start to finish, the band brought the house down. The ceremony pianist played beautiful music, the duo during the cocktail hour was fantastic, and the band during the wedding literally had people bowing down to them. The reception was outdoors in a tent filled with 200 people and the sound acoustics were PERFECT the whole night. Our MC and lead singer, Thomas, was by far the best wedding singer we’ve ever heard. He held a note during “Superstition” that we’ll never forget the rest of our lives. “Beyond worth every dollar” our parents said. Our guests said “best wedding band We’ve ever seen”. Our friends who are newly engaged already asked for their contact info. It was actually a RAGER, Thomas got onto the dance floor and into the crowd. We couldn’t have dreamt of a wedding band this good — we’ve been to weddings with 45 Riots, Hank Lane, etc and Storytellers take the cake. STOP READING THIS REVIEW AND BOOK THEM NOW. You won’t regret it. Best money we spent on the wedding!
Katie H
5.0
7/18/2019
These guys are the real deal! The Storytellers played at our wedding at the end of June and were unbelievable! They were so good, there were times I forgot there was an actual live band playing because the songs sounded so amazing! Everyone at our wedding couldn't stop talking about them.
Sara and Candace were incredibly easy to work with, learned all the songs we requested, and made the whole process so easy. They even provided the guitarist to play at our ceremony and cocktail hour, who was abolsutely incredible.
Seriously, book this band! You will not regret it!
Kaela K
5.0
7/18/2019
How do I even begin to put into words how amazing The Storytellers were at our wedding? If you’re lucky enough to have them available for your date... book now. A good band was our number one priority and they stole the show. I couldn’t have asked for a more fun party. They knew how to keep people on the dance floor. I wish they could have played all night! Thank you so much Sara and Candace!!!!!!!!
Isabel E
5.0
6/13/2019
The Storytellers were really amazing to work with. They were attentive, helped us through the planning process, and offered really helpful suggestions. Their music catalog is crazy broad, and they did an amazing job with the extra songs we requested. Custom arrangement for the first dance? Amazing.
Our guests loved them, and so did we. They made the party. Of note, we had a DJ as well for part of it, and they worked really well together.
Thank you guys for being fantastic! <3
response 06/13/2019
Isabel & Cesar thank you so much! We had a blast performing for you and your guests! It ...
was so fun playing in an aquarium as well! Nothing like a wild party under a massive hanging shark!! Best wishes!
Candace G
5.0
4/18/2019
From the first song they played, our guests could not stop raving about The Storytellers! They created such a perfect party atmosphere for all of our guests. It truly was an unforgettable night and it’s 1000% because of this amazing band. THANK YOU!
Corinne W
5.0
4/15/2019
Please book this band now! They are INCREDIBLE. From MC'ing to song choices, they did such an amazing job at our wedding. I've had numerous guests afterwards tell me that they've never seen so many people on the dance floor before. Sara and Candace (the bands founders) were awesome to work with and ensured everything went smoothly in the planning process. I can't thank them enough!!
Susan N
5.0
4/02/2019
The Storytellers are incredible! They played for our son and daughter in laws wedding on Saturday and they were beyond what I expected. The moment they began playing, people rushed the floor and danced all night!
Megan S
5.0
3/03/2019
From the moment we started planning our wedding the most important thing to us was the band. We wanted to make sure that everyone was up on the dance floor the whole night and we have friends who are professional musicians so we knew our band had to have chops. So, we spent a lot of time researching different groups and going with the Storytellers was the best decision we could have made. They have an amazing sound, are great performers, are incredibly versatile and were a pleasure to work with. They had our crowd dancing for two straight hours and at the end of the night when the party was supposed to be over no one wanted it to end. If you want a wedding that people will remember because of how much fun they had dancing and how good the music was, hire the Storytellers!
Mary B
5.0
3/02/2019
The Storytellers brought the house down at our wedding. We received SO many compliments from our guests. From Bruce Springsteen to Mariah Carey to Frank Sinatra, it was a perfect playlist for us that we couldn't have put together better ourselves. The dance floor was packed the entire night. Candace and Sara were so easy to work with, listened to what we had in mind, and made the planning process seamless and fun. We highly recommend the Storytellers, and your guests will all love them too!
Jen M
5.0
2/24/2019
The Storytellers were the highlight of the reception! They are super talented in all genres of music and they had a good sense of what to play to keep the energy high. My only request had been Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody", which they nailed! (Try singing that at karaoke.) The planning process was smooth, organized, and easy. They give you plenty of room for requests and feedback, but they are also pros who know how to keep a dance floor packed. Hire them for your wedding and then don't spend another minute worrying about the reception!
Diana W
5.0
2/01/2019
The Storytellers made our wedding AMAZING!! Our guests were on the dance floor ALL NIGHT LONG! They played all the songs we wanted and really made each one unique. They MCed the event perfectly and we owe so much of our perfect day to them! My husband and I danced all night and the night just flew by. Definitely recommend them to any couple wanting their guests to dance all night. They were so great. 100% recommend the Storytellers!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Rob D
5.0
1/15/2019
The Storytellers absolutely rocked our wedding! We couldn’t be happier with the talent, song selection, and overall ability to to inspire our family and friends to get loose and dance! Everyone I spoke with told me that the band was awesome! They brought the fun and my wife and I are so appreciative!
Working with Sara and Candace up until the wedding was very pleasant and confidence inspiring. They’re clearly highly experienced professionals that are detail oriented. They’re flexible and accommodating and ensure you have everything in order prior to the event. Wedding planning can be hectic and some vendors can be flaky but the Storytellers were a constant. We were confident with them all the way through.
Thank you again Storytellers for shiningto help make our wedding day extraordinarily special. Such a blast!
A very grateful Rob and Joanna DeFina.
Samantha S
5.0
1/09/2019
The Storytellers are THE BEST!! I can’t tell you how many people came up to us during and after the wedding to tell us how awesome our band was - they killed it! Not only are they an extremely talented group of musicians, but they played such a great mix of songs that everyone was up on their feet. Sara and her team are lovely to work with! We requested a special acoustic version of an 80s song for our first dance that then transitioned into the fast version to get the party going and it was amazing! They did a great job of taking into account our must plays and don’t plays, while also throwing in songs we hadn’t marked that fit the vibe perfectly. We chose the Storytellers very early on in our planning process - they were the first and only band we saw live. We went to the Red Lion and instantly knew they were perfect. They did not disappoint ! Best decision!! And such a great value too!
Samantha S
5.0
12/18/2018
The storytellers were the highlight of our wedding night! We saw close to 15 bands as music was the most important thing to us. We saw storytellers a few times at red lion then at Long Beach and knew they were perfect for us. Not only did they sound great, and keep the party going, Sara was such a pleasure to work wigh the year and a half leading up to my wedding. We are still getting compliments on the band months after the wedding. Now I have friends wanting to book them and I’m so excited to see them again.
Amanda D
5.0
12/03/2018
We booked the Storytellers before we even solidified a date with our venue!! The Storytellers played at a family friend’s wedding a few years ago and we knew we needed them! The music and the venue were the top 2 most important things to us by far and we made the absolute best decision booking this band.
Sara and Candace were extremely accommodating with any questions that we had, scheduling any calls with us that we asked and answered all of our emails immediately.
My husband and I went on a date night into the city one night to see them play at The Red Lion and it was probably our best date night ever. We had SO much fun listening and dancing to what was going to be the band at our wedding and we were completely blown away. It was also a great opportunity to introduce ourselves in person and talk to them for a few minutes.
For our ceremony - we had both a guitarist and a saxophonist play which was so romantic and dreamy. I walked down the aisle to Etta James “At Last” - a song that I imagine is frequently used but I think the combo between the guitarist and saxophone made it super unique and was a great suggestion by Sara.
When it came to the reception - it was the party that we wanted it to be!! Every person was out on the dance floor! I have a large family and we’ve been to a lot of family weddings and I don’t think I’ve ever seen all of my aunts and uncles out on the dance floor like I did at our wedding - it was an absolute blast.
They played a great mix of songs that everyone enjoyed through the whole night - I didn’t want it to end!
Booking the Storytellers was the best decision we made in our wedding planning process!!
Stacey L
5.0
11/28/2018
Storytellers just Played my daughters wedding - they were A-MAZING. Do yourself a favor and hire them. You will not be disappointed. Easy to work with, flexible and beyond talented!!!! Love love love them!!!!
Jessica R
5.0
11/22/2018
Words cannot express how incredible this band is!!!! We were completely blown away and we are still hearing rave reviews from guests, over one month later. We first saw Storytellers perform live at a concert in Long Beach and immediately knew that we wanted to book them for our wedding the following year. Sara and Candace were warm, patient, professional, and so easy to work with throughout this process. Our multiple musician family members had many questions and requests, and the band delivered on every aspect of the evening. The singers are flawless with high energy and the instrumentalists are complete professionals. As the band has been working and playing together for many years, they are incredibly cohesive and seamless in their transitions between genres. Our dance floor was packed with people of all ages, including people I have never seen dancing at a wedding! I can't say enough good about Storytellers, we wish we could do it all over again and just watch them perform all night!!!!
Jennifer S
5.0
10/01/2018
I had booked this band without even hearing them after two of my friends told me how they were the best band ever. They said everyone told them that the band was the best part of their wedding. At my wedding, multiple people said the same to me! So many people complimented the band and everyone told me it was the wedding where they have seen the most amount of people dancing! If you want people to dance, definitely contact The Storytellers band! We had them for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception and it was the best money spent for our wedding!
Katherine P
5.0
9/24/2018
The Storytellers are absolutely incredible!! They made our whole day too amazing to even put into words. They played a great mix of songs that kept everyone dancing all night long and they learned multiple special requests for us. We even asked them to learn a song for us to dance with our 94 and 96 year-old grandmothers (depending on how they were feeling!) It ended up being one of the most special moments of the night! In addition to the entire dance floor being packed all night - they also played during cocktail hour and played all of our ceremony music. They were beyond outstanding in every aspect of the day!
Sara and Candace were an absolute dream to work with and made every step of the way easy and enjoyable. The Storytellers are so talented, so much fun, so easy to work with - people are still talking about how great our wedding band was!!! Book them now!!!
Rachel H
5.0
8/07/2018
I really can’t properly put into words how hands-down incredible the Storytellers really are. As soon as I got engaged and started doing research, I had my heart set on them - so much so - that I chose my wedding date based on their availability. To this day, almost a month later, people are still talking about how incredible the band at our wedding was and how they did not stop dancing the entire night. I remember looking around and seeing not a single person sitting down after dinner all night - so many people mentioned never seeing a dance floor that packed at any wedding they’ve been to! To top it all off, Sara was a dream to work with every step of the way, reassuring me of all my worries and being super accommodating with everything - even when my dad wanted to change something last minute with introductions. If you're like me and my husband, and want the best band for your wedding, the Storytellers are worth every penny! Having a live band was our top priority and we decided to compromise elsewhere and go all in with the Storytellers. I can't say enough good things about this band and their professionalism, sound, crew, and musicians. It was the perfect night thanks to them! We absolutely LOVE you guys!!!
Katie H
5.0
6/04/2018
The Storytellers were absolutely epic at our wedding last month. Sara was such a pleasure to work with and made the process so easy. She was kind enough to make some last minute changes for us and everything was so organized which was very much appreciated! We're still getting compliments about how fun the wedding was and how fast the night went thanks to the Storytellers. They read the room and atmosphere so well, keeping the dance floor packed and the energy up at all the right moments. Don't second guess or look any further...book them!! You won't regret it :D
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The Storytellers Band
Candace DeBartolo
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