The Knot Best of Weddings Reviews: 2021 Wrap

We love being a part of The Knot community, so to start off the New Year of 2022, we would like to express our appreciation for our amazing couples, clients, and fellow vendors who got us through 2021.

We were able to be a part of some incredible events and create amazing memories. The enthusiasm from both vendors and clients helps continue doing what we love doing, and helps boost us into The Knot Hall of Fame (!!) We feel incredibly lucky to kick off the New Year with a pep in our step and hope for many love stories ahead! With that spirit, we’d like to share some of our favorite reviews from the past year.

This band was hands down the best band I have ever heard at a wedding and I have been to many weddings. From day one of talking to them, I knew they were going to be a show. And, they were! Our guests are still talking about how much fun they had. The dance floor was full all night and that’s exactly what we wanted!

Jamie J.
December 2021

OMG is what I want to say about this band. From start of looking to hire them to finish with them singing at the wedding was an amazing experience. They couldn’t have been more helpful. We hired the 8 piece band because you can choose different options. Had a female and male singer which we love and the were amazing singers and musicians and so much fun. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Jill R.
December 2021

The Nola Dukes are the best in the business. I heard them play at a friend’s wedding in 2018, and I knew I would hire them for my wedding when one of those wifes. So I spent the next year finding someone that I could marry so that I could hire the Dukes. I found my lovely (now) wife and started planning our wedding in 2020, pre-covid. I had to push my wedding reception back year, so it was more of 1-year anniversary throwdown. The Dukes were extremely professional throughout COVID, and made the days leading up to our reception (2 weeks before Delta shutdown in nola) so easy. Literally, I think everyone I talked to at the wedding and after has complimented the band. Almost every out-of-town guest was completely taken aback by how talented (they really do sound awesome) and fun (they bring the energy) The Dukes were. Many out-of-town couples (and even parents with daughters about to get engaged) said they want the Dukes at their weddings, and would actually consider doing a destination wedding in NOLA in order to book them (could be the alcohol talking but they were being serious). What really sticks for me, as a Louisianian/NOLA guy, is that my family/friends – all locals – said The Dukes were absolutely amazing and they want to hire them for upcoming stuff. If you’re from here, you know that great party bands are everywhere and it’s hard for them to impress a local. This band will get everyone dancing and keep them dancing all night.

Patrick O.
August 2021

My daughter (the bride) heard Nola Dukes Band at another wedding last fall. She said they were awesome and the dance floor was packed the entire night. When she became engaged , there was no question as to who she wanted at her wedding. I can not say enough good things about this band. They are professionals and so you are going to have to pay them as such….but well worth the money spent!!!! They were extremely helpful leading up to the wedding in the planning, They give you a choice of the number in the band. We went with 7 people. Our producer responded immediately with any questions I had. As for the performance….the live singing and music was incredible. They sounded amazing! They were highly skilled and worth every penny!!!!!! Old and young alike were on the dance floor the entire evening. I had many people ask me who the band was and where they were from. People continually commented that they had never seen that many people dance at a wedding before. You could not help but dance to the music….they were that good. On the wedding day, we are all there for the ceremony…but that is only about 30 minutes of the evening. We wanted to make sure that we had a GREAT party after the ceremony to celebrate. Nola Dukes Band did not disappoint!!! They were fantastic! It is a great feeling when your guests call you afterward and say….that is the most fun they have ever had at a wedding. I can wholeheartedly recommend them for any party!

Mary K.
June 2021

My wife and I decided early on we wanted live music for our wedding, originally scheduled for September of 2020. We booked Nola Dukes early-on, before the pandemic really took hold in the US. Our original agreement was for a 7-piece reception band, a ceremony harpist, and a second-line through the French quarter. Fast forward to 2021, and my wife and I had rescheduled the wedding for April. Nola Dukes easily adjusted their schedule and timeline to meet our needs, and worked within the restrictions of the city of New Orleans to provide as much of their services as possible. Leading up to the wedding, we had a backup DJ in place given the city of New Orleans wasn’t allowing live music. In a divine turn of events, the mayor allowed live music indoors 3 weeks before our wedding. My wife and I decided to pivot away from the DJ and keep Nola Dukes booked for our reception, assuming the risk that a rise in cases could sweep the rug out from under us. Ultimately we did host the 7-piece band, the harpist, and ended our night with second-line music as a replacement for having the actual parade. Boy, did we luck out. Nola Dukes absolutely owned the stage, and had our reception rocking well into the night. One of my groomsman stated, “I’ve danced more at your wedding the last hour than I did at my own entire wedding.” How’s that for a ringing endorsement?

Jared L.
May 2021