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About

On WeddingWire since 2009

Standing Room Only Orchestra is a Chicago, Illinois-based wedding band that prides itself on being a superb musical entertainment group. Couples can choose amongst a ten-piece orchestra, nine-piece performance orchestra, seven or six-piece band depending on the type of wedding music they wish to have. For even more fun, couples can choose to have their dinner hours filled with the jazz trio, quartet or string quartet for some beautiful melodies to set the tone. The Standing Room Only Orchestra is here to accommodate all of your wedding needs!

Services Offered
Standing Room Only Orchestra can provide a wide variety of event services. These services can include the following:

  • Music during wedding ceremony, cocktail hour and reception
  • Instrumentals
  • Liability insurance
  • Music during breaks
  • Sample music
  • Vocals
  • Willing to travel
  • Lighting
  • Microphones
  • Sound/PA system


Other Services
Standing Room Only Orchestra can play songs from the following music genres:

  • Acoustic
  • Big band
  • Classic rock
  • Country
  • Dance
  • Funk
  • Hip hop
  • Jazz
  • Motown
  • Pop
  • R&B/soul
  • Rock
  • Swing
  • Top 40
  • Woman-owned

Frequently asked questions

What is the average price for a wedding reception during peak season?

Embossed

What is the average price for a wedding reception during off-peak season?

Engraving

Which of the following are included in the price?

Learning New Songs
Lighting
MC
Music During Breaks
Reception Music
Sound/PA System

What is the price of your popular wedding package?

$6,500

Which of the following are included in the package?

Learning New Songs
Lighting
MC
Reception Music
Sound/PA System

Are you an agency or a band?

Band

How many musicians are in your band(s)?

7+

What genres of music does (do) your band(s) play?

Acoustic
Big Band
Classic Rock
Country
Dance
Funk
Hip Hop
Jazz
Motown
Pop
R&B / Soul
Rock
Swing

What music services do you provide?

Instrumentals
Ceremony Music
Cocktail Hour Music
Reception Music
Music During Breaks
Sample Performances
Vocals
Liability Insurance
Willing to Travel

What items are available?

Lighting
Microphones
Sound/PA System
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Reviews of Standing Room Only Orchestra

4.9 out of 5 rating
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2024 Winner
4.9 out of 5 rating
92 Reviews
99% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.9 out of 5 rating
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

Powered by AI

Standing Room Only is an outstanding wedding band that received glowing reviews from multiple reviewers. The band was praised for their energy, talent, and ability to keep the dance floor full all night. The band's leader, Kara, was also highly commended for her professionalism and helpfulness throughout the planning process. Overall, guests were extremely satisfied with their experience and highly recommended Standing Room Only for weddings and other events.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Standing Room Only is an outstanding wedding band that received glowing reviews from multiple reviewers. The band was praised for their energy, talent, and ability to keep the dance floor full all night. The band's leader, Kara, was also highly commended for her professionalism and helpfulness throughout the planning process. Overall, guests were extremely satisfied with their experience and highly recommended Standing Room Only for weddings and other events.

Mandy
Mandy L. Sent on 10/27/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Epic party!

We could not possibly recommend Kara and Standing Room Only more! From planning across the country and in a pandemic, they put us at ease and were so accommodating to our music selections. We had very specific asks and there was nothing they couldn't play. The music was BEYOND our expectations! Our guests danced all night long. Standing Room Only truly turned our wedding into an EPIC party that our friends and family are still raving about!
J
Jennifer K. Sent on 04/26/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Wedding April 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 how good the band was. Look no further—SRO is wickedly talented, professional, and an absolute must to have at your wedding.
J
Jane K. Sent on 04/09/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Best day ever!

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!
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Awards

92
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2024 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2012 Winner

Deals

Team

Kara Kesselring
Kara Kesselring
SRO Bandleader/Sales/Keyboards/Vocals/Emcee

Kara Kesselring is a professional singer, pianist, writer, arranger, and educator living in Chicago.

A native of Iowa, Kara graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in vocal performance and film & television production. She has been involved in Chicago’s vibrant music scene for 20 years.

She has been the keyboardist/vocalist in Standing Room Only for 20 years and looks forward to providing the highest quality of music with her SRO musician family for years to come.

In addition to Standing Room Only Orchestra, Kara performs in the vibrant Chicago theater and Broadway scene.

Professional Network & Endorsements

3 Endorsements
LACOUR images LACOUR images Wedding Photographers

Top musicians for a fun party. They'll keep the dance floor packed. High energy good times!

Kramford Videography Kramford Videography Wedding Videographers

Awesome wedding musicians! Played currant music and kept the dance floor packed all night which made for awesome videography!

Jason Kaczorowski Photography Jason Kaczorowski Photography Wedding Photographers

Nobody rocks harder and is yet more professional than the Standing Room Only Orchestra!

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