Standing Room Only Orchestra Reviews
Reviews
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Awards
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Featured
![Mandy]()
Mandy Sent on 10/27/2021Epic 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! -
![Antony]()
Antony Sent on 06/01/2026SRO 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 for making our special day a party! -
![Taylor]()
Taylor Sent on 05/25/2026Book sro!
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 commitments.
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!!
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![Brian]()
Brian Sent on 05/11/2026Sro is amazing
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! -
![Amanda]()
Amanda Sent on 05/04/2026The absolute best entertainment!
SRO performed at a family members wedding several years ago, and again for ours. Both times the dance floor never empty. They were so amazing to work with and our guests could not stop talking about how great they were. Absolutely amazing night because of them! -
![Michaela]()
Michaela Sent on 12/15/2025The Perfect Wedding Soundtrack!
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.
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![Lindsay]()
Lindsay Sent on 11/08/202510000000% recommend!!!
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 professionalism 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!Standing Room Only Orchestra's reply:
Thank you for the fantastic review, Lindsay! Your wedding was OFF THE CHARTS! We were so honored to be part of your special day. I hope we see you on the dance floor at the next fun event!-Kara & SRO -
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![BBC]()
Bbc Sent on 10/16/2025Highly recommend this band - they were awesome
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.Standing Room Only Orchestra's reply:
Best night ever! Thank you for trusting Standing Room Only for your music needs! We hope to see you on the dance floor at the next fun event! -
![Thomas]()
Thomas Sent on 08/25/2025Wedding Band
SRO gave a knockout performance at our wedding in Milwaukee. The brought great energy, engaged with the crowd, and had the dance floor packed. 10/10. -
![Nicole]()
Nicole Sent on 08/15/2025Best Choice for a Wedding!
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 day, 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! -
![Robin]()
Robin Sent on 07/24/2025Versatile, talented and So Much Fun
I loved that SRO always responded to my questions timely. Kara is an amazing manager! Standing Room Only is super versatile. My daughter and her fiancee wanted a band and a DJ. SRO was easily able to accommodate. Then, at the last minute, my daughter wanted to add in a jazz trio for cocktail hour. Again. SRO was flexible and accommodating and easily met that need as well. The saxophonist even led the couple in for their first dance. I had other wedding guests raving to me that they were going to steal that idea for their weddings. We had an incredible time with SRO, and can't recommend them highly enough. Thank you for making the reception so amazing! -
![Riley]()
Riley Sent on 06/25/2025Standing Room Only was amazing!
Standing Room Only was hands down one of the best parts of our wedding day! They drove all the way from Chicago to Des Moines & absolutely blew us & our guests away. So professional, easy to work with, & just an incredible vibe all night long. They listened to all our requests & visions, & made it happen. We truly got the most compliments about them, everyone was raving! Their setlist was the perfect mix of classics & current hits, & the saxophone was my favorite. Highly recommend Standing Room Only. They made the night unforgettable! -
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![Steve]()
Steve Sent on 05/19/2025Must Have Wedding Band!
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 way 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.Standing Room Only Orchestra's reply:
The best night ever! Thanks so much for having us! From the coolest venue in Milwaukee (Factory on Barclay) to the beautiful ceremony, dinner, and dance party your even was top notch. I think Pink Pony Club was the highlight of the dance party! Beautiful couple! -
![Harry]()
Harry Sent on 03/26/2025SRO was the highlight of my wedding reception!
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!Standing Room Only Orchestra's reply:
Thank you Harry! You and Courtney were a dream to work with and your party was epic! I hope we have a chance to see you on the dance floor at future events. Kara -
![Kelly]()
Kelly Sent on 11/05/2024Best night!
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 night, 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.
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![Anastasia]()
Anastasia Sent on 11/01/2024Best Wedding Band Around
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 amazing 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! -
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![Lija]()
Lija Sent on 10/13/2024We had the time of our lives with sro.
Look no further for your wedding band! You can't do better than Standing Room Only (SRO). As we planned our wedding, our #1 goal was for our friends and family to loosen up and have 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, at the last minute, the band invited Mike (the groom) to perform 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. Elderly guests noted that the music wasn’t too loud once you left the dance floor. It was sound-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.
Standing Room Only Orchestra's reply:
Your party was epically awesome! A true highlight. And the accordion music…so fun! See you on the dance floor at the next party or event. -
![Molly]()
Molly Sent on 09/26/2024SRO Stands Out!
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 evening 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! -
Chelsea Sent on 07/22/2024
Best Wedding band in Chicago!
Standing Room Only far exceeded our exceptions! 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! -
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![Emily]()
Emily Sent on 06/24/2024So much fun!
SRO was so much fun for our wedding and they were able to to meet all of our needs and all of our requests! Everyone was dancing and having fun the entire time!Standing Room Only Orchestra's reply:
Thank you Emily! Your wedding was truly a highlight! See you on the dance floor soon. Kara & Standing Room Only Orchestra -
![Jackie]()
Jackie Sent on 04/08/2024SRO - The Best Of The Best
SRO is the BEST of the BEST! Truly can't speak highly enough of the entire experience start to finish! Working with Kara was an organized, easy, enjoyable, seamless experience throughout. I've never seen a dance floor more packed the entire time in my life. They kept everyone on their feet and made the experience so memorable for all! Would highly recommend SRO to anyone looking for a live band! -
![Paula]()
Paula Sent on 09/29/2023Best night ever!
This band knows how to keep the dance floor full all night! Our guests are still talking about Standing Room Only! Kara was a joy to work with and her band was outstanding! Truly the highlight of the reception! -
Michael Sent on 07/06/2023
SRO was fantastic!
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 together 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. -
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![Gregory]()
Gregory Sent on 10/03/2022Great Band
We hired SRO for our daughter’s wedding three weeks ago and are very happy we did! We had music all night long! They played during cocktail hour and during dinner! All wonderful! They helped keep the evening going all night at a great pace! There was a great variety of different music! They were very easy to work with! They learned a Beach Boys song! We had a ten piece orchestra and they totally rocked the dance floor all night long! Our guests danced all night long! We received so many complements on this band! If you want an exciting, fun, and dancing all night long this is the band to have!! This band is wonderful! Hire them! -
Green Sent on 08/02/2022
Talented & fun musicians who are a delight to work with
Our organization hired the Standing Room Only Orchestra for an event, and we couldn't be happier to have done so! All of our interactions were extremely professional, and the band members could not have been more polite and helpful. They knew the perfect mix of music to keep people on the dance floor, and they were really talented musicians, as well. Fun was had by all, and we will definitely hire them to play for our next big event! -
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![Shawn]()
Shawn Sent on 01/12/2022The best choice for wedding entertainment
We chose Standing Room Only Orchestra to perform at our wedding and from the first conversation with Kara I knew we made the best choice. So easy to work with, professional, responsive and reliable, the whole process was smooth and worry free. SRO provided live ceremony music, live cocktail hour music as well as the full reception. The versatility and range of services was perfect and the expertise in working with us to understand and complete our vision was outstanding. The performance was second to none, the dance floor was packed the entire night, they brought great energy and the guests couldn't stop raving about them! I can't express enough how much a fantastic live band adds to the entire experience and SRO is a perfect 10. -
Keaton Sent on 10/10/2019
Best wedding band ever!!!
Simply put! They are the best band you could have for your wedding! They were the talk of the reception. Everyone loved them and couldn't get enough of them. The dance floor was filled the whole night!! -
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![Glen]()
Glen Sent on 10/09/2019Standing Room Only does great with 50th anniversary
We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in June at our beautiful farm in SE Iowa. Standing Room Only entertained for our celebration . Our guests absolutely loved them and danced all evening. We highly recommend Standing Room Only. -
![Nicolette]()
Nicolette Sent on 07/25/2019AMAZING! 10/10 recommend
We booked SRO for our wedding reception and HOLY COW were they amazing! And I know we weren't just being biased because even now we still have wedding guests telling us how much they loved our reception band and how amazing the music was. The whole band was exceptionally talented, professional and organized. 10/10 would recommend booking them for your wedding / event!!! -
![Melissa]()
Melissa Sent on 06/18/2019Such a great experience!
My Dad insisted I work with my sister’s band from a decade ago! I however wasn’t so sure... it’s been a decade and did I really want my sister’s wedding band to play?! Heck yes I did! Working with Kara and the rest of standing room only was in the end one of my most confident decisions I made for my wedding day. Kara was there for me in the process and her and I worked on an extra special project for my groom. Thank you Standing Room Only for making my wedding day So Much FUN! You guys blew all of my guests out of the water that they keep talking about the night weeks later! They were such a pleasure to have we loved every moment! -
![Marty]()
Marty Sent on 06/17/2019Exaclty What We Wanted, Endless Compliments
SRO was an absolute treat, and the perfect enhancement for our wedding. They took our music likes and dislikes and formed a program for the night that was exactly what we wanted, even though it may not have been "the usual requests." Their rendition of "Shout" was SPOT ON. And they knew exactly when to keep the energetic beats going, and when it was time to give everyone a breather with a slow song. And Kara was a perfect emcee for the evening: she kept the speeches and pace quick at the beginning, then made sure everyone had a good time the rest of the night. I would happily recommend them to anyone who wants a live band for their special day. -
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