Give Your Wedding a Caribbean Feel with a Steel Drum Band

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No time or money for a tropical destination wedding? When coconuts, palm trees, and umbrella drinks are in short supply, Pan Loco Steel Band comes to the rescue by spicing up your big day with the smooth rhythms and melodies of the Caribbean. Consider this an island celebration, minus the airfare.

Whether you’re exchanging vows on a local beach or you want to interject an island vibe to your city celebration, having a steel drum band at your wedding adds a unique twist to traditional wedding tunes.

Formed in 1991 by Bob Lucas and Justin Petty (University of New Hampshire and Berklee College of Music grads, respectively), Pan Loco has played at over 1,000 weddings, private events, and concerts in New England.

This ensemble consists of two steel drummers, an electric bass player, and a percussionist. They can hit all of your traditional island favorites, including “Yellow Bird” and “Island In the Sun.” But if you’re looking for a wider range, they can also transcribe any of your wedding favorites for the steel drum. No mission is impossible—in fact, they even repurposed the theme from Mission Impossible for a recent wedding.

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While some couples hire Pan Loco for the entire celebration, you could choose them for any part of the wedding—from the ceremony (yes, they can do “Here Comes the Bride” and Pachelbel’s Canon) to cocktail hour to the reception dance-a-thon (perhaps “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and a daddy-daughter dance for “What a Wonderful World”).

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