The Chris Sarlas Orchestra

Reviews for The Chris Sarlas Orchestra

The best part about working with Chris is his incredible respect and patience for the customer.

5-Star Review!8.7.11 from yelp.com

We used them for our wedding three weeks ago.





Tons of guests came up to us during the wedding to tell us how much they loved this band - and we are still hearing it today. What sets them apart is Chris. He is no hack-job cover-band leader. He has a strong formal education in music, tons of experience and is a true lover of music. Yes, the songs are covers, but he has a very talented band and he makes sure they perform each song as though it had been written for them. Believe me, I have seen my share of cheesy wedding bands. Adam Sandler is not showing up with these guys :) they know how to work a crowd and make it a fun night.





We also used their strings, Artistrings, for the ceremony and it was beautiful. What can I say? A great string trio for a garden wedding. You can't go wrong with that.





For the reception we used the seven piece band, based on Chris' recommendation. He gave us a great price. I'm with "mike w." Don't waste your money on things guests won't remember (party favors, chair covers, (as he mentioned) over-done centerpieces, whatever...) Spend the money on the things people remember - Food, venue, bar and music. And for goodness sake, don't get a DJ!





The best part about working with Chris, though, is his incredible respect and patience for the customer. Weddings can bring out the worst in you, unfortunately. As the wedding got closer and I became more and more nervous, Chris let me know over and over that I was in good hands and I could count on him for anything I needed. He gave much more of himself than you would expect from a band leader - he kept me sane. We are so grateful.

Melissa B, Chicago, IL

You will not be disappointed.

5-Star Review!8.5.11 from yelp.com

The top 5 live performances:




1.  Bruce Springsteen & East Street Band

 2.  Aerosmith

 3.  The Chris Sarlas Orchestra

 4.  The Eagles

 5.  Ohio State Marching Band





Yeah, they're that good!





Don't waste your money for a wedding by upgrading to fancy chairs like we did....once they start rocking it out, no one will be in them.  Take the money you save on chairs and add extra time with the orchestra at the end of the night.





You will not be disappointed.





Chris takes control of the evening to make sure everything keeps moving.  More time to spend with your guests.





Mike W, Father of the Bride, Vernon Hills, IL

We still have people from our wedding saying how great the band was and how much fun they had.

5-Star Review!8.2.11 from yelp.com

The Chris Sarlas Orchestra was AMAZING! My husband and I had the best time at our wedding! Chris was so easy going and really great to work with! We still have people from our wedding saying how great the band was and how much fun they had. They played a variety of music that everyone loved and danced to the whole night! Chris and the orchestra made it the perfect evening!





They also played the trumpet and violin at the wedding ceremony and it was absolutely beautiful!





Erin W.; Evanston, IL

The man is a perfectionist and ultimately made our wedding a most memorable evening.

5-Star Review!7.29.11 from yelp.com

We, as well as our guests, were blown away by the performances both the Chris Sarlas Orchestra and Artistrings gave during our wedding. Chris is a phenomenal person to work with and will spend all the time needed to customize your special day.





For example, we had Artistrings provide an affordable and talented string trio for our ceremony. Following the ceremony, we had a pianist provide music for our guests during a cocktail hour. During our meal, Chris organized a jazz ensemble and post-dinner kicked off an awesome performance by the band.





All of the details were flawlessly executed,  they learned a very special song for our first dance and Chris did an outstanding job announcing key events and getting every name pronounced correctly. The man is a perfectionist and ultimately made our wedding a most memorable evening.





I would hire them again and again. We were upfront about our budget and Chris worked within it very well. He made himself available during the weeknights when we were able to talk and provided a great template for the order of events. It was the most enjoyable part of planning our big day. Just call/email him and go from there. It is a year later and I am still being asked, "who did the music? What was the name of the band?"  They are simply amazing!!






Julie K.; Chicago, IL

He was sensational. We would recommend The Chris Sarlas Orchestra in a heartbeat.

5-Star Review!7.29.11 from yelp.com

The Chris Sarlas Orchestra played at our June 2011 wedding. The band was amazing and we continue to get compliments and rave reviews about the performance from our guests. If we could give more than 5 stars we would. We worked with many vendors during the planning process, but none were like Chris Sarlas. Chris was reliable, responsive, honest, very professional and really wanted the best for us. Chris went above and beyond to make our wedding celebration a great success, and it really showed. The final product was fantastic.





Chris combined our unique music styles and song selections to create wonderful sets. Our guests were on the dance floor enjoying the party. Chris was also able to accommodate our unique request to have another ethnic band playing at the reception. Chris graciously shared his equipment and sound system. He really went out of his way to create and coordinate a schedule that worked for both bands, our guests, and most importantly us. Chris did all this while filling the role of master of ceremonies as well. He was sensational. We would recommend The Chris Sarlas Orchestra in a heartbeat. Chris, the singers, and band are extremely talented and you will be thrilled with this selection...we know we were, Chris and Jenny.






Jenny C.; Chicago, IL

The musicians were superb and the vocalists just fantastic.

5-Star Review!5.21.11 from yelp.com

They played at my daughters wedding with 260 guests. Weeks later every one is still talking about the band. Great music, great musicians, very responsive and considerate. Every one danced all night and had a great time. The musicians were superb and the vocalists just fantastic. Every member of the band was extremely professional including the sound technicians. Having music in my background made this even more of a wonderful experience. I highly recommend Sarlas Orchestras.




Frankie C. - Father of the Bride; Chicago, IL

We had a very young, energetic crowd and I don't think the band let them stop for a minute.

5-Star Review!2.13.11 from yelp.com

My husband and I really cannot think of one negative thing to say about the Chris Sarlas Orchestra.  They were very professional throughout the entire process and were very easy to get ahold of and work with.  Chris knows how stressful wedding planning can be and from our initial meeting was very down to earth and not pushy one bit.  We had met with other bands that were the complete opposite.  One band gave us a 20 minute spiel then stepped out of the room and expected us to make our decision on the spot.  Chris was not like that at all!  He presented the facts and then gave us plenty of time to decide what was right for us.





The whole planning process was very smooth.  I tend to be a perfectionist and freak out about everything.  Chris was there to calm me down and let me know everything would be okay.  We obviously have not done this before having never been married but this is what Chris does as a business. He knows the timing of everything down to a 't'.  That was quite a relief.  We told him the songs we wanted and didn't want to hear and he did the rest!





As for pricing Chris Sarlas Orchestra was very reasonable compared to other bands we checked out.  I believe they had some packages or ideas of what people normally do but he completely tweaked everything to meet our needs.  We ended up having a 3 piece ensemble playing during dinner and since we didn't need them for the full time due to speeches and a video montage, he threw in another female vocalist instead.  Very reasonable and willing to compromise.  That is all I can say.





On to the wedding.  Our guests and my husband and I were blown away!  We still catch people talking about the band to this day and I know we will continue to for years to come.  We could not have asked for a better band.  We had a very young, energetic crowd and I don't think the band let them stop for a minute (Check out the videos on his website from the Knickerbocker hotel 8/29/09)  It was a blast and I will definitely be referring the Chris Sarlas Orchestra to all my friends and hope to hear them play again in the near future.  Thanks again...sorry this review is a year and a half late Chris!




Melissa H.; Chicago, IL

…the music was just unbelievable. Our dance floor was packed the entire night.

5-Star Review!11.9.10 from yelp.com

All I can say is WOW! We booked Chris Sarlas after hearing him at a friend's wedding. Our wedding was a bit smaller than theirs so we were hopeful the band would translate well to a smaller group. Boy did it ever. Chris himself is wonderful to work with throughout wedding planning. He is very responsive, professional, and just pleasant. The day of the wedding he was the perfect MC and really had things running smoothly. But the music was just unbelievable. Our dance floor was packed the entire night. Several guests commented that it was the best wedding band they have ever heard and could not believe the talent of the singers and musicians. They truly made our wedding memorable and special. I am so grateful that we had them for our wedding celebration!

Katie G, Chicago, IL

Thank you Chris Sarlas for making my daughter's wedding an exceptional event!

5-Star Review!10.27.10 from yelp.com

My daughter got married this past weekend and we used the Chris Sarlas Orchestra. We were blown away by their music. I have been receiving phone calls since the wedding asking for the name of the band and telling me that they have never heard such a fantastic orchestra. I would have to personally agree. Everyone danced and sang along and just really enjoyed them. I have always said that there are 2 things people remember about weddings and that is the food and the music. Thankfully, we succeeded on both counts. Thank you Chris Sarlas for making my daughter's wedding an exceptional event!

Pat M, Chicago, IL

Everyone is still buzzing about the band!

5-Star Review!10.15.10 from yelp.com

Wow. Chris Sarlas and his band did an amazing job at our wedding on Oct. 9, 2010. Everyone is still buzzing about the band. We knew they were good when we hired them and they did not disappoint. Chris was great and is a true pro. He's always in control and takes charge of the evening. Opal was amazing as was the rest of the singers and band. Voula provided the greek singing and the band moved between american and greek music efficiently. If you want a great band for your wedding, talk to Chris. They are worth it!

Dan T, Chicago, IL

Chris Sarlas made our wedding night!

5-Star Review!9.27.10 from yelp.com

I found Chris Sarlas while searching for wedding bands online. His web site is really great (and accurate) because it shows live clips of the band in action. Chris Sarlas made our wedding night. The band was amazing, fun, versatile and on point. Chris is a standout as the band leader. Throughout the wedding planning process he was thorough and diligent--he checked in with us frequently to ensure we were all on the same page. He also put together a wedding timeline and made us feel like we were working with someone who was in control-a smooth operator. Chris also worked with us to ensure the band got our wedding song just right...he just made us feel calm and organized during a very hectic time. Opal, one of the lead singers, worked the crowd and really drew our friends and family in. I have high standards and tend to be critical and I would recommend this band for any event. They are the best!

Sharon N, Chicago, IL

There was no way that I would get married without them… You would be crazy not to hire them

5-Star Review!9.20.10 from yelp.com

I have enjoyed The Chris Sarlas Orchestra as a guest at half a dozen weddings and I never tire of them. There was no way that I would get married without them… they made my wedding an event that I will never forget. You would be crazy not to hire them.

Paul V, Chicago, IL

Chris and the band LITERALLY had everyone on the dancefloor

5-Star Review!9.20.10 from yelp.com

Our wedding was even more incredible than we had imagined it could be and we owe that in large part to the Chris Sarlas Orchestra. Chris and the band LITERALLY had everyone on the dancefloor in a matter of one song and the floor was packed until after the band had finished for the evening.

Chris was incredibly helpful, accommodating and patient in the planning process. He was able to work directly with our venue and made it so that we didn't have to worry about a thing. He also provided the music for our ceremony and cocktail hour. All of it was wonderful.

Alison H, Chicago, IL

Without a doubt, they made the party!

5-Star Review!9.5.10 from Weddingwire

Can't say enough about our wonderful experience with Chris Sarlas and his band! Without a doubt, they made the party! He provided guidance, expertise, and professionalism throughout the entire process leading up to the wedding and until the last guest left. He's the BEST! Easy to work with!

Julie Nof (mother of the bride)

Everyone in the band was so full of energy and truly seemed happy to be there to celebrate with us

5-Star Review!8.12.10 from yelp.com

To say that the Chris Sarlas Orchestra was absolutely amazing is an understatement! We all had the BEST time and having them there played a huge part in that. Our wedding reception was held at Evanston Golf Club on August 8, 2010 in Skokie, IL. Everyone in the band was so full of energy and truly seemed happy to be there to celebrate with us. I'm pretty sure that they had every single person on the dance floor! The song choices were fantastic and after going over the evening with everyone, the band was definitely the highlight!! I can not thank them enough for the wonderful energy they brought to our day and for being so amazing to work with. From the moment I met with Chris, I knew that the music was going to be very special, and they certainly did deliver!! I can not say enough about the Chris Sarlas Orchestra. It was an absolute pleasure working with them. Look no further for your wedding entertainment… they were truly unbelievable!

Monica M, Nashville, TN

…there aren't enough words to express how talented they are

5-Star Review!7.8.10 from yelp.com

The Chris Sarlas Orchestra made my son's wedding at the InterContinental special. They worked miracles. Like the true professionals that they are, they handled our delays beautifully and Chris calmly kept us all aware of any upcoming toasts, etc. Chris and his band were completely tuned in to the rhythm of the guests during the reception, and selected music that had the dance floor packed for hours and hours and hours. Everything with which they dealt was perfect: the vocalists - there aren't enough words to express how talented they are, Carol and the strings - they enchanted us throughout the entire wedding ceremony, and the harpist during the rehearsal dinner - she captured the true essence of the Art Institute of Chicago function.

I've always said that the band makes the party, and Chris and his band made our party!

I highly recommend them.

Enid L, Pointe Vedra Beach, FL

All the songs were executed beautifully and we had a full dance floor all night

5-Star Review!2.22.10 from yelp.com

The Chris Sarlas Orchestra's performance at our wedding reception was absolutely amazing. They were very easy to work with prior to the wedding, responding to both phone calls and emails promptly. Their contract was clear and effortless and they surpassed expectations. All the songs were executed beautifully and we had a full dance floor all night. They worked in very smooth transitions of Greek and American music, and I was very happy at their ability to perform both. We actually booked them before our reception location because it was that important for us to have them perform at our wedding (we have been to other weddings where they were the Orchestra). Overall, I would absolutely recommend them and we still (months later) get complements of how great they were!

Rachel H, Chicago, IL

Throughout the whole planning process he was quick to respond to my emails and very easy to work with

5-Star Review!2.19.10 from yelp.com

Chris Sarlas was one of my favorite wedding vendors. Throughout the whole planning process he was quick to respond to my emails and very easy to work with. Chris provided a piano and saxophone during cocktail hour, a jazz quartet during dinner and a 10 piece orchestra for dancing. Chris served as the emcee for events that occurred throughout the evening. At the reception the orchestra sounded fantastic and there were people dancing and having a great time until the reception ended at midnight. Weeks after the wedding we continued to receive compliments from our guests regarding the band and how wonderful they performed. We definitely recommend the Chris Sarlas Orchestra to any couples looking for a band to make their wedding reception memorable!

Maggie L, Chicago, IL

We had The Chris Sarlas Orchestra plan and execute our ceremony music, cocktail reception music and reception music.

5-Star Review!2.19.10 from yelp.com

I was married at the planetarium in August of 2009. I booked the best of the best in all areas as recommended by many people. Everything was amazing, but my husband and I both agree, that the talent of our band was by far the best part. We had The Chris Sarlas Orchestra plan and execute our ceremony music, cocktail reception music and reception music.

The Chris Sarlas Orchestra was not only a great help during planning, but when the day came, they were perfect. They far exceeded our expectations and all of our guests still rave how amazing the music was from ceremony until the last dance. They got everyone onto the dance floor with ease and made sure all the right moments - from my walk down the aisle, to our first dance and beyond - were timed right.

We met personally with Chris to plan the evening. He gave us great advice from his vast experience which was exactly what we needed. He answered our questions (which we had a lot) quickly and effectively. He even helped us with other aspects of our wedding if/when we had questions and gave us sound advice.

I highly recommend the Chris Sarlas Orchestra for all and any of your needs. They made it the best time of our lives and hope to share an event with them again soon.

Lauren A, Chicago, IL

I cannot recommend Chris Sarlas Orchestra enough!

5-Star Review!2.10.10 from yelp.com

He performed at our wedding at the University Club of Chicago last June and was absolutely spectacular! We contacted and interviewed a number of different bands, but it quickly became evident that Chris was exactly what we were looking for. His band has an energy that is second to none and he was a delight to work with. He accommodated all of our specific song and other requests and was always professional and responsive to us, which was particularly appreciated given that we were planning the wedding from New York City. The dance floor was packed the entire night with all our favorite tunes, and our family and friends are still raving about what a spectacular time they had at our wedding. Choosing the right band is one othe most important decisions you have to make in planning a wedding and I guarantee that Chris Sarlas is the right decision.

Kristin P, New York, NY

The Chris Sarlas Orchestra is THE BEST band for weddings and events in Chicago!

5-Star Review!2.10.10 from yelp.com

My wife and I found Chris by accident because we were looking for a wedding band that could accommodate a Greek (me) and Irish (my wife) crowd. After searching the internet, we came across Chris' website and we immediately contacted him. We were living in Washington, DC at the time and we were preparing to move to Chicago, so Chris mailed us a fantastic press kit with setlists, DVDs of the band, and package rates. After going through all of the information, my wife and I hired Chris on the spot.

During the entire planning process, Chris was very professional from the first phone conversation to the day of our wedding. After you meet with him, he works directly with the venue/reception site so that you do not get bogged down and you can move on to dealing with the rest of your wedding details. He tailored the setlist to what music we wanted to hear and he was a master at mixing in just enough Greek music to satisfy my side of the family while not alienating my wife's side. Most importantly, he worked with us (and our budget) to maximize the band's time on stage so that the party would never lose steam.

Since our wedding, my wife and I have been recommending The Chris Sarlas Orchestra to all of our engaged friends and family and one of the couples who attended our wedding have already hired him for their special day. Hire this band. You will not regret it.

Peter F, Chicago, IL

What a great way to start a marriage - with a celebration filled with joy and dancing!

5-Star Review!1.10.10 from yelp.com

My husband and I were so lucky to have such an amazing band at our wedding. The Chris Sarlas Orchestra exceeded all of our expectations and set the tone for a fantastic evening.

We had a Greek/Jewish wedding, and the band accommodated all of our requests. The dance floor was packed during all the ethnic dancing as well as during the more traditional dance sets. Countless guests mentioned that our wedding was a lot of fun, and they ALL loved the band. What a great way to start a marriage - with a celebration filled with joy and dancing!

Also, working with Chris was so easy. He returned our calls promptly and was incredibly professional during planning and at the wedding. We were so lucky to hire this band for our special day.

Johanna A, Arlington Heights, IL

From the very first phone call to Chris Sarlas, we knew this was the band to hire for our wedding

5-Star Review!2.2.10 from Google

We were so lucky to have this amazing Chicago wedding band for our wedding! From the very first phone call to Chris Sarlas, we knew this was the band to hire for our wedding. He was very personable and so easy to talk to. And their music is just spectacular! That's what it's all about! We wanted a band who would get all of our guests (ranging in age from 5 to 85) on the dance floor and having a great time. On the day of our wedding, they completely exceeded our expectations! When it came time to dance, the floor was packed all night long. So many of our guests told us that the Chris Sarlas Orchestra was the best wedding band they had ever heard. If you're looking for live music, this is the place to call. You'll be very happy!‎

Alicia

I could not have asked for a better performance. So if you are looking for a band to play at that special occasion, look no further. This is it.

5-Star Review!11.5.09 from yelp.com

My husband and I found Chris because he was recommended by the Al Sofia Band, which he used to be a member of in the past. We needed to find a band for our wedding, which we were planning remotely. After checking out the website and the videos, we absolutely wanted to book them so we had my dad meet with Chris. After receiving the big thumbs up from my dad (who was paying) we booked them, as well as Artistrings to play during the dinner portion.

Chris was really accommodating with meeting with us when we were in town and keeping in touch via email. He made us feel as if what we wanted was important and actually listened to our ideas. We gave him all our instructions and felt we were in good hands. My husband remarked to me after the one and only meeting with him that even if we didn't tell him anything, you could tell he would still do a fantastic job.

When the wedding came around, they were amazing. Everyone raved about the band and one of our Florida guests even wanted them for their wedding! Opal, the lead female singer, was absolutely astounding. Her voice was beautiful and strong; she was a big reason as to why we booked the band. They did a great job for our first dance and then pretty much everyone started dancing. They were that wonderful!

I could not have asked for a better performance. So if you are looking for a band to play at that special occasion, look no further. This is it.

Sara M, Watertown, MA

The quality of their singers were unbelievable

5-Star Review!7.26.08 from projectwedding.com

They were absolutely amazing! The quality of their singers were unbelievable. I met with Chris months before and was very specific about what I wanted and the feel of the wedding. He did everything I asked and learned a number of songs that I definitely wanted played. Everyone at my wedding said how amazing the band was and how much fun they had. It was great too because they provide ceremony musicians as well.

AndreaCulp

Our dance floor was packed all night long

5-Star Review!7.26.08 from Weddingwire

Worth every penny! We couldn't be happier with the choice we made with this band. Our dance floor was packed all night long. Chris is a complete professional, super nice, honest, very responsive, and the music is incredible! He even let my brother sit in and play guitar! We got a package that included the Artistrings string quartet for our ceremony.

Alice

An absolutely fantastic band, that really knows how to keep the party going

5-Star Review!8.18.07 from Facebook

The Chris Sarlas Orchestra played at our wedding on June 17, 2006 at The Drake and we had one of the best times ever - due largely to the great music!! An absolutely fantastic band, that really knows how to keep the party going. We loved working with Chris and couldn't think of a better individual to meet all of our wedding day music needs. We have also been to at least 10 different events that the Chris Sarlas Orchestra has played at and we have had an excellent time at each one--you guys are truly the best at what you do!

Petros and Elizabeth Christofylakis