Pantasia Steel Band

Formed in 1994 by three steel drum players, Pantasia books its musicians in fixed combinations rather than as soloists. The company's stated position is that one player cannot fill a ceremony visually or in volume, so the smallest wedding group is a duo: two steel drums for a processional, or one drum plus congas, shaker, and tambourine for a cocktail hour. A trio adds a second steel drummer, and a quartet adds a drum set and a fourth player for larger rooms.

A Pantasia ceremony is scripted in advance. Fifteen minutes of light pre-wedding music opens it, slower selections carry the mothers, flower girl, ring bearer, and bridesmaids in, the bride walks to her choice of "Here Comes the Bride," "One Love," or "I Can't Help Falling in Love" on steel drums only, and an upbeat calypso plays the couple back out and through the guest exit. Ceremony and pre-ceremony sets run acoustically with no power required. Attire is khaki and Caribbean shirts in high summer and black-and-white with Caribbean tuxedo vests the rest of the year, matched to wedding colors where possible.

Rehearsal dinners, receptions, engagement parties, and bridal showers are also on the books, and a ceremony booked with a cocktail hour at the same location earns a discount. Work centers on South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia; past clients include Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Brookgreen Gardens, and the South Carolina State Fair. Quotes are by request and no rates are published.