Introduction
Music
is a key ingredient in setting
the mood for your wedding reception. Your
decision will have a great impact on the outcome of your
party.
Today,
bride and grooms are making their musical selections more
personal, more intimate, including music from a wide spectrum
of styles.
Many
factors will influence your choice of wedding music for
your reception. How large a group will you be entertaining?
What size band will suit your room size and your budget?
Most wedding audiences will include guests whose ages span
from teenagers to grandparents. How can you be sure that
your friends and your relatives will all rave to you about
your band or DJ?
Begin
shopping for bands 9 to 18 months in
advance of your party, especially if your
wedding reception will be held on a Saturday night. Popular
bands will often have their prime dates taken up to a year
or more in advance, so get started early to ensure that
you will have a good selection to choose from.
Look for a band or DJ that has substantial experience performing
at weddings. Most seasoned professionals can provide you
with a list of country clubs and caterers that recommend
their services. When interviewing a band or a DJ, ask for
a list of the songs that they can play. Versatility
is a key ingredient to your party's success!
You should be able to create a list of the songs that you
want to hear or to provide a list of "please do not
play's!" Make sure that you feel comfortable and can
communicate easily with your bandleader. He or she should
be willing to learn your wedding song and to spend time
helping to coordinate all the special touches at your celebration.
You should be encouraged to express your preferences on
all of the party's details, including the control of the
band's volume.
Tips
on Choosing a DJ
Months of planning are put into making your wedding day
very special to you, your spouse, family, and friends. The
same amount of planning should be applied to hiring a DJ
Service for your reception. The success of your reception
will be remembered for years by all those whom attend.
Keep in mind the mixture of
ages that will be attending your event.
Can the DJ provide a wide variety of music? Make sure the
DJ Service is flexible to all your needs and can adapt to
the changing moods that take place during a reception. It
is very important to keep the reception moving along. This
will keep the interest of all the guests.
One of the most important things to address is the "Music
Volume". If the music is played to
loud, it may offend or annoy some of your guests, causing
them to leave. Volume is a very sensitive area you will
want to discuss while talking to different DJ Services.
Look for the DJ that you feel
will get along with your family and guests.
Is he friendly? Polite? Will he dress properly for the occasion?
Ask the DJ about their background experience with people
of all ages. All these above areas are very important.
Finally, be sure to address
the cost for their service. Does this cost
include travel, set up, breakdown? There is nothing wrong
with wanting to know what you will be receiving for the
money you will be paying for the service. Just remember,
the time spent selecting your DJ Service will be rewarded
back to you with a Great Reception and some Great Memories
for everyone on your special day.
Themed
Wedding Receptions
Themed
receptions are increasingly popular, reflecting the particular
interests of the happy couple. For instance, Motown music,
with its wonderful mix of soul, blues and ballads provides
music for dancing and relaxing. Other couples prefer a bit
of nostalgia and hire a swing band to give a 1940’s
flair to the event. Swing is always a favorite in that it
provides plenty of dance tunes and appeal to parents and
grandparents as well as young people.
If
the bride and groom are close in age, they may choose a
“flash-back” reception featuring tunes on which
they grew up. A DJ that has a large collection of 80’s
or 70’s music can recreate the flavor of an entire
decade with the right mix of tunes. If you choose this route,
you may be surprised to find many of the guests singing
along with enthusiasm as they relive their younger (and
possibly wilder) days.
Are
you creating a themed wedding? If so, carry that theme right
into the reception. For instance, for a medieval or renaissance
wedding, which have become increasingly popular with the
rise in Renaissance Festivals, contact a University music
department to find chamber musicians who perform using instruments
of the era. The unique beauty of this ancient music will
create a memorable impression and guarantee your reception
is not run-of-the-mill.
The
same can be done if you have a Scottish or Irish wedding
– contact cultural groups for information on local
talent. If you are having a casual, tropical-themed wedding,
try a steel drum band. This bright, energetic music will
have everyone tapping toes and jumping up to dance.
Today’s
interest in cultural roots has ushered in an increasing
number of culturally themed weddings. Couples of Hispanic
origin may want to honor their heritage by choosing Latino
music, while African-Americans may enjoy traditional African
music. Irish jigs, Scottish ballads, and a variety of other
“traditional” styles of music are finding their
way into weddings and wedding receptions, being enjoyed
by new generations of guests as they toast the happy couple.
Therefore,
if you are considering something unique for your wedding
and reception, be confident knowing that just about anything
in music goes. Additionally, you will discover a multitude
of options for every genre and every budget.
In
Conclusion
Whether you choose an exciting dance band complete with
male and female vocalists and a horn section, an elegant
smaller band or a DJ package, try to see the entertainers
perform live
at a showcase or other event. There is nothing like getting
the real feel of a performance by previewing the entertainers
in action. Most importantly, have fun shopping and planning
for the most significant and exciting day of your life! |
