The Soundtrack of Your Lives
By Rik Ferrell
A wedding's music is more than mere entertainment; it serves as the soundtrack for the celebration of one of the most important days of your life. The music you hear that day will stay with you forever. Consider these milestones moments: your first dance as a married couple, the father-bride and mother-groom dances--none of that happens without the right music.
Finding the right music for an outdoor ceremony can be a little trickier, but you still have some solid options. We live in a culturally rich area with well-known music schools, orchestras, symphonies and jazz and classical musicians plentiful. Choices such as classical chamber music, a roots-folk acoustic guitar group, a bagpipe player, a harpist or hammer dulcimer performer can add a truly personal touch to your big day. And, of course, all of these creative options work perfectly well indoors, too.
Relax. It's nice to have choices. And I'm here to help.
Let's start with the ceremony. If you're tying the knot in a house of worship, you may already have some good leads. The church's musicians (which range from pianists to full bands these days) are likely to be available to play for the ceremony, and if you need guidance they should be able to suggest some pieces that will set the mood before things get started.
Finding the right music for an outdoor ceremony can be a little trickier, but you still have some solid options. We live in a culturally rich area with well-known music schools, orchestras, symphonies and jazz and classical musicians plentiful. Choices such as classical chamber music, a roots-folk acoustic guitar group, a bagpipe player, a harpist or hammer dulcimer performer can add a truly personal touch to your big day. And, of course, all of these creative options work perfectly well indoors, too.
Whatever your musical taste is, it's likely that an Internet search can get you started on the right path to finding musicians for hire who suit it. If you need a band that specializes in Indian (or Celtic, Serbian, Balkan--you get the point) music, it is out there.
If you're planning an outdoor wedding and going a bit more casual, another option is to simply use an iPod or CD player. This is perfectly acceptable, especially for beachside weddings. This is your special day, so incorporate the music that you want to hear. If you want to walk down the aisle to Jimmy Buffet, then play Buffett. You're the one making the memories. Just don't forget to check outdoors sites for electrical outlets--or bring additional batteries, just in case.
For more traditional recorded sounds for the ceremony, "A Bride's Guide to Wedding Music" is a 22-song collection of classical music that offers graceful, well-known pieces by Beethoven, Mozart, Pachelbel, and more--plus it includes both Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" (Here Comes The Bride) and Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" recessional. It's all you'll need and is readily available online and through iTunes.
On to the Reception
When deciding on any of this, consider what the personality of your wedding and reception will be. Are you planning a formal affair or more of a party? Consider your funds. What can you afford? A top-level DJ may end up being a better choice that a lower budget live band. And think about the number of guests you expect. Live music would likely be the best for a large event, one with more that 200 guests, while something small and intimate could be better served by a DJ or even something like a classical duo or trio.
Live Bands
Live music adds a fun, festive atmosphere to your occasion. A quality wedding band can play a wide variety of songs to please the young, the old,and everyone in between and will readily take requests--maybe not play them, but at least take them readily. Typically the band's leader can also serve as your master of ceremonies and work with you so he or she is clear on the order of events you have planned for your reception.
If you are considering a live band for your reception you may find that one of the major stumbling blocks is price. It is possible to pay in the neighborhood of $2,500-6,000 or even more for an experienced wedding group. On top of other substantial wedding expenses, this may seem like a bit too much. But, generally speaking , you do get what you pay for. so if you want to ensure that it's done right, forgo hiring your cousin's boyfriend's brother's band that performs for free beer at backyard barbecues, and stick with a seasoned professional. But remember--the top bands book up well in advance, so don't delay.
Different band specialize in different styles of music, such as Motown, country, polka, and Top 40. But remember--the typical wedding band is best suited to performing popular oldies up through current dance music titles. If your musical needs are ethnic, cultural, or simply not mainstream, it may take a proper talent agency to find the right band to handle them. And don't forget to make sure that the group you choose knows (or can learn) the tunes you are counting on it to play, such as your first dance song. Also, if you want light music during the cocktail hour then ensure that the band you're hiring can handle it, or you'll have to find someone else for that too.
DJs
Years ago disc jockeys were widely considered the "cheap man's" choice for wedding entertainment. No longer. These days, training and technology have come together to help to greatly elevate the status of wedding DJs and make them solid performers in their own right.
The inherent danger of having live music at your wedding reception is that you're completely reliant on the band to provide the entertainment. If it's having an off day, or you unfortunately stumble upon a group that doesn't live up to the image it's photo and demo CD suggested, you're sadly stuck with off-day, disappointing music. (Of course if you have done your research and chosen a reputable band--and maybe even gone to see them play--the chances of this happening are far less likely.) But since DJs use actual recorded versions of your favorite songs, everything they play sounds just the way you expect it to sound. Recorded music is 100 percent consistent--it doesn't catch a cold and lose it's voice, or break a guitar string, or get loaded during the break.
On the downside, most performing DJ's don't provide much to look at, unless they look like Brad Pitt or Charlize Theron. If you're going for an ultra-high-end wedding, or looking to make a big splash, a DJ probably isn't the best fit. For a smaller and more laid back, or less showy affair, a DJ is fine.
It's easier on the wallet, too. An experienced wedding DJ can run $900-1,200. He or she can also sever as master of ceremonies and should be able to easily handle music for your cocktail hour, too. Some companies offer price breaks for early booking, so don't delay.
What to Look For
If you decide to go with a DJ contact a professional service. That way you'll have experienced performers to chose from and more personality types at your disposal than you would by conducting a quick Internet search. Make sure that the sound system the service uses is relatively new and that it also provides backup equipment for it's performers. A dead music system with no replacement can torpedo an event really quickly. Also, be sure to dictate the DJ's attire. Insisting on a tux or formal dress isn't too much to ask.
And decide how much music you want to select. Some DJ services allow you to pick all the songs for the entire reception (something most live bands don't do). But unless you're a megalomaniacal music librarian, my advice is to pick a handful of songs that you absolutely need to hear, and then allow the DJ his or her input, too. A good performer won't be content until just about everyone has visited the dance floor at least once.
Now, to Choose
So, what to choose? Wedding receptions have featured live music almost since the dawn nuptials themselves. But that doesn't mean you have to follow tradition. Be as creative as you want to be. If, after weighing your options, you decide you'd rather have a bluegrass band, a reggae group or a techno club DJ, that's your call. If you want to walk into the reception to the Star Wars theme song, do it. Maybe you'll choose to arrange for a karaoke or throw a square dance. A proper talent agency can likely handle most of that for your as well.
Think your reception through thoroughly, and make a specific list of your music needs and desired styles before calling the pros. Do you want music during the wedding party introduction? Is there a special song that you want performed for a parent as a way to say "thank you?" Is there a certain tune that painfully reminds you of your loser ex that you don't want to hear?
Compile your ideas, be specific about what you want, and then let the pros do their thing.
Choosing Your Wedding Music*
What song absolutely melts your heart?
That’s your processional.
What song could you hear over and over without tiring of it?
That could be for your attendants.
What songs honor your family?
That’s for “Seating of the Mother.”
What song reminds you of when you fell in love?
That’s your first dance.
*Courtesy Ensemble Elan
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