Music is also an essential
part of weddings. Without music, most ceremonies are just dull and unexciting.
Giving a personal touch to music for your most beautiful occasion can prove to
be the most entertaining event for the day.
Music provides a
beautiful, emotional element to your wedding and reception. Moreover, the music and songs you select will
also help make your wedding uniquely your own.
Here are some tips on how to enhance the different phases of your
wedding with music.
Youll most likely choose two different types of music for your
ceremony and reception – softer, romantic music to be played or sung before, during,
and after the ceremony, and entertaining or dancing music for the
reception. In some cases, the same
musicians are able to provide both. As an alternative, you might choose to have
the church organist or soloist, or one set of musicians for the ceremony, and a
band or entertaining DJ for your reception.
Should you wish to have music playing before the
ceremony, instrumentals can establish an atmosphere for your guests and may
include mood-setting pieces that your early-to-arrive guests can enjoy as they
wait for the show to begin. For example,
in traditional Jewish ceremonies, it is common to have a pre-ceremony reception
or cocktail hour during which the bride and groom have separate chambers in
which to greet guests, in addition to a common area where hors doeuvres and
drinks are served. It is festive to have
musicians and possibly a singer in the common area at this time to warm up
the guests with some soft or lively music.
Even chamber music wouldnt be out of place.
For the ceremony, be sure to check with your site
coordinator or officiant regarding any restrictions or limitations that might
be in place on music selections. Some
places of worship limit the music selections to whatever their own organist can
play. However, there are numerous other
options for your ceremony music, when allowed, including a harpist, violinist,
string quartet, trumpeter, saxophonist, classical guitarist, keyboardist,
flutist, and vocals or choir.
Your reception music can range from a refined background element
during dinner to music for dancing. For
example, a string quartet, violin or harp is a polished backdrop for your
celebration, while a rock band or twelve-piece orchestra will provide a wider
range of lively tunes. If you and your
fiancé are strong music aficionados, you may even opt for different groups of
musicians or even a DJ alternating with a band that specializes in your
favorite style(s) throughout the reception whether its jazz, rap or
pop. Your style choices can also reflect
your ethnic heritage, such as Latin, Klezmer or Irish step. Remember that good bands and DJs book up
early, so youll need to start researching your options from nine to 12 months
in advance. And, of course, be sure you
have the chance to hear them in action before you decide to hire them.
While a live band might seem like the ultimate in wedding reception
entertainment, keep in mind that most wont have the same range of selection
that an established DJ will. There will also
be dead air when the band takes their scheduled breaks, unless you make
arrangements for something to be played during that time. If you opt for a DJ, make sure you choose one
who is both experienced and fun and can play a variety of songs, from slower
traditional to 50s to rock and roll to faster contemporary music for dancing.
If youd like to give guests a performance theyll always remember,
consider staging a humorous dance and/or lip-sync number to a popular tune with
your fiancé and perhaps a couple of members of the wedding party. Keep it tasteful remember, this may show up
on your wedding video! But it is your
wedding, so its OK to have fun and let your hair down a little. And if you and your fiancé have taken dance
lessons and are proud of what you can do
, go on out there and strut your stuff!
