It is party time, party music, well, not just yet. Your wedding music takes on several styles of music. There is the music for the ceremony, then the music for the more formal part of the wedding reception and then the party time of the reception.
In the majority of countries this seems to be how the wedding music is selected, by these three areas, The ceremony, the formal part of the wedding reception and the party-time of the wedding reception.
For the wedding ceremony, it is best to check with the church co-ordinator, Priest, Minister, Pastor or Marriage Celebrant and get the guideline as to what is acceptable. Often times they can supply a choir or singer and organist/pianist or will allow you to have your own.
There is an order of placement for music in the ceremony and the type of music that is suitable. A song that is special to the bridal couple will always be able to be included somehwere in the ceremony. Ask for the ceremony guidelines from the church co-ordinator and if they have a selection of songs or hymns that you can choose from.
For the early part of the reception, the music will need to be background type music, soft, that will not interfere with introductions and conversations. This style of music should continue through out the wedding feast and between toasts and speeches.
Depending on the theme of the wedding, a string quartet is ideal for this or a pianist playing soft dinner music. You can also choose to have taped music too.
After the formalities comes the party time and here to get everyone up and dancing, you may wish to hire a live band or DJ.
With weddings, normally the age group of the guests is wide, so the variety of music needs to be wide too. By including several music styles in the program, your guests will really get into the swing of things and set the party mood.
Check with the band or DJ before booking them as to how much variety they can play. Give them a list of the type of music you would like played and make sure they can accommodate your wishes.
If certain music or songs are suggested to you and you are not sure, take yourself along to a music store, pop on the headphones and have a listen. Some of the music styles are pop, rock, classical, jazz, blues, dance, disco, the list is long but not all music styles will be sutiable to be your wedding.
Your music should appeal to your guests, it should be in the background when conversations are happening and then get the toes tapping when you want your guests to be up and lively on the dance floor.
If you choose to have a wedding DJ at your wedding reception, then make sure he/she can supply the music styles your want, pre-dinner, dinner and dance, so you would be able to help your wedding budget by only hiring the one source of wedding music. A DJ can also act as an MC for you and this will keep things flowing and remember to include your favorite song or songs.
If your choice is a live band then as with the DJ, make sure they can accommodate your chosen music styles. A good idea is to choose a band with a pianist or keyboard player and a singer who can help out with the announcements and step into the role of MC. By choosing a live band with a keyboard/piano player, this will cover the soft style of music during the earlier part of the reception.
There are live bands who specialize in providing music for wedding receptions and wedding parties, the same goes for DJs, you will be able to find a specialist wedding DJ, look for both under the wedding category in your local yellow pages.
If you have a Bridal Expo or Wedding Expo in or near your area, make sure you get along to them, this is where you will find so many contacts to help with planning your very special day.
Choosing your wedding entertainment can be a fun time of your wedding planning, try not to do it all at once, your head can get into a spin with information overload, so spread it out and enjoy the music.
