Music Magic: Avoiding Music Mishaps During Your Big Day

Dec 29, 2016 11:17 AM Back

Your wedding is a celebration of your love and your guests ARE going to want to party….and music is THE way to get the party started and keep the party going. Here are some tips to take the guess work out of keep guests entertained.

Do Your Homework: Don’t make hasty decisions without doing your research. Don’t dismiss a DJ just because you think it may be “tacky” or a live band because you think it will be too costly or “formal” for your fete. Instead do some serious investigating and negotiating and then decide what best suits your crowd and your budget. You’ll also want to get plenty of references and recommendations from friends and family who’ve tied the knot before you…and get their input and suggestions too.
Arrange A Meeting With Your Musicians: Once you’ve made a decision about who your entertainment will be, it’s best to meet those who will actually be “performing” the day or night of your big shindig and to ensure you are ALL on the same page and understand everything from the order of introductions, to the play list and DO NOT play list, how requests will be handles and how they plan on making it an event to remember etc. Make sure to go over everything in detail …and get it in writing.
Don’t Skip The Sound Check: Keep in mind that music and musicians can sound very different in different environments and venues. So, before the big day it’s best to consult with the venue manager and ask about what types of music work best. …so that the sound isn’t too loud or so that a soloist won’t be drowned out. Also, it’s a good idea to have your musicians do a walk through, especially if they’ve never played in a particular place or space.
Don’t’ Forget To Choose Music For Your Ceremony: While the adage suggests that “silence is golden”, it may be awkward for guests to wait for your anticipated stroll down the aisle in silence. So, whether it’s a harpist or simple arrangement of tranquil tunes that you can pipe into your ceremony location, it’s a nice way to greet guests and keep them calm and entertained while they wait. It’s also a great way to highlight certain important aspects of your oh-so-important ceremony.
Making the Proper Picks: Think about not only what music you like and the type of party YOU want to have, but about everyone on your guest list BEFORE finalizing your song list. And, don’t forget to also keep your officiant in mind as well. Certain houses of worship have certain music restrictions they’ll expect you to abide by…but even if you’re having your pastor, rabbi, or whomever conduct the ceremony at another location (besides your house of worship) it’s best to play music that’s not lude, crude or may considered offensive. You’ll also want to make music selections based on ALL those in attendance at your celebration…and it’s best to keep it PG at least until the after party….and, remember to make sure that your party is acoustically appropriate for all age groups….so keep music to a low roar, especially in respect of parents and older guests.
Keep It Short and Sweet: Yes, you want your first dance to be memorable and meaningful…but it’s best to choose a tune that’s no more than 5 minutes long…and it’s always a nice gesture to invite family and friends to join you out on the dance floor so you’re out there the entire time alone.
Mix It Up: Just because your may love one particular genre over another doesn’t mean all your guests do. Remember this day may be about you, but it’s also about sharing it with friends and family. So from food to music giving them equal consideration is a MUST….so make sure when it comes to music you include some of their favorites and ask your entertainers to mix it up.