Aboutweddings.com wedding music & entertainment article: reception / setting the tone

Receptions normally begin with a cocktail hour to allow guests time to arrive at the reception site and mingle while awaiting the arrival of the guests of honor. Wonderful options for this portion of the celebration are chamber music, classical guitar, harpist, or perhaps a jazz ensemble. Any one of these types of music can create a subtle background of entertainment without overpowering conversation. A pianist is another excellent choice, one who can supply a wide range of musical styles and numbers and perform your guests' special requests.

Begin researching your reception musicians early in the planning process, especially if you plan on having your celebration during one of the peak wedding months of May through October. Allow plenty of time for the interviewing process. Whether live at a local club or restaurant, during rehearsal, or prerecorded on CD or video, you'll need to hear prospective groups play to determine if you like their sound and presentation. One rule of thumb is never hire a musician without hearing their music first. You want to be certain their talent is up to your performance standards. Another important rule - find out the range of their musical repertoire. From 50's to disco, big band to jazz or rock to hip hop, if you plan on keeping all your guests in the party mood, you'll need a little diversification - something for everyone.

The type of entertainment you choose will ultimately depend on the size and style of your reception. For a large, formal dinner and dance reception consider hiring a band or an orchestra. For an outdoor garden wedding a string quartet or single instrumentalist might be better suited. Understanding your options and what they offer will better enable you to visualize the music that should surround your celebration.

Options include: bands and orchestras, chamber music and instrumentalists, classical guitar, and disc jockey.

Use the Music Selection List to keep track of song preferences and lengths. A week prior to the wedding, provide the final list to your musicians. Be specific and include song titles and singers/composers, and make sure your musicians can play your first dance song, or that the DJ has a clean copy of the original recording.

You or your wedding coordinator will provide the Master of Ceremonies - the bandleader or DJ - with the timing of the cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter throw, sweetheart dance and other key moments. Lastly, take a moment to go over the pronunciation of the wedding parties' names to avoid any awkward moments or dead air time. With these details covered, you should be set for celebrating.

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