Beach Wedding Music

December 14th, 2010

Beaches are fun and relaxing places, and a beach wedding should embrace that spirit. Just as you select the perfect bridal gown and beach wedding jewelry for your celebration on the sand, you should put the same amount of thought into the music for your party. Think about the different feeling created by a string quartet as compared to a steel drum band, and you will get the idea! Speaking of a steel drum band, that can be an excellent musical option for a beach wedding. It has a strong association with Caribbean islands like Jamaica, which are famous for their laid back attitude. To evoke the spirit of Jamaica even more, hire reggae singers to accompany the steel drums.

Another fun idea for beach wedding music is 1960s beach and surf music. The most famous songs are those by the Beach Boys. Upbeat and popular among all generations, Beach Boy songs would be a lot of fun for dancing at the reception. Earlier during the ceremony, the bride could march down the aisle in her wedding dress and beach wedding jewelry to the sounds of instrumental surf music. Play up the 1960s California vibe of the music by making your grand exit from the wedding reception in a vintage ’60s convertible. So fun!

Yet another wonderful option for beach wedding music is Hawaiian and Polynesian style music. This would be the natural choice for a luau theme wedding (or rehearsal dinner). The bride and groom can wear beautiful floral leis during the ceremony. Create continuity by serving the foods which match the style of music, such as pineapple and pork. You can add to the fun of the Hawaiian music by featuring a short performance by some hula dancers at the reception. After they dance, have them give a quick lesson to your guests so that everyone can have fun dancing the night away hula style at your wedding.

The very special vibe of beach weddings deserves to be enhanced with the right music. By choosing the style of music which matches your wedding location, you will be able to design a wonderful atmosphere for your reception. When all of the wedding details work in harmony, the entire event will feel magical.

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Live Musicians or Wedding D.J.?

October 18th, 2010

The entertainment you choose for your wedding reception will greatly influence the flavor of the party. Most people would agree that a live band is more traditional. If you are having a very formal wedding or if your taste runs to a lace gown, a pearl necklace, and long white gloves, you will most likely find that a live band suits your style. Certainly there is an elegance and a richness of sound created by live performers that recorded music simply cannot match. For ambiance, a live band is the way to go.

There are some cons to wedding bands as well. They generally are more expensive than a d.j. Keep in mind that the larger your reception venue and guest list, the more musicians you will need in your band to create the right sound. You also might find that bands have a more limited repertoire than d.j.s who have a massive library of music available to them. Most bands work in a certain style, which can be great if you want a particular type of music (big band, bluegrass, or so on), but not so great if you like a lot of variety.

The chief disadvantage to a wedding d.j. is that the music is not live. Some people also feel that d.j.s are less elegant than bands, and that they do not fit with the vision of their weddings. You also run the risk of a d.j. playing songs you hate, from the Y.M.C.A. to a current hit song with lyrics which are inappropriate for both grandparents and the children at a wedding. If you hire a band which plays music in a particular style, there is little risk of this happening.

The best thing about choosing a d.j. for your wedding reception is that they can really get a great party going. If you want all the latest dance hits for your party, a d.j. is definitely the right answer. A d.j. is also great if you want to hear all sorts of music, from standards to Motown to the current songs on the radio. Couples also like d.j.s because they will play the original version of a song, leaving no room for a poorly done interpretation. Not to mention, the price is right when you compare d.j.s to live musicians.

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Wedding Reception Basics

July 18th, 2010

Just beginning the wedding planning process? This is the perfect time to learn all about organizing your wedding reception which follows the ceremony. Whether it is a large party or an intimate event, most wedding receptions will include these same basic elements.

Decorations: Decorations include centerpieces and other floral arrangements, candles, and tablecloths. If your wedding will be more formal or grand, you may well have additional types of adornments. These could include rented crystal chandeliers for a bride who loves the sparkle of crystal bridal jewelry and wants to bring that same kind of sparkle to her venue. Other types of decorations could be ice sculptures, fabric to drape ceilings or walls, and custom lighting.

Music: Virtually every wedding reception will feature some sort of musical accompaniment. This could range from a full orchestra, to a d.j., to an ipod, depending on your taste and the formality of your event. Even for short or small receptions which will not include dancing, it is nice to use background music to create ambiance. It could be as simple as recorded music played over the venue’s sound system, or you could splurge on a string quartet or harpist to play during dinner.

Food: What would a party be without food? At the very minimum, the hosts should treat their guests to cake and punch, although most weddings feature much more lavish spreads. Typically, the reception will kick off with a cocktail hour, during which assorted appetizers and drinks will be served, followed by a full dinner. At fancy weddings, there may also be a “Viennese hour” or dessert bar, and almost every reception will have some form of wedding cake.

Other: This category could include anything you need to rent to furnish your party, such as a tent, tables, chairs, and place settings, if not provided by the venue. It would also include wedding favors, place cards and escort cards, and the guest book. These details can range from extremely important (such as tables) to elements which are customary, but not mandatory, such as the guest book. A lot of it will depend on the reception venue and the style of your wedding.

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Beautiful Music: Picking the Perfect Band for Your Wedding

June 23rd, 2010

The music is one of the most important elements to set the tone for your wedding reception. A great band will create exactly the mood you desire, while a lame one will make the party a flop. These are some tips on how to pick the perfect band for your wedding.

First of all, keep in mind that there are plenty of great wedding musicians out there, but not all of them are right for the style of wedding you prefer. The hot samba band that kept the crowd jumping on the dance floor at your cousin’s wedding might not be a hit with your husband’s conservative family or make sense for your venue. Personally, I have always thought that people in formal attire look odd dancing wildly to contemporary music, so for my wedding, I chose a band that specialized in standards like Frank Sinatra and Cole Porter. It fit well with the overall classic style of my wedding, which ran to lace, pearl bridal jewelry, and all white flowers.

Most wedding performers will have cds and other promotional materials they can send you to help you get a sense of their style. That is a great place to start, but try to avoid booking a band based on that alone. You should definitely speak directly with the bandleader to be sure that you mesh, since he will be the one directing the band during your reception. Whenever possible, it is very smart to go see your top band perform live at a wedding or other event.

When writing the contract with your favorite band, be sure to address the question of breaks: how many, when, and the duration of them. Will a few musicians stay to play background music, will they put on an ipod loaded with your favorite songs, or will there be silence during the breaks? Also put into writing your obligations regarding feeding the band, the number of musicians and which instruments are to be included, and overtime rates. Then make your deposit to reserve your wedding band, and rest easy knowing that when the big day rolls around, your guests will be treated to beautiful music.

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Unique Ideas for Wedding Entertainment

March 25th, 2010

Sure, everyone has a band or a d.j. at their wedding, but why stop there? If you really want to wow your guests, think outside the box, and provide some fun and different entertainment which will set your wedding apart, play up your theme, or just plan make for a great party experience. To get you started, check out these unique ideas for wedding entertainment.

Certainly music is a wonderful way to set the mood at a wedding reception. If you or your fiance come from a cultural background which has a heritage of music, why not showcase it at your reception? A Mariachi band would be a fun addition to the dinner hour if the newlyweds have Mexican heritage. If you ancestors hailed from Italy, have several violinists wander through the cocktail hour or the dinner portion of the reception. Or honor your Scottish background with a bagpiper announcing your grand entrance to the party instead of just the bandleader. For a wedding with a Celtic theme, let a line of Riverdancers enchant your guests with their steps. In fact, any of these musical additions would be wonderful for a wedding even if the couple did not come from those cultural tradition.

Adding special details to a wedding is a fantastic way to give it a personality all its own. As every bride knows, the custom bridal jewelry or artisan designed invitations will make her wedding one-of-a-kind. The entertainment is no exception to this rule. Let’s say you were having a tropical theme wedding, with a flowy bridal gown and custom beach wedding jewelry. Firedancing with a Polynesian flair would be a dramatic addition to an outdoor evening wedding. Having a daytime tropical wedding? Why not incorporate some lovely hula dancers? Make it even more fun by having the dancers offer group lessons at the end of their performance so that your guests can give the hula a try.

There are many other inventive ideas for exciting wedding entertainment. You could have belly dancers or a traditional Chinese dragon performance. Hire a magician to entertain your youngest guests if you will have a lot of kids at your wedding. The possibilities are nearly limitless, and the best part is that you can tailor your special show to fit your own interests and wedding theme.

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Cutting Wedding Costs

November 7th, 2008

It seems like these days everyone is looking for ways to cut costs. When it comes to planning a wedding, it is easy to feel torn between saving money and throwing the wedding of your dreams. Luckily, there are some ways to cut costs without cutting down on style.

The bulk of your wedding budget will end up going towards your reception, so this is the also place with the most potential to save. Sometimes couples think that they can save money by having the wedding at home instead of renting a venue. The truth is, though, that by the time you have dealt with renting everything from a tent to silverware to a porto-potty, having a wedding at your house is probably one of the least economical options.

The music is certainly one of the most important parts of the reception, especially if you prefer live music instead of a d.j. One great way to save on the entertainment is to look for musicians at a local college. For instance, if you live near New York, why not audition students from Julliard? With a little research, you can find a band or soloist that is very talented, but also quite affordable.

When trying to save on wedding flowers, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. The first is that if you go with blossoms that are in season, you will save a bundle. Forget about flying tulips in from Holland for your autumn wedding; instead look for another option. Another way to save is to ask your florist to recommend flowers that are less expensive than the ones you see in the magazines, but that have a similar look.

Another way to cut costs for your wedding is to do much of your shopping online. You will often find much more reasonable prices on everything from invitations to bridesmaid jewelry gifts. When you purchase your gifts, like bridesmaid jewelry, over the internet, you will have the added bonus of a much better selection from which to choose.

Your wedding is a once in a lifetime event, and you never want to look back and wish that you had done things differently. When you know where to look, it is possible to have your dream wedding without overspending. This way you reflect back on your wedding, you will have fond memories as reminders, not outstanding debt!

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Auditioning Wedding Bands

October 19th, 2008

Before meeting with any bands, the first step is to determine what kind of music you want. Think about your wedding location, style, and the time of day. What message do you want to send? If you are getting married in an historical mansion, wearing a vintage style gown and antique looking wedding jewelry, then you would want a band with a similar genteel feeling, instead of, say, a rock band.

Once you have figured out exactly what you are looking for in a band, it is time to begin the audition process. Knowing where to get started can be the most difficult part. If you do not have a particular band already in mind, there are agencies that book a variety of types of musicians. To find the most reputable booking agents, ask for recommendations from your reception venue.

Now comes the fun part – listening to the music! The bands will probably have cds that you can check out to get a general sense of their style, but it is important to also go to see and hear them in person. You want to make sure that a band sounds as great in person as they do in a recording. Also take a look at their appearance – are they professional looking?

The final step is to sit down with the bandleader. Make sure that they are not only great musicians, but can play the particular songs that you want to hear at your wedding. This is especially true if there will be certain traditional songs like “The Hora” mixed in with more contemporary songs.

After you have gone through the full audition process, all that is left to do is sign the contract and cross “find band” off of your to do list. By taking it step by step, you will be confident that you have chosen the perfect band for your wedding. Let the dancing begin!

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