Finding Wedding Entertainment that’s as Unique as your Wedding
March 1, 2011
photo courtesy of jaredwilsonphotography.com
From bagpipes to stand-up comedians turned DJ’s, wedding entertainment runs the gamut. The only difficulty is in determining what type of entertainment suits your personality and the likely mood of your guests. Whatever musical group or entertainer you choose, here’s a few general tips to keep in mind.
1. Keep It Light.
Weddings are festive occasions, meant for celebration. Don’t skimp on the cost of a band if it means you’re going to end up with a dour, listless bunch of performers. If possible listen to recordings of the band or better still watch a video to make sure they know upbeat songs that get people in the mood to dance and have a look that will suit your wedding’s style. Even a jazz band can play popular standards that will energize the crowd while keeping the reception moving. If you can’t afford a full band and choose to hire a DJ instead, ask for a sample playlist to get a feeling for what the DJ considers a musical good time.
2. Don’t Micromanage.
Although every bride wants her big day to go according to plan, there’s a difference between choosing the right entertainer and dragging them down with too many demands. Entertainers need a little spontaneity to keep their performances from feeling stale. Although it’s perfectly fine to request certain songs or ask for a DJ to follow a pre-programmed routine, don’t make the mistake of trying to plan out every last song or moment. Great entertainment will provide a mood; don’t get too nitpicky as to how they’re going to do it.
3. Plan for Different Stages.
Speaking of the right mood, what specific musician or entertainer should you choose to make the day memorable? In most cases, the bride and groom should choose someone who reflects their tastes but can also cater to an older crowd. After all, most weddings have a grandmother or two in the crowd. If you’re planning a big family wedding, make sure the group isn’t overly offensive. Jazz combos can make a fantastic addition to any wedding, as can eclectic DJ’s who know they should save spinning the more risqué numbers until after 9 or 10pm. Most wedding receptions have stages; there’s the immediate post-ceremony glow, followed by the mid-evening dinner/drinks period, followed by the late-night shift of die-hard partiers. Each stage has its own mood. Truly talented wedding entertainers will be able to effectively shift from one stage to the next. This will give your special day a textured quality suitable for all age groups.
By Freak Music Wedding Entertainment Specialists
Filed under: Wedding Planning 101
7 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Amy | March 1, 2011 at 2:15 pm
You know you’re going to be doing the “Chicken Dance” and the “Hokey Pokey” after a few glasses of wine anyway! And nothing compares to seeing your parents do “The Time Warp” or shake her booty to “Baby Got Back” once the fun starts too!
2.
Amy | March 1, 2011 at 2:16 pm
OH and don’t forget about “Thriller”!
3.
Mnunnery | March 2, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Very nice articles, I like your site and I will keep checking back to see what you have posted.
4.
Mary Dietz | March 3, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Hahaha! I can always count on you, Amy, to offer some amazeballs comments :)
5.
Mary Dietz | March 3, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Thanks! I look forward to hearing from you again!
6.
Shuvo | March 3, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Very nice articles, I like your site and I will keep checking back to see what you have posted. Also, to make one’s wedding unique, one can use sparklers to decorate the cake or at the reception ; We wanted a sparkling arch way built by the guests at the reception with the sparklers in their hands outside the doorway. It just looked perfect, ethereal, beautiful.You can easily buy them online at http://www.skylighter.com/mall/sparklers.asp
7.
Sue Austin | April 4, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Great site and I agree with the artical about entertainment. What is the point of employing a professional and then telling them to do it your way. We have just had our youngest daughters wedding and are in the throws of organising our eldest daughters wedding. We had a harpist for the civil ceremony and drinks reception and used The Harpist Directory to find our harpist. The site was very informative and explained many things we had not thought about. This section was extremly helpful http://www.harpist-directory.com/wedding_harpist_guide.htm
The harpist we chose also guided us through do’s and don’ts and her experience was invaluable and she was an amazing musician. The music she played was so moving, many were brought to tears. The next wedding is in a different part of the country, but my eldest has got her heart set on a harpist to, so we are currently choosing another harpist from the directory.
Keep up the great blog. Sue x
Wedding Harpist – A Guide For Brides
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