Wedding Entertainment Tips & Advice
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The musicians you hire, like the caterer and florist are interested in you having the most successful and memorable day possible. Some brides know exactly what they want performed, which if fine. If you aren't sure, feel free to discuss your general concept as a feeling or visual idea with the chief musician and let them suggest several options about what would work best. -The Jefferson Trio, Metro DC Area How Can One Make a Large Banquet Room Feel Warm and Cozy? "As a professional DJ and Lighting Designer I can tell you that Decorating and Lighting can create that cozy feel you are in search of. If your budget allows for you to hire a Planner it can be a wise investment as long as you find a reputable one. Either way, first and foremost you have to find the color(s) you want to go with. After that I highly suggest hiring a Decorator and a Lighting Designer. My point of view is based moreso on the DJ/Lighting Design side. I can tell you that to create the more cozy feel I would recommend Uplighting. I would use more subtle colors like slightly darker shades of blues,magentas, and maybe even dark reds. Depending on what type of event your are having I always like to provide a single darker color through dinner and as the dancing begins, put the Uplighting on a slow color fade of all the colors. This will note a transition in the event and set a faster mood for the event. When using a professional Uplighting company, they will give you endless colors to choose from. Keep in mind Uplighting typically looks it's best when placed around the whole perimeter of the room. Also note that usually a minimum of 15 to 30 fixtures is the most common amount needed for an average Banguet or Reception Hall. Starting pricing from a reputable Uplighting company is usually is around $40 per fixture, however can be alot less depending on the number of fixtures needed. Always ask your Lighting Company if they are able to change the colors throughout the night. If not, then they aren't using DMX. It's alot easier for a Lighting Designer to just display a single color all night. Make sure and ask these questions to assure your satisfaction. There are other lighting effects available but overall Uplighting gives you the best Transformation. So in conclusion, Uplighting can create the mood and cozy ambience that you are looking for! Photos Courtesy of Fox Entertainment www.drewfoxdj.com -Fox Entertainment, Lima, OH Disc Jockeys We recommend after listening to demo, schedule a live demo performance to make sure you will not be surprised at your event. Make sure you request musicians bio and education level, it makes a big difference so you know high professional they are. Choose one or couple of request music but mostly leave the music choise to our professional event musicians. -Musical Elegance, Maryland Chamber Group Finding and hiring a great band is important to having a fine, unique, and fun wedding. Be sure to call or meet in person with the band leader leader to get a sense of how they will be to work with. It's your big day and they should be willing to do anything they can help make your day perfect for two of you. Ask if they will learn any song for your special dances that they don't already play or if it's okay if uncle Bob sits in on guitar for a song or two. If sense resistance or they mention an additional fees, find another band. Do book your band early. I'm often booking Phresh Act weddings 2 years out. I have some dates open for one year out but they go fast. Do go with a band and not a DJ for even the very best (who charge as much as a live band) will admit they just can't stack up to a live musical performance. Always ask if there are any additional fees for travel, taxes or other that will show up in the contract. The fee you discuss should always be all inclusive - don't sign any contract that isn't all inclusive. Most likely the band you hire will be wedding professionals and they know what song selection will work best to move your crowd to the dance floor. Ask your band to bend their play lists to your musical preferences but don't try to micro manage them by providing the song list you want - bands are not at all like iPods. Knowing what song to play next to get and keep a crowd moving is an art form. What you can do is be on the dance floor with the bride/groom and your your family members and friends will join you there. -MA Wedding Band, Phresh Act, New England Wedding Band Check and see if the band you hire has event insurance. They should also accept requests to tailor the music for your event. -The Velocity Band, Pennsylvania Wedding Band If you are having a wedding duo, instrumental, on the beach, make sure you ask about amplification. Wind and waves can wreak havoc with sound and also the officiant when speaking. Magic Flute Wedding musicians not only use battery operated Taxi and Roland amps, and mic stands and microphones, but will also provide one for your officiant. :) -Magic Flute Weddings, New Jersey Wedding Ensemble The combination of high energy, high quality entertainment and a smooth schedule is the key to your perfect day. Make sure to go over the major points of the evening with your band or DJ a few weeks before the day of the wedding. -Josh and the Empty Pockets, Chicago, Illinois Modern Event Band Thinking of an IPOD Wedding? IPODS require a purchase of music from ITunes + speakers and sound system rental not to mention someone to keep the music playing which could cost you more than having an experienced and professional DJ to guide your event to success and keep your guests dancing! -Thompson Entertainment, Canton Ohio Professional DJ & Master of Ceremonies Music Ceremony Suggestion Tip: If you can't afford "live" musicians for your wedding ceremony, play a pre-recorded CD for 30 minutes while guest arrive (Your Prelude Music) Then have a LIVE vocalist sing one or two songs just before the wedding starts. -Renee of Charmed Life Music, LLC, Hermitage, TN Wedding Vocalist Any consideration for a wedding dj should involve the hiring of a professional who is versatile. This means, that in most metropolitan areas, the mix of wedding guests crosses not only age but ethnic differences. Any qualified dj should be able to have an assortment of music that appeals to a wide majority of the population. No longer can a dj afford to be identified as a 'country music' or top 40 dj. Those entertainers that don't want to meet the demands of today's growing diverse populations will see their bookings decrease. Therefore, any wedding client should require their potential dj provide proof that they're able to keep a dance floor full with a diverse crowd or keep searching until they can find one. -Kenneth of Wicked Sound and Light, Rancho Cucamonga, CA Wedding Disc Jockey There is nothing like the vibrancy and warmth of a live acoustic instrument or voice, which a DJ or recording cannot convey. When hiring classical musicians, consider hiring more than just "gig professionals", whose playing might actually be rusty from repeating the same repertoire over and over again. Make sure that the performers have regular concert experience. This will make a tremendous difference in the level of the performance. -Steven of La Belle Musique, Inc., New York, NY If you are using the musicians from your church or temple as part of a "package" offered by your venue, be sure to ask for a recording of the soloists or for an opportunity to hear them live. This is extremely important. Many an meticulously planned and elegant wedding has been tarnished by sub-par performances by a package soloist who was not "auditioned" by recording or in person by the bride, groom or wedding planner. Don't be afraid to ask questions and if needed, hire outside professional musicians to create the musical atmosphere you envision. -Jama of La Belle Voix New York, New York, NY How important is your Wedding Entertainment? In truth, entertainment is 80% or more of the success factor in any event, while it is often amazingly as little as 5% of the event budget. A late ceremony start, a few flowers missing, even an average meal will hardly be noticed by any of your guests and will be more than made up for with experienced entertainment. Conversely, the most beautiful ceremony, filet mignon and lobster, and charming decor can be ruined with a poor performance. -RE Lat of Events-4U, MD, DC, n.VA Pick songs that are not the "extreme" of each genre. Some disco songs fit into regular dance songs, just like some "rap" songs are also fun dance songs. You can please a wider range of people by playing songs that "cross over" to other genres. -Scott of American Entertainment, Westlake OH For outdoor weddings, consider having a brass quintet. -Daryl of Stone Mountain Brass, Atlanta GA When hiring an entertainment company, make sure they are members of a national disc jockey association. Member companies are usually insured, have access to backup equipment and entertainers in the event of emergency and provide better performances since they regularly engage in continuing professional education. -Ken of A&J Entertainment, Aurora CO Always provide "live" music for your ceremony/reception! This reflects beauty, elegance, and class that will leave your guests talking for years to come. Guests may not remember the food, the flowers, or the color of your tablecloths.. but they WILL remember the music! It sets the tone for your celebration ~ creates magical memories that will last a lifetime. -Chicago's Wedding Pianist Kathie Nicolet, Chicago, IL Be open to different types of musical ensembles. Most musicians' websites have a sound byte. Listen to many and you may be surprised by what your ear responds to. Aslo, beware....the most inexspensive group may be cost affective, but you get what you pay for. Many musicians are weekend musicians or student groups who may not have the experience needed to provide flawless music for your event. Ask for references! -Two Of Us flute and guitar duo, E Bridgewater MA The Band makes the party! Set your budget for the best! -Marcia of Marcia Mitchell, Palm Beach FL We don't play many notes, just the right ones!...more Alpha Dog Band, Manhattan, NY When developing a song list for your special event its a good idea to keep a number of selections in the songlist for all generations. -Nick of Nick Lamberti Entertainment, Dedham MA Since your entertainer will need to be heard by all attending, he/she needs to be in an area that is open and visible to all. Do not hide your entertainer in a corner or in the back of the room. -Ron of DJ Ron Carpenito, Boston MA |
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