In any discussion of weddings, there is no doubt that music is a central element, because music perhaps more than anything else sets the mood. Whether you chose a lavishly romantic, traditional wedding, or a new age, hi-tech, high shine wedding, or a barbecue picnic in your backyard, the accompanying music will dramatically help to set the tone. A wedding without music is hard to imagine.

The location you have chosen for your wedding will help to direct you to the kind of music you will want. Matching the style, location, and theme of your event to the type of entertainment you choose will help make the function more cohesive and more successful. Approach this aspect of your wedding in an organized way, with research and preparation, break it down into its components and you will find that it becomes easier to do. Start well in advance of your wedding date, because good entertainers get booked up quickly, as much as a year or two in advance.

With your entertainment, as with every aspect of your wedding, you will need to be conscious of your budget parameters. The variety and prices of entertainment packages that are available, will hopefully offer an option that is acceptable to you and appropriate for your particular affair. Take your own taste into account, but also try to take into consideration the tastes of your guests.

Once your budget is set, you'll need to make a first-tier decision. Will you opt for a musical group (duo, band, orchestra, etc.) which will provide "live" music or will you choose a deejay. Most people are familiar with the advantages of "live" entertainment, but may not know the advantages of hiring a deejay. A DJ will play music as it was recorded, with the group, the vocals and the style just as it is in the original version. You can, in a sense, have a whole array of top-name entertainers at your event. Because the music is recorded, there usually is less down time (i.e., breaks) with a DJ. In general, hiring a disc jockey is less expensive than recreating the same sound "live." The choice is yours and keep in mind that there's nothing that says you can't have a combination of entertainment at your wedding. Most DJs can and will work in conjunction with other entertainers (callers, demonstrators, etc.). Many "live" groups will be willing to play for just one segment of your event. So, do keep in mind the concept of mix and match!

Where and how do you start?
One way you can begin to make your decision of whom to choose is to canvas people in your area who are familiar with the musical groups and/or deejay (DJs) you will be interviewing. You can continue your canvassing at each interview, where you can and should ask for the names and phone numbers of satisfied customers. Any professional will be delighted to comply with such a request. The Better Business Bureau is a good place to check on any complaints that may have been registered. Ask to see photographs of weddings at which the group or DJ has played. Their dress and demeanor are also important in creating an overall presentation. Tell the entertainment representative about the style of wedding you are having, and discuss the options that will be appropriate.

It is becoming less common for entertainers to allow prospective customers to "watch them play." Your presence at someone else's wedding can be distracting and annoying, and more and more couples are refusing the entertainers' requests to have "lookers & listeners." As a result, most entertainers have professionally produced audio and/or videos, as well as clips from weddings, that you may borrow and view. Most bands and orchestras and almost all DJs have song lists from which you may choose. If you get a chance to watch a live performance, take notes and ask if the host and hostess would mind if you taped some segments to review later. This will help you remember who's who. Of course, when you visit to listen at someone else's affair, do so as inconspicuously as possible. Make certain that your representative has gotten permission, in advance. Yet another way you may have an opportunity to hear your prospective entertainers is to attend one of the many wedding shows that are hosted throughout the year. You might also be able to catch them at a concert, civic event, or business conference, where your presence would be less of an interference.

There are likely to be two distinct parts to the entertainment you will require, the ceremony and the reception. With regard to the ceremony, if you are getting married in a house of worship, your best bet is to speak to the clergy person who will officiate. He or she can advise you not only as to what type of music is appropriate, but what number of musicians, and instruments sound best in the location you have chosen. Make certain that the entertainers you choose are familiar with the service of the ceremony and at what points it will be appropriate for music to be played.

There are any number of beautiful musical selections that fit the mood of a wedding ceremony. They run the gamut from the traditional ("Bridal Chorus-Here Comes the Bride" by Wagner) to more trendy, current selections ("Chariots of Fire" by Vangelis). With regard to specific selections of music, the musicians you choose can give you suggestions and you, of course, can suggest pieces you that you particularly like and would like to have played. If you are looking for a cost-cutting alternative, consider having prerecorded (taped) music played at the ceremony. In general, you might cut costs by checking out music schools, high school bands, and club performers for less-expensive alternatives.

When it comes to the reception, it really is anything goes! The type of music and the kinds of selections played are entirely up to you. The one caveat is that you must make certain that the musicians you pick are able to play the kind of music you want. This is an area in which hearing is believing. It is wise for you either to watch a live performance or to get a tape of the kinds of selections you want. This is especially important if you want crossover music (i.e., ethnic or folk music from a rock ‘n roll band or rock ‘n roll from a classical group).

You will find to your delight that the different kinds of musical groups that are available are growing. The traditional 6-7-8 piece orchestra now has "competition." Today there are unlimited options . . . brass quintets, classical or folk guitarists, string trios or quartets, bagpipers, a variety of duos like harp and flute, or a Disc Jockey who can play all of your favorite tunes. The size of groups can range from two pieces with perhaps a keyboard synthesizer to a fifteen-piece band. There is also a wide selection of entertainers other than musicians such as vocalists, and dancers.

During dinner you will want to plan with your entertainment professionals to have some background music while your guests are eating. There is no single bigger complaint by guests than that the music was so loud, they couldn't hear anyone at the table. It really is best to save music for dancing for after dinner. The dinner time mood music can be provided by several "pieces" from your group or by other musicians entirely ( e.g., a pianist, a harpist, a violinist, a flutist). Such "single pieces" also add a nice touch to the cocktail hour, should you have one.

One of the entertainers will most likely serve as your emcee or Master of Ceremonies. It is especially important that you feel comfortable with this person who will be very much in charge. You will need to decide and discuss how much of an active or inactive role you wish the emcee to take. At some weddings the emcee verbally directs the crowd through the events, at some, there is a very laid-back, let-it-happen-as-it-will attitude. This is a decision you will need to discuss with your emcee, so there are no misunderstandings.

Once you have picked "the winner," get a firm price and a contract, with everything written into it. The less left to memory, the less possibility for disagreements later on. With this aspect of your wedding the guideline should be "communicate, communicate." Make certain that your wishes are understood and that the group is able to fulfill those requests.

QUESTIONS TO ASK & HELPFUL HINTS
. . . about the location
1. Does the entertainment representative know the locations where the ceremony and the reception will be held? If not, have them visit the locations.
2. Make certain someone reliable Is in charge and knows all the logistics (like where the outlets are), in advance.

. . . about the entertainers
1. How many people will actually be performing?
2. What instruments will each play and what role will each fulfill?
3. How many and at what time will breaks be taken (i.e., how many minutes per hour will they play, how much of a dinner break will they take)?
4. Will there be fill-in music when the orchestra is on break? Ask about taped music if there will be breaks when all the musicians will be absent.
5. Who will act as the emcee and what will the functions be? You will want to meet this person and talk to him or her. The deportment (speech, manner, dress) of your emcee can seriously impact on the ambiance of your affair.
6. If you wish to have specific people as your entertainers, you will need to specify that in your contract. Do not assume that whomever you hear will be who will perform at your affair.
7. Is the group you saw perform, the same group that will entertain at your wedding?
This is particularly important with "live" musicians playing in a group with several instruments and/or vocalists. Make sure that what you see, is what you'll be getting!

. . . about logistics
1. By what date will you have to commit to the number of people you want?
2. Will they accept guest requests? Do you wish them to honor requests?
3. Ask to see a song list. Provide a list of songs you would like played, and, if you would like, when during the affair they are to be played.
4. To make the best use of the group leader as an emcee, provide him or her with a detailed plan of the functions with notes on who and what and when (e.g., cake cutting, first dances, announcements).


. . . about miscellaneous items
___ Does the group have liability insurance?
___ Make sure that you have contracted for enough time.

Nothing is more disappointing than the entertainment starting late or ending "early." If your reception includes dancing, include a variety of music for guests of all ages.

. . . about the cost
___ Ask about overtime hours and prices
___ Are there taxes, and if so, on what?
___ Are gratuities included?

Get a firm price and a written contract. Write everything into the contract (e.g., number of musicians/ performers, hourly and overtime rates, arrival and departure times and breaks, length of the ceremony and reception, specials requests, dress requirements, and noise level)

Good luck and have a wonderful time.

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