| Musical entertainment can enhance any special event, | | | | chosen band does not drink while they perform. |
| for instance, ceremony and reception piano music | | | | Drunken musicians will ruin any event quicker than |
| sets the mood and will reflect your joyful | | | | anything else - and the memories will leave you with |
| celebrations. Special music, if done correctly, has the | | | | a hangover that will last for years. Also ensure that |
| ability to provide you with a lifetime of memories of | | | | your band has 'back up' musicians in case of illness or |
| your rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, reception | | | | indeed for any unforseen reason. |
| and dancing. Keep in mind that your own personal | | | | It's essential that you arrange an agreed arrival and |
| requests, whether performed by vocal performer, | | | | start-up time with the band leader and make sure |
| solo musician, string quartet, function band or DJ are | | | | you get a contract specifying exactly the amount of |
| extremely important in ensuring a successful event. | | | | time you will be getting for your fee. it's also |
| Musical options for a wedding ceremony may include: | | | | important that you're comfortable with your bands |
| traditional organ music, harps and flutes, soloists, | | | | deposit and final balance policy - and that you have |
| string quartets, as well as alternative musical | | | | everything printed and mutually signed in a written |
| arrangements. | | | | agreement. |
| A Master of Ceremonies or a band leader can lead | | | | Run through your musical requests with the band |
| and direct the reception entertainment. Bands can | | | | leader well before the special event. This will ensure |
| feature any music you choose, from oldies to top 40 | | | | that everything will go like clockwork on your |
| - and maybe some rock 'n roll. Remember that if | | | | wedding day. Plus it's essential to work out the |
| your budget is tight, a DJ can provide music whilst | | | | timings exactly and blend the music in with the |
| using digital tracks and CD's. Quality DJ's are generally | | | | ceremonial and other events that will happen in quick |
| extremely flexible in accommodating special requests | | | | succession on your big day. |
| and will dovetail these into their own tried and tested | | | | Organizing your wedding day entertainment is |
| repertoire. | | | | frequently an activity that most brides and grooms |
| During the reception, when would you want to | | | | leave to the last minute. Yet it's potentially the |
| include live music? The options available include playing | | | | service that can cause the most problems if |
| during the: arrival line up, wedding meal, at the end of | | | | organized incorrectly. Most good bands and |
| the speeches or during the cutting of the cake. It | | | | ensembles are booked months in advance - |
| goes without saying that you will want to have music | | | | particularly during popular summer Saturdays. From |
| during the first dance and throughout the latter part | | | | experience, we recommend contacting and reviewing |
| of the evening reception. | | | | at least three different styles of music before you |
| What additional advice can we offer on hiring musical | | | | make a final decision on the type of entertainment |
| entertainment for your special day? | | | | you want for your wedding. Once you've chosen |
| Firstly, we recommend finding out where your band, | | | | your personal style of entertainment, get three |
| string quartet or DJ performs - and personally visit | | | | quotes from different bands and ensembles in that |
| them prior to booking. Listen to their demos and | | | | sector. Read testimonials, listen to tracks, and if |
| tracks online or even better during a live | | | | possible visit a venue locally to hear them playing live. |
| performance. Remember to find out how long your | | | | Remember, preparation is the key to delivering |
| band have been playing together and how | | | | quality entertainment on your wedding day. Get |
| experienced they are at playing at weddings. Hearing | | | | organized, do your homework and deal with the finer |
| your entertainers play live music will help you select | | | | details well in advance. By doing this, the chances are |
| the best choice of songs for your special event. | | | | that your special music will sound great when it |
| From experience, we recommend ensuring that your | | | | matters most. |