Pack The Dance Floor With The Right Music
The nuptials might have been lovely.
Dinner might have been delicious. But if the dance floor of the
reception isn’t lively, then the wedding was just par.
Putting
some thought into selecting just the right music to accompany your
special day can help set the tone of the party all night long.
Location
Two things will narrow your search for entertainment immediately:
space and theme.
Did you rent a hall, or are you keeping the
reception a small garden party? Is the wedding traditional, or is
everyone dressed like a punk rocker?
Answering the questions
about space, you will know if there is enough room for a full-size band,
a single guitarist or a disc jockey with a fog machine and lights.
Likewise,
the questions about theme should give you clues to whether the music
should be classic or contemporary.
And remember this: People need
an area to dance and an area to breathe without the music being too
loud.
While your favorite friends from college might be dropping
in, grandparents and kids still need a refuge from the madness.
Live vs. disc jockey
The question of live vs. recorded music is a personal preference.
Most people would prefer to have live music, but not all people can
afford to book U2 for the weekend.
So, if you have a very
specific set of songs in mind, a disc jockey might be the best answer. A
quality DJ can bring in a professional sound system and lights to
provide a more nightclub atmosphere to your wedding reception.
Hiring
a live musician can bring a sense of originality to a wedding. For
example, if a wedding calls for a certain ethnic flavor, the music
should likewise be cultural.
Gregor MacGregor is a traditional
bagpipe player who has been working in Northern Michigan since his first
wedding at Petoskey’s St. Francis Xavier Church in 1965.
“Most
people don’t know the names of the songs, but they recognize them as
traditional Scottish tunes,” MacGregor said. “There is something about
having the instruments there that gets people into the moment. I don’t
think there is anything that compares.”
MacGregor says he plays
mostly outdoor weddings, where his kilt and tartan dress fit the
reception atmosphere.
Song selection
Everyone has a new in-law in the crowd who would like nothing more
than to hold an REO Speedwagon music-athon at your wedding. So, when
using a DJ, be sure to have a set list of music and to only allow time
for a few requests.
Many couples create a set of songs for the
wedding and burn copies for their guests. This gives family and friends a
relative inexpensive keepsake. It is important to choose songs that
compliment the bride and the groom, as well as match the big moment.
A
good musician or DJ will have a long list of traditional songs to be
played at classic moments, such as the first dance or the father and
bride dance.
Whether you want Bach or Green Day will be up to
you.
Cost
Music can be one of the cost saving areas of a wedding. Professional
disc jockeys range in price from about $100 an hour an up. Live
musicians likewise have a ranging scale based on their notoriety,
experience and ensemble. A large band can easily charge several thousand
dollars.
But, ultimately, the music has to provide both
entertainment and an addition to the other events at the wedding. So, if
music isn’t a big focus of your agenda, it shouldn’t be a large portion
of your budget. However, if you’ve planned a massive party of a
reception, then you’d better bring the jams.
Top 10 classic wedding songs
as listed by Discjockeys.com
• Last Dance, Donna Summer
• New York, New York, Frank Sinatra
•
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), Green Day
• From This Moment On,
Shania Twain and Bryan White
• Save The Best For Last, Vanessa
Williams
• Wonderful Tonight, David Kersh
• Could I Have This
Dance, Anne Murray
• You’re Still The One, Shania Twain
• Closing
Time, Semisonic
• Unforgettable, Nat King Cole/Natalie Cole
More local entertainment options
James Greenway, “One Man Band,” www.jamesgreenwaymusic.com
DJ’s
North, www.djsnorth.net
Pluister
Entertainment DJ service, www.plu-ent.com
Gregor
MacGregor, www.bagpipesnorth.com
Mike
Davis Trio, www.mikedavistrio.com
Creative
Cottages Young Musicians, www.creativecottagestudio.com
Check
the PhoneGuide for additional options.
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