| Thinking about live musicians for your wedding? It's a | | | | not actively involved. Songs are long! I often have to |
| great idea. Did you know we hear live music in a | | | | encourage the bridal pair to stay centered and |
| different part of our brain than we hear recorded | | | | engaged during music and readings. So consider |
| music and that it is more calming than recorded? If | | | | carefully what your comfort zones are. |
| you can, why not choose that option? (Disclaimer, I | | | | The Cocktail Hour: You usually want quiet listening |
| knew this before I fell in love with and married a | | | | music here. Although I know several brides who have |
| drummer!) However, choosing musicians for your | | | | wanted sing-alongs for the holiday season. Financially, |
| wedding is not as straightforward as you might think. | | | | you'll do best if you hire the same musicians to play |
| Weddings are very different from clubs. There's a lot | | | | at your cocktail hour who played at your ceremony. |
| you want your wedding musicians to do that they | | | | The first hour is the most expensive, but adding an |
| don't need to do at a club. The musicians, particularly | | | | hour often doesn't cost that much. You may also |
| at the reception have the PA system, so they're in | | | | want to have one or two of your reception |
| charge. They need to know the wedding flow so | | | | musicians show up early and provide the music you're |
| that they can play the right music kinds of music in | | | | looking for. |
| the right places. There are essentially three places | | | | The Reception: Playing a wedding reception and |
| you want music at your wedding and here are some | | | | playing it well takes talent and affinity for working a |
| things you might want to consider as you look at all | | | | party. |
| of them. | | | | - You want music for the entire four (or so) hours of |
| The Ceremony: Depending where your ceremony is, | | | | your reception. |
| there may be restrictions as to what kind of music | | | | - You want music that's appropriate to the activity |
| and what kind of musicians you may have. If you're | | | | it's supporting: No rock-n-roll during dinner and no |
| being married in a church, they often like you to use | | | | dinner music when you're looking to cut a rug! |
| their musician (and there's usually an extra charge for | | | | - You want musicians who understand the flow of |
| this if you're not a member. If you are a member | | | | the party and who can follow the instruction sheet. |
| and there's no charge, it's good form to tip.) | | | | Nothing's worse than omitting the father of the bride |
| - You have all sorts of options for your music | | | | speech (unless it's omitting the mom's!)! |
| choices. The classics are great, but so are songs that | | | | - You want musicians who are all about you. This isn't |
| are meaningful in your life. | | | | a concert; it's a wedding. (OK, there was a big San |
| - You have all sorts of options for musicians. I've | | | | Francisco wedding where they flew in Elton John and |
| heard the Grateful Dead played on a mighty Wurlitzer | | | | his 2 baby grands. But then it wasn't a wedding, it |
| and the Stones by a string quintet. Classical guitar, | | | | was an extravaganza!) |
| harp: You're limited by the venue and a musician's | | | | Your venue, vendors, wedding planner and talent |
| flexibility. | | | | agencies will be your best bets for finding the right |
| - You have options for how you use your music. | | | | music and giving you good guidance on the fees. |
| Unless you're very accustomed to music, be careful | | | | What you'll spend will depend on the area you live in, |
| about using it in the midst of your ceremony. Brides | | | | the quality of the musicians and training they have as |
| and Grooms' nerves can overcome them if they're | | | | event bands. |