How to choose Wedding Musicians and Entertainment

You got engaged and are in the process of planning your wedding. You have already picked the date, the style and the location. Now you have to decide how to entertain your guests. You have a few choices: you can have a band, a singer, an instrumentalist, a DJ or you can stream music via your computer or other device and broadcast it through speakers. But do you know how to choose the right wedding musicians and entertainers?

General information

 We recommend that if possible, both bride and groom will attend all interviews.

Always carry a note pad and pen to write down important information and questions that may arise during your interview.

In order to comparison shop, and select wisely, interview at least 3 Music – Entertainment service providers.

Music is a very important aspect of your wedding. It walks with you down the aisle for the marriage ceremony, accompanies you when you leave the ceremony as husband and wife, entertains your guests while you are being photographed and throughout the reception.

Start searching for your wedding music providers as early as possible, but after having secured the wedding date as well as both your ceremony and reception sites. You’ll need to follow the guidelines set by your wedding venue. Be aware of any requirements and rules pertaining to DJs and music performers. If there is a limit to the size of the band, the volume or any aspects of the performance, you must take it into consideration when choosing you DJs or musicians. Additionally, many religious institutions work only with an in-house approved list of performers.

Make your music and musician selection carefully. You want it to represent you, your taste, and the atmosphere you want your wedding to have. This makes choosing the wedding music and the style of musicians or entertainers, a lot of fun.
Before you start looking, you should brainstorm. For wedding-music-selections-for-the-ceremony-and-reception Click here As you do,

It is important that you consider:

your budget Quality should be your main concern. Budget enough so you do not risk the success of your wedding by cutting corners.
your wedding theme
your preference of music for ceremony
your preference of music for reception
the mood and atmosphere you want at your wedding – Read tips below
the location and size of your wedding Check with your wedding reception venue if and what live music is permitted. Make sure that the room is large enough to accommodate your musicians.
your interests
your guests. Will they want to dance or will they prefer to listen to music and have conversations?

Since the music sets the tone of your wedding, consider carefully what will make yours a special, one-of-a-kind wedding event. You have several options in two categories that are live music or recorded music. If you opt for the recorded music, you’ll need to hire a DJ. But if you choose live music, you are presented with having to choose a band, a soloist, instrumentalists or a combination.

 Since the music sets the tone of your wedding, consider carefully what will make yours a special, one-of-a-kind wedding event. You have several options in two categories that are live music or recorded music. If you opt for the recorded music, you’ll need to hire a DJ. But if you choose live music, you are presented with having to choose a band, a soloist, instrumentalists or a combination.

There is one more option you can utilize to provide music. Make your selection and play it at your wedding directly from your computer or TV. You may need to rent quality speakers and assign a friend as a monitor. My granddaughter opted for this method to entertain her wedding guests with soft music, and classical selections.  One of her friends Made her selection but hired a DJ.

Tips for choosing the wedding musicians for your ceremony:

  • For a formal atmosphere you may consider: a singer, a singing group, a string quartet, a jazz band, a classical ensemble, guitar(s) and – or a harp.
  • For a dramatic atmosphere you may consider:a string quartet, bag pipes, a choir.
  • For a traditional atmosphere you may consider: a singer, a string quartet, an organ or a classical guitar.
  • For an enchanting atmosphere you may consider: a singer, a harp or a harp and a flute.
  • For a light and uplifting atmosphere you may consider: a string quartet, guitar and flute, piano or piano and violin.
  • For background music you may consider: a string quartet, piano, piano and violin, piano and saxophone or classical guitar.
  • For a fun and loud or just something different atmosphere you may consider: DJ entertainment groups, Rock or swing live bands, popular music bands, Latin, Klezmer, polka, Irish, or other ethnic bands or best yet, a world music ensemble or a barber shop quartet. This atmosphere is a natural for games, entertainment and contests.
  • For a sophisticated atmosphere you may consider: a jazz band, a classical ensemble, a piano, a piano and a violin, a piano and a saxophone and – or a harp.
  • Background music you may consider: a string quartet, a jazz band, a piano, a piano and a violin, a piano and a saxophone, a classical ensemble, a solo singer or a classical guitar.

How to Find Wedding Music Providers

Once you have chosen the type of wedding site you want for your wedding, do the following:

  • Ask the director of your chosen wedding site for recommendations.
  • If you have a caterer, ask for recommendations.
  • Ask your family, friends and acquaintances for recommendations.
  • Attend bridal shows.
  • search the yellow pages under the appropriate category.
  • Call and request a brochure specific to weddings.
  • Place the brochures in a folder until you are ready to choose a few favorites.
  • You want only the best! Be selective!
  • When calling, were you greeted cordially?
  • Were you able to obtain the information you requested in a timely manner?
  • Were the people you spoke with helpful? Too helpful and eager?
  • Now, check the Internet for local wedding music providers and go to their web sites.
  • Do you like the look and feel?
  • Does it provide you with the information you are looking for?
  • Does it show or tell about unique one-of-a-kind weddings they performed at?
  • Can you find Free articles or Free information on the web site?
  • Are they helpful? or are they over selling?
  • Did you find a clearly posted name, address, phone and email contact?
    If not, skip it and go to another site that interest you and are agreeable.

There are a few elements you need to pay attention to if you want your association with the music – entertainment providers will be successful:

  • Did they merit good references?
  • Can they offer you what you want on your terms?
  • Will they guarantee that once you reserve their service, you will have the specific performers you chose for your wedding?
  • Are you happy with the customer service you receive?
  • Are they courteous?
  • Are they accommodating?
  • are they helpful?
  • Visit THEIR facility and check it out. Are they a real company running a real business full time?
  • Are their prices competitive?
  • Do you feel comfortable working with them?
    Information on hand, check out their reputation by contacting others in the wedding industry and asking about it.
    If you are satisfied, keep the information until you are ready to choose and commit.

Download and print the worksheets for questions, ideas and details to get you started.

    These tips, ideas, questions and details you gathered, are a wonderful preparation for your interviews.

     

    What to Expect of the Contact Person:

    • A business card of each person you will work with.
    • Contact information including cell phone, email and web site address.
    • A brochure that explains what is offered and any exclusions, rules, regulations and options.
    • References
    • A sample of their work on video and – or CD.

    Conclusion:

    Once you made your decision to hire, you need to receive a written contract signed by the person in charge, and dated. The contract must include all of your responsibilities and all of the responsibilities, warranties and guarantees offered by the Dj – Music Service Provider.

    Caveat Emptor – Buyer beware! Read each contract very carefully, on, under and above the line. Be sure that you understand it fully and agree with all the terms.

    If you have questions, concerns, or are uncertain, contact them for clarification.

    NOTE:In most parts of the USA you have 3 days to examin the contract and if you need to, cancel with no penalties.

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    Nily Glaser is the founder of A-wedding Day  magazine, a very popular Wedding Resource, and Information Center.  She is a published author who wrote and published the A-wedding Day Wedding Planning Guide, Book. She writes important articles and has presented workshops for wedding professionals all over the USA.
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