Make beautiful music together

Plan and book wedding music 6 to 12 months ahead

It may not be the first thing you consider when you begin your wedding plans, but postpone your choices at your peril. It's a good idea to start planning and booking your wedding music six to 12 months before the event. A perfect ceremony and reception can fall flat with the wrong musical selections or accompaniment. Think of it as the soundtrack to your wedding and use these expert tips to help you hit all the right notes. (And to help you get started, check out these nearby musicians and DJs. You can also look for CDs online.)

Ceremony Music

• Prelude music is played 15 to 30 minutes before the ceremony begins and while guests are being seated.
  
  
• Processional music is played as the wedding party enters the ceremony site.
  
  
• Ceremony music is played during the ceremony.
  
  
• Recessional music is played as the wedding party leaves the ceremony site.
  
  
• Postlude music is played while guests leave the ceremony site.
  
  

The most traditional musical instrument for wedding ceremonies is the organ. But guitars, pianos, flutes, harps and violins are also popular today. The two most popular musical selections for the processional are Trumpet Voluntary by Purcell and The Bridal Chorus by Wagner. Popular selections for the recessional are Wedding March by Mendelssohn and Postlude in G Major by Handel. Canon in D Major by Pachelbel and Adagio in A Minor by Bach are also popular selections for wedding ceremonies.

Music may or may not be included as part of the ceremony site fee. Be sure to check with your ceremony site about restrictions pertaining to music and the availability of musical instruments for your use. Discuss the selection of ceremony music with your officiant and musicians. Make sure the musicians know how to play the selections you request.

When selecting ceremony music, keep in mind the formality of your wedding, your religious affiliation, and the length of the ceremony. Also consider the location and time of day. If the ceremony is outside where there may be other noises such as traffic, wind, or people's voices, or if a large number of guests will be attending your ceremony, consider having the music, your officiant, and your vows amplified. Make sure there are electrical outlets close to where the instruments will be set up.

Questions

Make sure you ask fhe following questions to ensure a smart hiring decision:

• What is me name and phone number of my contact person?
  
  
• How many years of professional experience do you have?
  
  
• What percentage of your business is dedicated to weddings?
  
  
• Are you the person who will perform at my wedding?
  
  
• What instruments do you play?
  
  
• What type of music do you specialize in?
  
  
• What are your hourly fees?
  
  
• What is your cost for a soloist?
  
  
• What is your cost for a duet?
  
  
• What is your cost for a trio?
  
  
• What is your cost for a quartet?
  
  
• How would you dress for my wedding?
  
  
• Do you have liability insurance?
  
  
• Do you have a cordless microphone?
  
  
• What is your payment policy?
  
  
• What is your cancellation policy?
  
  

You might want to hire student musicians from your local university or high school. Ask a friend to sing or play at your ceremony; they will be honored. If you're planning to hire a band for your reception, consider hiring a scaled-down version of the same band to play at your ceremony, such as a trio of flute, guitar, and vocals. This could enable you to negotiate a "package" price. If you're planning to hire a DJ for your reception, consider hiring him/her to play prerecorded music at your ceremony.

Whether it's a church wedding or a casual outdoor ceremony, the music you choose sets the tone of the event. We have some tips and suggestions about traditional and nontraditional selections to get you thinking.

Reception Music

Music is a major part of your reception, and should be planned carefully. Music helps create the atmosphere of your wedding. Special songs will make your reception unique. When you select music for your reception, keep in mind the age and musical preference of your guests, your budget, and any restrictions that the reception site may have. Bands and musicians are typically more expensive than DJ's.

There are many options for reception music: you can hire a DJ, a band, an orchestra, or any combination of one or more instruments and vocalists. Consider hiring an entertainment agency that can help you choose a reliable DJ or band that will play the type of music you want. Whoever you choose should have experience performing at wedding receptions.

If you want your musician to act as a master of ceremonies, make sure he/she has a complete timeline for your reception so he/she knows when to announce the various events such as the toasts, first dance, and cutting of the cake. Consider watching your musicians perform at another event before booking their services.

If you need a large variety of music to satisfy all your guests, consider hiring a DJ. A professional DJ can play any type of music and may even offer a light show. Make sure you give him/her a list of the songs you want played at your reception and a timeline for playing each one. Make sure there are electrical outlets at the reception site close to where the musicians will be performing.

Questions

Make sure you ask fhe following questions to ensure a smart hiring decision:

• What is the name and phone number of my contact person?
  
  
• How many years of professional experience do you have?
  
  
• How many people are in your band?
  
  
• What percentage of your business is dedicated to wedding receptions?
  
  
• What type of music do you specialize in?
  
  
• What type of sound system do you have?
  
  
• Will you perform at my reception?
  
  
• Can you act as a master of ceremonies?
  
  
• How do you dress for receptions?
  
  
• Do you have a cordless microphone?
  
  
• Can you provide a light show?
  
  
• How many breaks do you take in a 4-hour reception?
  
  
• Do you play recorded music during breaks?
  
  
• How long are your breaks?
  
  
• Do you have liability insurance?
  
  
• What are your fees for a 4-hour reception?
  
  
• What is your cost per additional hour?
  
  
• What is your payment policy?
  
  
• What is your cancellation policy?
  
  

You will probably get a better price if you hire a band or DJ directly, rather than using an entertainment agency to hire your musicians.

Check the music department of local colleges and universities for names of student musicians and DJ's. You may be able to hire a student for a fraction of the price of a professional musician or DJ. A DJ is typically less expensive than a "live" musician, saving $200 - $1,000. Some facilities have contracts with certain DJ's, and you may be able to save money by hiring one of them.

Something for everyone? (There's really no such thing.) Please yourself first - it's your party - but have a little compassion for your elders. We've got ten tips to help make the music match the mood , and a checklist of the five most important songs during your reception.

Choosing your performers

Live band, DJ, string quartet or solo tuba - the choice is yours. Here are some tips on selecting the entertainment, how much you can expect to pay for it and getting the most for your money.