Consider the Acoustics
The size and type of music vendor you select for your wedding reception
depends a great deal on where the reception will be held. A lavish formal
reception will suit the classic jazz sounds of a big band, whereas a solo
harp would be drowned out in a large venue where there are lots of people
talking. Jazz big bands however do not lend themselves very well to an
intimate garden cocktail wedding for 70 people. For smaller events you
would be better off considering a swinging blues trio or quartet.Brides
often forget to ask of their reception venues whether noise restrictions
apply (also a factor for backyard home weddings). If you are getting
married in a public place such as a park you will need to find out
whether you are even allowed to have amplified music.2. Hear the Band
Before You Book Them
This is a top tip, and a factor which many brides are unaware of until
it's too late. It will put your mind at ease about the wedding if you can
meet up with the Band Leader to discuss your wedding reception over a
personalized consultation. You also really want to not only SEE but more
importantly HEAR the band. Don't rely on website photos or recordings
alone, as these can sometimes be decades old and the Band Leader might
hire different musicians for your day. Most reputable bands have regular
open sessions, usually held on a weeknight where you can go along and
hear what they sound like in real life. You need to do this BEFORE
signing any contracts. If the band does not have open sessions make sure
they send you a video and/or CD of the particular lineup you're
interested in hiring. For instance they may send you a CD of a 20-piece
big band and you are interested in a Jazz Trio with vocalist. You need to
make sure you are given an accurate sample.3. Select Songs for ALL the
Formalities
Couples go over and over the song choices for their first dance, but
often neglect to select songs for the rest of the night's formalities
such as the bouquet toss, garter toss, entrance as husband and wife, exit
from the reception, cake cutting, and the list goes on! While it can be a
chore to settle on all these songs it can really personalize the wedding
for the guests, and it can give couples a chance to have fun with the
music as well. For example you may like to have Beyonce's 'Single Ladies'
for the bouquet toss.4. Don't Make the Mistake of Hiring Hobby Musicians
Check their credentials and testimonials. If they are not full time
professional musicians they're unlikely to be good enough entertainers
for your wedding reception. The last thing you want is a band comprised
of accountants and bank managers who enjoy moonlighting as hobby
musicians. Every one of the musicians in the band should have tertiary
qualifications in music performance, from a reputable university such as
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music.5. Get it in Writing!
This is a really important point not to be overlooked by bride-to-be's.
You MUST get everything in written word and retain a copy for your files.
Good bands will supply you with a contract that is signed by both parties
and stipulates all the details an specifications to make your wedding
reception runs smoothly. This includes the wedding date and location,
timings, names and contact information of musicians, the number of hours
they have been hired to play, the length and number of breaks they will
be taking, agreed total price (less any deposit required to secure the
booking) etc. Make sure you give the Band Leader the mobile phone number
of your Best Man or a family member in case they run into any
difficulties on the day and need to get in contact with the wedding
party.6. Wedding Appropriate Attire
Because there's nothing worse than a sloppy and casually dressed DJ!
Don't forget to discuss with your music vendor what they plan on wearing.
Jazz bands usually dress for the occasion, anything from black tie to all
black. And you would be surprised the number of times bands get asked to
dress in 1920's Jazz Age attire. It can be a fun way of tying the theme
of your wedding together with the entertainment.7. Ask Friends & Family
for Recs
Consult those close to you and find out if they've attended any weddings
recently with amazing music. This can be a really useful resource and can
save you time researching different music vendors on the net.8. Select
Appropriate Music
Select songs that reflect you as a couple, not what you think guests
would want to hear. Think of songs that have special meaning for the two
of you, such as the song that was playing during your first kiss, or the
song you heard on the radio on your first date. If it has significance to
you both, guests will pick up on that special meaning even if it is
unspoken.9. Name Your Playlists
If you're diy-ing with an iPod playlist make sure to label the playlists
clearly, for example 'First Dance Song' and have only that song in the
playlist. This makes is really clear for whoever is in charge of hitting
play, whether that be someone from the band or a family member. It's also
a good idea to write down the names of the playlists on the run sheet you
give to vendors. For example you write '8.30pm - band to press play on i
pod playlist BOUQUET TOSS SONG. Remember to charge your i pod prior to
the day, take the required cable adapters to plug into the audio system,
and have a backup with identical playlists on it in case one fails.10.
The 'Do Not Play' List
This is more for brides who are going with a DJ than a band, this is
almost as important as the Playlist. It's important to be upfront and
straightforward with the DJ that you simply do not want such and such an
artist or style of music played at your reception. For instance if it is
a formal black tie affair you may not wish to bring down the town of the
evening by playing Salt n Peppa's 'Let's Talk About Sex', or if you have
a particular dislike of say country and western music, or House music
it's important to inform the DJ of this from the start.