Weddings

Music Tips from Stage One

Music at your reception is the most important component to ensure your event is a success. When selecting either a band or a DJ, the musical preferences of your guests should be factored into your judgment, along with the theme and concept of your reception. Your guest list should serve as a guide to select the dinner and dance music for the age and peronalities of your guests. If you need help in this regard, the band leader or DJ is an excellent resource to help you decide what is appropriate.

A special song for the first dance should be selected and given to the band leader or DJ at least a month prior to your event. Many bands and DJs have a list of wedding songs they perform for the first dance. If your song doesn't appear on their list, the band may be willing to learn the selection, or a recording may be played through the band's sound equipment.

A master of ceremonies will provide the direction for your event. It's important that you are able to speak with the MC before you sign your contract to get an idea of his or her experience and personality. The selection of an MC is a subjective choice. Musicians and DJs are equally talented in this department, however, your selection will depend on the entertainment value you place on your main speaker. After your selection, the MC will need a complete timeline of the reception. Every wedding reception is composed of roughly the same events, such as the toast, the first dance, the tossing of the garter and bouquet and the cutting of the cake.

After you select the musicians or DJ you are comfortable with, you might consider inviting talented members of your family or immediate friends to sing or play at your reception to provide a personal touch. It's best to help them pick a selectcion they are comfortable with and one that fits the theme and style of your reception. Prerecorded music is acceptable as background. Check with the band leader or DJ at least a month before your event to coordinate any special performances.

Along with music selection, it's best to coordinate with your band leader or DJ the arrangement of necessary equipment needed for set up. A diagram of the event area is helpful, along with the entrances where equipment can be loaded into the building. The locale of the stage should be noted, along with the location of electrical outlets.

With all aspects of your planning, remember that your musicians or DJ are professionals and will be able to suggest what will work or not work at your reception. At Stage One Promotions, that's what we do best.

More planning tips from Stage One

1. Ask family and friends to give you an unbiased opinion on what they liked at the last reception they attended.

2. Listen to a band or DJ before you book them.

3. Match the music to your event. If you are having a large or small gathering, a traditional or contemporary reception, your band or DJ should be able to accommodate the right sound for the event.

4. Be sure your contract includes everything in writing, such as the wedding date and location, the hours the music will be played, and the number of breaks if applicable.

5. Plan ahead if you think you might need the musicians for overtime. Typically, an event lasts four hours. If the event is in the afternoon, you might want to think about contracting for an extra hour to guarantee the band’s availability since many bands have nighttime engagements.

6. Make a “do-not play list" and put those song titles in writing, along with any musical genre you don’t prefer.

7. Try and think of other songs you might want during special times during the night, such as during the garter/bouquet toss and the cutting of the cake.

8. For prerecorded music, make detailed instructions for the band or DJ to follow, such as noting the song title and the track number of the song you want, as well as what event it is scheduled for.

9. Talk to your band leader or DJ about what style of dress you expect, and the color theme of your reception.

10. Talk to your future spouse about special toasts or thank you’s to make during the reception. Make a list of people to mention and their participation.

Most of all.have fun!