The sound of music
Cathy Sobocan
From the romantic entrance to the last dance, your reception music should be filled with the magic and rhythm of your day. Whether you’re planning a casual party in your backyard or a formal white-glove affair, tune into the tips below to decide between a DJ or a band.
The High Notes The DJ offers flexibility and can play a greater range of music from salsa, to Seventies to Eminem. With thousands of CDs at hand, he can pull together a great play list of the original versions of your favorite songs. A band offers brilliant live music with great stage presence. The musicians can learn special material that’s not found on CDs or on sheet music. However, they have a limited variety of styles.
They Do What They Do-Whop-A-Doo Less formal than a band, the DJ can teach line-dancing as part of the entertainment. The music plays continuously throughout the party because this professional doesn’t take breaks. Many DJs are also trained emcees and coordinators who will work with the wedding consultant on pacing the event from the father/daughter dance to the bouquet throw. The latest trend is for a bride to hire two DJs - one to concentrate on the music, the other to MC and lead group dances. Clearly, there’s something very special about having live musicians play at your wedding. According to wedding consultant Tina Hook, director of the Independent Wedding Consultants of America, “In addition to a male and female singer, nowadays a great wedding band will have six to nine pieces including a brass, keyboard and strings section. An acoustic piano or guitar player can keep the music alive when the rest of the band breaks.”
Location, Location, Location
The location size is not critical with a DJ, whose equipment is easily adapted to almost any room. However, if your heart is set on an outdoor setting, you need to discuss the details with him. While he may be able to work in a sheltered garden, he may not be able to compete with the roar of the ocean.
Meanwhile, when it comes to choosing a band, the size and setting of your reception site has a definite influence. According to Barbara Rothstein and Gloria Sklerov, authors of How to Set Your Wedding to Music, “If you want to have a large band, especially one with a huge horn section, make sure you have a large room, filled with at least 150 to 175 people. “Like a DJ, the band can perform outdoors, but may be limited by the particular conditions. Make sure you discuss the specifics before signing on the dotted line.
Size Matters No doubt, a DJ can work his magic for any size crowd. He simply adjusts the volume accordingly. When it comes to a band, however, many experts set this general rule of thumb: there should be one musician for every 25 guests, with a minimum of four. A nine-piece band will drown out an intimate party of 50 but will work great for 300.
Where To Look Before You Book Be prepared to secure your musical entertainment twelve to eighteen months ahead of your wedding day. The most popular DJs and bands get hired for other events including birthdays, anniversaries, bar mitzvahs and corporate events, for example. To find the right DJ or band, check out those listed on this website. You can also get referrals from friends or wedding consultants.
One Final Note: Here are popular selections for the Bride/Groom first dance:
• Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel
• I’ll Always Love You by Taylor Dane
• Unforgettable by Irving Gordon
• Take My Breath Away by Berlin
• Endless Love by Diana Ross and
Lionel Richie
• We’ve Only Just Begun by Paul Williams
• With This Ring by The Platters
Father/Daughter Dance:
• My Heart Belongs to Daddy by
Cole Porter
• Sunrise, Sunset by Harnick and Bock
• Daddy’s Girl by Peter Cetera
• Daddy’s Hands by Holly Dunn
• What A Wonderful World
by Louis Armstrong
• My Girl by Smokey Robinson
and Ronald White
• Father’s Eyes by Amy Grant
Mother/Son Dance:
• You Are the Sunshine of My Life
by Stevie Wonder
• Wind Beneath My Wings
by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar
• Summer Wind by Mayer and Mercer
• Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart
• In My Life by The Beatles
• Close to You by The Carpenters
• You’re the Inspiration by Chicago
YOU’LL MAKE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC IF YOU:
•Create the entire song list. Specify the songs you want for the first dance, the father/daughter dance, garter toss, flower throw, etc. Make it easy on yourself by picking and choosing from the performers’ set list. Remember, a DJ will get a song for you and a band will learn one if it’s not on their list. Just ask.
•Consult with the DJ or band a month in advance of the big day and bring your song list.
•Tell your entertainer specifically what you don’t want to hear. For example, insist he nix the Chicken Dance.
•Are clear on MC duties - what, when, and whom you want introduced along with pronunciations of family members’ names.
•Decide on the music to be played during breaks. Dead air is not an option. Consider taped music or light piano playing.
•Remember to include meals for the entertainers. Just work it out in advance.
•Discuss the proper “dress.” If you’re having a black tie wedding, obviously you don’t want the DJ to show up in a Metallica T-shirt. Likewise, if you’re having a super-casual celebration, be sure that the band members don’t show up in tuxedos.
•Ask if the musicians you’ve met will be the ones attending your wedding.
•Find out if they have other engagements on your wedding day. If so, find out how they plan to juggle both commitments.
•Inquire about overtime charges. Now’s the time to negotiate.
•Discuss the rules for guests who ask to sing on stage to show off their musical abilities.
•Make sure you have a contract that specifies how long the band will be playing (excluding setup and breakdown time), how many breaks they’ll take and for how long, and the agreed-upon price.