Get The Party Started
Choosing the right music can set the tone for you and your guests on your wedding day. You want to be able to have fun, and shake it at your reception so be sure to choose accordingly. There are many choices when it comes to music with any budget in mind. Make sure to have relevant music to please all guests and get them up and moving, after all, this is a celebration!
BUDGET BUSTER: With todays economy, you want to be able to have awesome entertainment for minimal green, and make sure to know how much you are spending before signing your name to a contract. Interview many different candidates before deciding on one type of entertainment, and know that this is definitely what you are looking for. Book in advance so that you know they are reserved for your wedding, and there will be no worries on the big day. There are many choices for entertainment including a DJ, live band, an actual musical artist, or even an iPod. Make sure that your venue allows music to be played at their establishment, and if you need a permit or not. Some facilities require a certain permit, which your wedding planner or site supervisor can help you obtain.
THE DJ: When choosing the music for your wedding, if you are employing a DJ, make sure you get a high energy relevant DJ. Make sure they know the greatest hits, and even have a detailed list of what music you want played at your wedding. Ask for details as to how they play their music, and if they are going to mash up any songs. Talk to some recently married couples and ask who they used. Attend some bridal shows, and meet prospective DJ's. Have a high energy DJ, that can keep up with your guests, and who can get a feel for the crowd. If your crowd is loving the music that he/she is playing, don't change the type of music! Have fun, get up and start dancing!
THE LIVE BAND: A live band can be classy, and timeless and very different from the typical DJ that is used. Live bands create an atmosphere of beauty and elegance that is not typically used in wedding receptions. With a live band, you are employing a local artist or group of artists that have different talents, and have performed for a number of different events. Be sure to attend either an audition or a show of the live band you are using, so that you know how they sound and if they will be able to get your guests moving or not. Ask what type of experience they have, and where have they performed before. Know the members of the band, and make sure they are all a full time part of the band. Know the costs for the entire event, and make sure it is broken down for you.
THE POPULAR MUSICIAN: If money is no object, feel free to ask your favorite performer to perform at your wedding. For example, if Michael Buble is your favorite singer and you want him to perform one of his hits at your wedding, you can't just give him a call. First, you have to go through an entertainment agency, and request that the artist's management company contact you. Another route of getting in touch with the artist is to go on their website, and look at the Press tab, or by looking for the artists agent, booking agent or even manager. One way or another, if you are willing to pay the right amount of money, you just might get your favorite singer at your wedding! Good luck!
THE IPOD: This type of entertainment is the most budget friendly of all music entertainment. Download (legally) all of the music that you want played at your wedding, and have it in order to play at the reception. Have a backup laptop at the ready for ease of use and if the iPod happens to fail. Enlist one of your friends to emcee the wedding, so that at key dances you are announced properly. While this can be a huge savings, there are a couple of downsides to using this type of entertainment. You will need some key pieces of equipment that can be rented for a fee, so weigh the options. You will need someone to pick up the equipment needed and someone to break down the equipment and return it to the rental company, which can be a major inconvenience to whomever is doing this for you. This type can be a very budget friendly option, but only done with the right equipment, and the right rental company. If your venue already has the equipment, this is the perfect alternative to the DJ or live band.
THE BUDGET: Budgeting for entertainment needs to be relevant to your overall budget for the wedding, and a must in your plans. Fees can be based on many different factors including time, day of the week, and where it might be performed. Another fee might be travel time, and if there are more than one performer working at the reception. Think of it simply, if you have more than one person performing, you will be paying more. Music fees can be as low as $400 and sky rocket from there. Music is entirely up to you, so choose accordingly and you can't go wrong.
BEST PARTY SONGS: Some of the best party songs to get the party started are designed to get you up and dancing, and get pumped for dancing the night away! Some of the best songs include: “I Gotta Feeling,” by the Black Eyed Peas, “Right Round,” by Flo Rida featuring Kesha, “Get the Party Started,” by Pink, “Back in Time,” by Pit Bull, and even “Dance Again,” by Jennifer Lopez. Think about all of your guests when selecting music for your wedding; you want music to appeal to all ages, to make your guests get up and dance.
THE FINAL TIP: As the married couple, you have certain dances that your Emcee needs to know about in advance so provide them with a detailed list for the father/daughter dance, mother/son dance, the first dance and the last dance. Make sure that you have some of the most current and exciting tracks playing at the end of the night when you serve your late night snacks to keep the party going. Have fun selecting music for the reception, maybe even show some moves that your family or friends may not even know that you have!
