Music

Matrimonial Melodies

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:37:00 GMT

Imagine your guests sitting around, strumming their fingers on the tabletops. The bridesmaids are twirling their hair and the dance floor is empty. To avoid this reception blunder take the advice of local experts who agree that taking note of your guests’ ideas of an entertaining evening is more important than your own.

Crowd-pleasing Melodies

While staying mainstream may seem boring, it may actually be the best way to keep your vast guest list content. “I wouldn’t go with anything trendy,” says Casey Lee, event planner, ShowStoppers Talent Agency. “You want your guest to have fun and you want to play songs that everyone will recognize and that young and old people would enjoy.”

Entertainer Jack Garrett agrees. “I think it’s very important that you try to satisfy a wide variety of age groups,” he notes. “At most receptions you have older members of the family too and some couples tend to want this big party bash, but the older members of your family are just as important and if you have music played or performed for them, they’ll stay around longer.”

This doesn’t mean that you can’t show your personal style or music taste. Lee suggests playing a few songs that pertain to you and your spouse-to-be but keep in mind that you want to make sure your guests are having a good time. If you really want to play a particular song that you dearly love or one that is not danceable, do it during dinner.

To play it safe, Garrett notes that using the classic standards will always satisfy. “Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, this style of music is never ever going to go away and more and more brides are getting hip to that era of music,” says Garrett. “But I still feel it’s important to play some Jay-Z and Usher.”

Going Live

No matter what genre you choose, there’s no better way to get your guests energized about your union than with live entertainment. “Your reception isn’t just any party,” Garrett points out.

Personal interaction with you and your guests is the best advantage of live musicians. “Live musicians are responsive to your guests and to what is going on at that very moment,” says Holly Pratt, harpist and director of Lyrica. “And they are able to do this in a very personable way.”

When considering whether you want a soloist, ensemble or big band for your ceremony or reception, Linda Grieser, harpist and consultant, Adagio Trio, suggests considering whether there will be dancing at your reception, the level and type of music you want during dinner and what overall feel you want to have. “Live musicians add a touch of class to the reception,” says Grieser, “and most people don’t hear live music very much.”

Cue the Consultant

A consultation can help ease your tune troubles. “We know the questions to ask that they haven’t even thought of yet,” Pratt says. Making the time for a consultation before your wedding will help give your musicians a clear picture of your tastes and preferences. “We don’t require them to choose every single tune that will be played, although theoretically they could if they wanted to, they can have as much input as they want or they can give us guidelines and we work within that to choose a pleasing song list for the evening,” Pratt says.

Garrett offers a deejay service with all of his live music packages so popular hits can be incorporated into the night. “Deejays have a place in the evening,” notes Garrett. “For instance, I am not going to sing the “Electric Slide.” If you want to hear songs exactly as they were recorded, Pratt recommends hiring a deejay.

“Obviously you aren’t going to get the original artists the way you would with a CD when choosing to use live music.” Pratt has seen some of her clients choose to use live music during dinner and cocktails, then bring in a deejay for later.

If you are having trouble narrowing your song list Garrett suggests choosing a theme. “An average event is four hours. You can only do about 15 songs an hour and that’s if nobody spoke.” He also suggests finding out what song your parents danced to for their first dance or having a one-of-a-kind arrangement made.

When planning your entertainment there are a few things to keep in mind. Your budget can help you determine whether to hire live musicians or opt for a deejay. “Choosing a deejay can help out if you are on a tight budget and want more variety,” Lee says. Live music can set you back a little more than a deejay but you are also getting visual appeal and a more energetic atmosphere. “It depends on a person’s budget and what they’re thinking they want to spend on music,” says Grieser, “but I think definitely having live musicians is a plus and adds another element to the reception.”

If you want to use live music, most groups will send you a demo CD or have audio samples on their Web sites. “Sometimes people will come to weddings we are playing at to hear what we sound like,” suggests Grieser. If you still are unable to commit, ask for references you can call so you know what to expect.

Once you’ve made your decision don’t delay! Many bands play at weddings and events all over the country, so reserving your date as soon as possible will guarantee your spot.

Whether you choose live musicians or a deejay service, it’s important to keep them informed when it comes to your master of ceremonies’ needs so when it’s time to cut the cake your guests will know when to duck. “Some bands can emcee and some just show up and play music,” Garrett says.

While the bride already has a million things to do before the big day, musical styling shouldn’t get tossed to the side. “The top three things for a reception are the location, the food and the entertainment,” Garrett says. Once you have those covered you’ll be ready to dance the night away!

In Perfect Harmony

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:51:00 GMT

For most couples musical entertainment starts at the ceremony.

“Live music in a ceremony is essential,” says Holly Pratt, harpist and director of Lyrica. For some people, the ceremony, even if they’re not having it in a religious sanctuary, they are still trying to get the sense that it is still sacred and live music really helps convey that.”

Linda Grieser, harpist and consultant for the Adagio Trio, agrees, “Having recorded music at a ceremony is not recommended. In fact, it’s very unusual.”

Selecting songs for your wedding reception is never an arduous task. Just pick out a few popular dance tracks and sing-a-longs, throw in a few classics that everyone loves, add the newest top-40 single and you're basically there.

Choosing the music for your ceremony, however, is a completely different story. Fortunately, you won't have to go it alone.

"It is important to trust the expertise of the musicians to help you plan what music is appropriate for the type of wedding you are having," Grieser says.The group that performs at your wedding ceremony can provide the best advice about which songs are most appropriate.

"Variables such as whether the wedding is inside or outside, in a particular church or synagogue, the type of musical group playing, or whether there is a blending of cultures, all affect the music selections," Grieser says.

As you work with live musicians to plan your ceremony soundtrack, beware of the guidelines set out by your venue. “In a religious sanctuary sometimes there are guidelines and rules that the musicians will need to be aware of,” Pratt says. “Within the Roman Catholic Church or within the Synagogue or within another religious sanctuary, we are very careful about what we choose.”

Most ensembles that perform at wedding ceremonies will provide demos or lists of music from which to choose. To help you get started, Grieser and the Adagio Trio offer this list of their most popular wedding day melodies.

Processionals

Cannon in D
Pachelbel

Trumpet Voluntary
Clarke

Te Deum Processional
Charpentier

Bridal Chorus
Wagner

Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Rachmaninoff

Recessionals

Wedding March from Lohengrin
Mendelssohn

Hornpipe from Water Music
Handel

Suites de Symphonies
Mouret

Jewish Ceremony Processionals

Erev Shel Shoshanim
Hadar

Erev Ba
Avissar

Dodi Li
Sher

Jewish Ceremony Recessionals

Dodi Li
Chen

Siman Tov
Traditional

Christian Ceremonies

Jesus Joy of Man's Desiring
J.S. Bach

In This Very Room
Harris

The Prayer
Sager and Foster

Music Matters

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:32:00 GMT

Planning the music for your wedding entails more than simply picking out some of your favorite songs. It involves deciding whether to have a musician at the ceremony, a live band or DJ or both at the reception, what genre (or genres) of music will be played, and most importantly, how much of your wedding budget you want to dedicate to music. Thankfully, there are a wide variety of music options to create an unforgettable event.

Budget Conscious

Couples working with a smaller budget allocated to music may be concerned they will have fewer options to choose from, but there are ways to incorporate music into your ceremony and reception without breaking the bank.

A new trend in wedding music is emerging with the advent of iPods and other portable music players, which provide a do-it-yourself, affordable option.

The use of MP3 players is becoming increasingly popular in weddings with any size budget. “Certainly, you have more options with a bigger budget,” says Brigid Horne-Nestor, i-do Weddings & Events. “[But] the iPod is something even brides with higher budgets are using.”

Local musician and founder of Rent My Gear, Nicholas Radina, agrees that “iPod weddings” are growing in popularity and are acceptable to wedding guests. For $299, Radina delivers a professional quality, easy-to-use sound system, complete with wireless microphone. The system is small and discreet, but produces a sound to accommodate parties of as many as 250 guests.

“I’m not trying to replace a band or DJ,” Radina says. “It’s for people who are trying to save money or be unique.”

Midline Budget

If your music budget is somewhere in the middle, a live band or DJ are good options. Many agencies can provide a variety of entertainers, making it easy to find a band that fits your needs. “Live music allows for interaction, which is key,” says Casey Lee, event planner at Showstoppers Talent Agency. Yet, all that live interaction comes with a price.

According to Linda Grieser, harpist and consultant for the Adagio Trio, which also includes a flutist and cellist, adding an instrumental group to your special day can add a unique, elegant touch. Grieser says she works with a number of local musicians, so clients can also substitute or add additional instruments, or a vocalist, to the lineup.

Grieser says the trio plays anything from classical to modern selections and can play at the ceremony, reception, or both. “I try to work with a person and their budget and help them find what they need,” Grieser adds.

Some entertainers offer DJ services along with their live entertainment, such as Jack Garrett of Jack Garrett Productions. The local crooner provides couples with a variety of choices ranging from a trio to a 24-piece orchestra, with a DJ at no additional cost to keep the party going during breaks. “The DJ is really a supplement to the live music,” Garrett adds.

Top-Tier Budget

When music is a priority on your wedding budget, musical selections should stand out during each moment of the big day. Try adding special touches such as hiring an instrumental group to perform at the ceremony and during the cocktail hour, or featuring multiple bands at the reception.

High Notes

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:07:00 GMT

Imagine the opening sequence from your favorite movie or TV show—one of those sweet stories where a young couple meets and falls in love as a joyful piano melody plays in the background. Next, some drama, and the drums swell. Finally the romantic reunion, accompanied by a sweet, soulful violin refrain.

Hollywood knows that entertainment wouldn’t strike the same emotional chord without a soundtrack, and neither will your wedding. Nothing gets the tears flowing at a ceremony, or keeps the guests celebrating late into the night, like beautiful music.

Going with the Flow

Given the latest technological advances, you may be tempted to be your own music director. Your iPod’s already loaded with thousands of your favorite songs…why not just hook it up to a set of speakers? Resist the urge.

“Nothing gets the crowd involved and energized like live music,” says Casey Jones, event planner with ShowStoppers Talent Agency. “A live band can ‘read’ a crowd and interact with guests—that’s something an iPod certainly cannot do!”

Whether you hire live musicians or a professional deejay, you’re getting real people who can adjust the music selections according to how well the crowd is responding. Did “Come On Eileen” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners fill the dance floor? They’ll play some more ‘80s tunes. If Neil Diamond isn’t thrilling your guests, you won’t hear him again.

The iPod, on the other hand, gives you little flexibility. “If the guests do not like the selections on the iPod, at the end of the evening you’re likely to have very few people left,” says Mark McFadden of McFadden Music.

And since we’re talking about technology, a deejay also provides technological expertise. You’ll probably have to rent a speaker system for the iPod, and what will you do if system has a problem?

“After the cost of an iPod and the cost of renting a system, how much more cost-effective is it than hiring a deejay?” McFadden notes.

Musicians say the impact of the personal interaction cannot be underestimated. At the ceremony, professional musicians can extend a piece of music if the flower girl took a few extra minutes walking down the aisle or if one of the bridesmaids was delayed by a last-minute dress alteration. They know how to finish gracefully at the right moment as the bride arrives at the altar.

“Live, professional musicians provide the ultimate in catering to your needs or to unexpected situations on the day of the ceremony,” says Daren Fuster, owner and violinist/violist of PRO ART Music.

At the reception, the interaction makes guests feel special, like they’re part of a one-of-a-kind event. “When the band plays a song you asked for, or amuses the young flower girl and ring bearer with an off-the-cuff rendition of a Disney tune, guests go home feeling like they really had fun,” says Holly Pratt, harpist and director of Lyrica.

Listen Up

When you’re ready to let go of your iPod, start listening to music from local bands and ensembles. Most will send you a demo CD with samples of dozens of songs from their repertoire. Use it first to hire the band you like, then you’ll want to go through it carefully to choose songs for each part of the wedding.

You’re not obligated to choose songs from the CD, however; if given enough time, most musicians will gladly accommodate requests. Catalogs change often as new songs gain in popularity and standbys change with the times.

In fact, musicians say brides and grooms are customizing their song selections more than ever before. Musicians and deejays are starting to get requests for more nontraditional ceremony music, such as “Collide” by Howie Day and “Better Together” by Jack Johnson.

They’re also researching songs and putting more effort into their wedding entertainment. “A good trend is that people are hiring their musicians and planning their music much earlier,” says Linda Grieser, harpist in Adagio Trio. (Because waiting to the last minute to plan the music puts undue stress on the couple and the musicians, Grieser requests that music selections be finalized two months before the wedding.)

Customization is good, but be open to learn from the experience and expertise of your musicians. They can tell you, for example, if you’ve picked a piece with a long introduction that won’t work with your church’s very short aisle, or if your church will not allow secular music during ceremony.

Take care, too, that your efforts at personalization don’t leave your guests on the sidelines. The kind of music you enjoy listening to in bars is not likely to get the grandmas up and dancing.

“It’s important that you have a good mixture of music,” says Tim Powers, owner of Total Jam Powers, based in West Chester. He likes to vary genres while always keeping the couple’s favorite types of music in mind.

Music Consultants

Far more than just play music or cue up CDs, your entertainers serve as full-service music consultants.

“We are happy to work not only with the couple, but with anyone involved,” says Pratt from Lyrica. “We rehearse with the cousin who will sing a special song at the wedding, double-check details with the minister, rabbi or judge, consult with the wedding coordinator, coordinate with the manager of the reception site, and even make notes about parking.”

If you’re hiring a deejay, he’ll also function as your Master of Ceremonies, making sure all the formalities happen at a timely moment and keeping the reception on schedule. You’ll work with your deejay to plan your wedding’s order of events and to determine what type of deejay “personality” will best suit your guests.

“That’s a big part of our job as wedding professionals, to help the couple plan the reception from beginning to end,” McFadden says.

Musicians will advise you on how to create the right sound for your particular venue. They’ll know, for example, if three instruments are enough in your church or if you might want to add a couple of strings. They’ll automatically adjust their sound if, say, your garden ceremony is moved indoors because of inclement weather. And they’ll know where to position their instruments in the room to achieve the best acoustical impact.

“The night goes by so quickly,” says Powers. “I try to take all the worry out so that couples can relax and celebrate.”