Wedding and Event Music: A Guide
The months leading up to a wedding can be such a whirlwind of stress, focus and bliss. It was only a year ago that I was beginning my own wedding planning and there were several times in the process where the decision fatigue settled in and simple decisions like what I wanted to eat for lunch was overwhelming. Now that I’m on the other side of wedding planning and happily married, I am eager to give other brides some tools as they brainstorm the music for their wedding. Remember that this post aims to give you an overview of the process from the perspective of a professional musician and recent bride, so feel free to mix and match these ideas to best reflect you, your partner and the love you share. These days there is an endless range of options and I hope this gives you the means to find the perfect music group for your day and communicate clearly with them about your expectations and dreams for the day!
Who is going to play?
Like much of the wedding planning process, you will have to discuss with your partner what your priorities are in regards to music. If you have always dreams of having a timeless, elegant and classy affair, complete with a string quartet and “Canon in D”, this is the time to share that with your fiancé and see if your visions and budgets will align to make that happen. On the other hand, perhaps your partner has always envisioned a swing group for the reception, but is okay with streaming music from Spotify while they walk down the aisle. There are no right answers here, you simply want the music to reflect your relationship! With that being said, here are some common ways music is included in a wedding ceremony:
· String Quartet, Trio or Duet – Most often comprised of some mixture of violin, viola and cello, this group is well suited to a wide range of musical styles and tastes.
· Piano or Organ – A traditional choice and easy to coordinate if you are holding your ceremony in a venue with either instrument. Piano in particular can be adapted to perform a variety of styles as well.
· Swing Band – Oftentimes a swing band is the best choice if you are interested in having jazz music be part of your big day!
· DJ services – There are a variety of DJ styles available out there, but typically one person or team will provide a sound system, playlists and more for you. Often times they will emcee your event as well.
· Spotify/Music Streaming – This is the most cost effective option by far and what I used myself for my own reception. By crafting my playlist before the wedding and giving our friend the responsibility of emceeing, my husband and I were able to hear music we love and feel reflected our relationship for next to no cost.
What kind of budget do you have for music?
As a general rule, the more people your music for the day requires, the higher your budget should be. This means if you are hoping to get a full ten or fifteen piece jazz band for your reception, be prepared to pay in a way that each member of this group gets a fair rate. The rate that you are paying is not only for the day you see them, but also compensates for their music library use, time where the group rehearses before your event and more. Specific pay rates will also vary depending on where you are holding your wedding and this can also be impacted by the time of year you are holding your wedding. Keep these factors in mind as you do your research on musicians in your area. You may be connected with your musicians through local churches, officiants, music stores and schools – Feel free to shop around and find someone who makes you feel comfortable.
For those of you who are working with a tighter budget, I would also recommend touching base with your local colleges or universities and their music departments. Sometimes these locations have college students (or even students involved in a pre-college or preparatory program), that would be available for you at a discounted rate! This can be an easy way to cut some corners, but keep in mind what you’ll be saving in cost might come back in a lack of experience or knowledge about wedding traditions. Be prepared to express clear expectations for what your ceremony will look like, just in case.
What style of music do you want to hear on your big day?
If you are feeling a bit stuck about what to include on the big day’s set list, have no fear! I have put together a chart with some of the most popular requests I’ve played at weddings over the years. This can help get you brainstorming for additional and personal requests. For any of the songs below a simple Youtube or Spotify search can bring up an example of the tune and melody you can expect. Often times this can lead you down a path to finding similar songs that might match your style, too!
For couples who are feeling decision fatigue and only know the vibe of their ceremony or reception, it is enough to tell your musicians you want something more traditional and classical or something more modern and pop music influenced. For musicians who are playing for these events, we have been playing for a long time and often can flesh out a set list with pieces we’ve used in the past. This is an easy way to lighten your load if you are not particular about the music.
Advice for Coordinating with Your Musicians
Like most things, communication is key to have a happy and coordinated experience for all involved. Please be sure to give us all the information we need to do that.
Some quick tips to help things go smoothly are:
· Designate one person to be their contact person the day of your wedding. This can be a family member, close friend, bridesmaid, groomsmen… Anyone who will around for most of the day and can get a clear idea of what you have planned with the musicians before the big day.
· Share your timeline with your musicians, as well as any changes that have been made at the dress rehearsal. This is a task easily delegated to the contact person mentioned above.
· Read your musicians’ contract thoroughly once more a week or two before the ceremony. This is where they will share the specifics for what they expect and need from you to make the music in your ceremony a success. Be clear about their sightlines and cues. If they require weather coverage or chairs, please be prepared to provide those.
As a last note, remember that each group of musicians has completed years of practice, training and professional development before your event. We provide the space in their schedule for your big day because we truly want your wedding day or event to go smoothly and be enhanced by music. We love to share our work with you! A little appreciation and communication goes a long way and we are honored to have a part in these special memories and times.
For both musicians and future brides or grooms, please feel free to share your experiences in the comments below! Which of these tips have you used in the past? Is there something missing you always include in your own dealings? Let me hear about it!