Wedding Music – Top 10 Tips by Scott Simpkins
1. Consider the Acoustics
The size and type of music vendor you select for your wedding reception depends a great deal on where the reception will be held. A lavish formal reception will suit the classic jazz sounds of a big band, whereas a solo violin would be drowned out in a large venue where there are lots of people talking. Jazz big bands however do not lend themselves very well to an intimate garden cocktail wedding for 70 people. For smaller events you would be better off considering a swinging blues trio or quartet.
Brides often forget to ask of their reception venues whether noise restrictions apply (also a factor for backyard home weddings). If you are getting married in a public place such as a park you will need to find out whether you are even allowed to have amplified music.
2. Hear the Band Before You Book Them
This is a top tip, and a factor which many brides are unaware of until it’s too late. It will put your mind at ease about the wedding if you can meet up with the Band Leader to discuss your wedding reception over a personalized consultation. You also really want to not only SEE but more importantly HEAR the band. Don’t rely on website photos or recordings alone, as these can sometimes be decades old and the Band Leader might hire different musicians for your day. Most reputable bands have regular open sessions, usually held on a weeknight where you can go along and hear what they sound like in real life. You need to do this BEFORE signing any contracts. If the band does not have open sessions make sure they send you a video and/or CD of the particular lineup you’re interested in hiring. For instance they may send you a CD of a 20-piece big band and you are interested in a Jazz Trio with vocalist. You need to make sure you are given an accurate sample.
3. Select Songs for ALL the Formalities
Couples go over and over the song choices for their first dance, but often neglect to select songs for the rest of the night’s formalities such as the bouquet toss, garter toss, entrance as husband and wife, exit from the reception, cake cutting, and the list goes on! While it can be a chore to settle on all these songs it can really personalize the wedding for the guests, and it can give couples a chance to have fun with the music as well. For example you may like to have Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’ for the bouquet toss.
4. Don’t Make the Mistake of Hiring Hobby Musicians
Check their credentials and testimonials. If they are not full time professional musicians they’re unlikely to be good enough entertainers for your wedding reception. The last thing you want is a band comprised of accountants and bank managers who enjoy moonlighting as hobby musicians. Every one of the musicians in the band should have tertiary qualifications in music performance, from a reputable university such as The Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
5. Get it in Writing!
This is a really important point not to be overlooked by bride-to-be’s. You MUST get everything in written word and retain a copy for your files. Good bands will supply you with a contract that is signed by both parties and stipulates all the details an specifications to make your wedding reception runs smoothly. This includes the wedding date and location, timings, names and contact information of musicians, the number of hours they have been hired to play, the length and number of breaks they will be taking, agreed total price (less any deposit required to secure the booking) etc. Make sure you give the Band Leader the mobile phone number of your Best Man or a family member in case they run into any difficulties on the day and need to get in contact with the wedding party.
6. Wedding Appropriate Attire
Because there’s nothing worse than a sloppy and casually dressed DJ! Don’t forget to discuss with your music vendor what they plan on wearing. Jazz bands usually dress for the occasion, anything from black tie to all black. And you would be surprised the number of times bands get asked to dress in 1920’s Jazz Age attire. It can be a fun way of tying the theme of your wedding together with the entertainment.
7. Ask Friends & Family for Recs
Consult those close to you and find out if they’ve attended any weddings recently with amazing music. This can be a really useful resource and can save you time researching different music vendors on the net.
8. Select Appropriate Music
Select songs that reflect you as a couple, not what you think guests would want to hear. Think of songs that have special meaning for the two of you, such as the song that was playing during your first kiss, or the song you heard on the radio on your first date. If it has significance to you both, guests will pick up on that special meaning even if it is unspoken.
9. Name Your Playlists
If you’re diy-ing with an i pod Playlist make sure to label the playlists clearly, for example ‘First Dance Song’ and have only that song in the playlist. This makes is really clear for whoever is in charge of hitting play, whether that be someone from the band or a family member. It’s also a good idea to write down the names of the playlists on the run sheet you give to vendors. For example you write ‘8.30pm – band to press play on i pod playlist BOUQUET TOSS SONG. Remember to charge your i pod prior to the day, take the required cable adapters to plug into the audio system, and have a backup with identical playlists on it in case one fails.
10. The ‘Do Not Play’ List
This is more for brides who are going with a DJ than a band, this is almost as important as the Playlist. It’s important to be upfront and straightforward with the DJ that you simply do not want such and such an artist or style of music played at your wedding reception. For instance if it is a formal black tie affair you may not wish to bring down the town of the evening by playing Salt n Peppa’s ‘Let’s Talk About Sex’, or if you have a particular dislike of say country and western music, or House music it’s important to inform the DJ of this from the start.
About the Author
The author of this article, Scott Simpkins, is the Founder and Musical Director of JAZZ FEVER.
Jazz Fever is Sydney’s #1 Wedding Band. With over 10 years experience they have extablished themselves as recognized in wedding industry experts.
To find out more, head to their website: http://www.jazzfever.com.au/
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101 Popular Songs * Solos & Duets For Flute (Book and CD) $28.45 Santorella Publications is proud to present 101 Popular Songs for Flute.After countless requests we have brought it all together under one roof. It has been decades since a brass or reed player could find so many recognizable songs, from assorted genres in a single collection.Also available in accommodating keys for Trumpet, Clarinet, Alto Sax & Trombone in both solo & duet forms.101 Popular Songs includes a variety of well-known Original Classics, Wedding Classics, Sacred Hymns, Patriotic Songs, Jazz Standards & Christmas Carols. Each edition includes three (3) Piano Accompaniment CDs with over 100 tracks including classical & jazz duets. Every horn player will have a unique opportunity to play along with the greatest studio musicians in Los Angeles. Each edition is geared towards a particular instrument in the Classical & Jazz Duets sections which is recorded in a music minus one fashion.Little Cradle Song Tell Me Fair Ladies The Organ Grinder Allegro, Mozart Minuet, J.S. Bach Andante, Mozart Russian Song Aria, J.S. Bach Serenade German Dance, Haydn Gavotte Old French Song Turkish March Andante, Haydn Flight Of The Bumblebee A Little Piece Bouree Symphony No. 40 Allegretto Spinning Song Bridal Chorus Wedding March Ave Maria, Schubert Jesu Joy of Mans Desiring Pachelbels Canon Ode to Joy Simple Gifts Trumpet Voluntary Two Minuets Ave Maria, Bach Moonlight Sonata Nearer My God To Thee Fairest Lord Jesus Rock of Ages Holy, Holy, Holy Faith of Our Fathers The Little Brown Church in the Vale A Mighty Fortress is Our God Abide With Me The Lord is My Shepherd Bringing in The Sheaves Jesus Loves Me Eternal Father Strong To Save (Navy Hymn) He Leadeth Me Stand Up For Jesus America the Beautiful Amazing Grace When Johnny Comes Marching Home Hail to the Chief Youre a Grand Old Flag Marines Hymn Dixie Battle Hymn of the Republic Pomp and Circumstance Yankee Doodle America, My Country Tis of Thee Wash |
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101 Popular Songs * Solos & Duets For Trumpet (Book and CD) $28.45 Santorella Publications is proud to present 101 Popular Songs for Trumpet.After countless requests we have brought it all together under one roof. It has been decades since a brass or reed player could find so many recognizable songs, from assorted genres in a single collection.Also available in accommodating keys for Clarinet, Flute, Alto Sax & Trombone in both solo & duet forms.101 Popular Songs includes a variety of well-known Original Classics, Wedding Classics, Sacred Hymns, Patriotic Songs, Jazz Standards & Christmas Carols. Each edition includes three (3) Piano Accompaniment CDs with over 100 tracks including classical & jazz duets. Every horn player will have a unique opportunity to play along with the greatest studio musicians in Los Angeles. Each edition is geared towards a particular instrument in the Classical & Jazz Duets sections which is recorded in a music minus one fashion.Little Cradle Song Tell Me Fair Ladies The Organ Grinder Allegro, Mozart Minuet, J.S. Bach Andante, Mozart Russian Song Aria, J.S. Bach Serenade German Dance, Haydn Gavotte Old French Song Turkish March Andante, Haydn Flight Of The Bumblebee A Little Piece Bouree Symphony No. 40 Allegretto Spinning Song Bridal Chorus Wedding March Ave Maria, Schubert Jesu Joy of Mans Desiring Pachelbels Canon Ode to Joy Simple Gifts Trumpet Voluntary Two Minuets Ave Maria, Bach Moonlight Sonata Nearer My God To Thee Fairest Lord Jesus Rock of Ages Holy, Holy, Holy Faith of Our Fathers The Little Brown Church in the Vale A Mighty Fortress is Our God Abide With Me The Lord is My Shepherd Bringing in The Sheaves Jesus Loves Me Eternal Father Strong To Save (Navy Hymn) He Leadeth Me Stand Up For Jesus America the Beautiful Amazing Grace When Johnny Comes Marching Home Hail to the Chief Youre a Grand Old Flag Marines Hymn Dixie Battle Hymn of the Republic Pomp and Circumstance Yankee Doodle America, My Country Tis of Thee Wash |
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12 Wedding Songs: Medium Voice and Guitar $5 Used – A practical collection of music chosen particularly for the wedding, in new arrangements designed to flatter voice with fingerstyle guitar accompaniment. The collection combines classical, traditional and popular selections. The guitar part is presented in both standard notation and tablature. Contents: Annie’s Song * Ave Maria (Schubert) * The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face * Here, There and Everywhere * I Swear * If * In My Life * Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring * Let It Be Me * Unchained |
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12 Wedding Songs: Medium Voice and Guitar $5.05 Used – A practical collection of music chosen particularly for the wedding, in new arrangements designed to flatter voice with fingerstyle guitar accompaniment. The collection combines classical, traditional and popular selections. The guitar part is presented in both standard notation and tablature. Contents: Annie’s Song * Ave Maria (Schubert) * The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face * Here, There and Everywhere * I Swear * If * In My Life * Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring * Let It Be Me * Unchained |
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12 Wedding Songs: Medium Voice and Guitar $126.86 New – A practical collection of music chosen particularly for the wedding, in new arrangements designed to flatter voice with fingerstyle guitar accompaniment. The collection combines classical, traditional and popular selections. The guitar part is presented in both standard notation and tablature. Contents: Annie’s Song * Ave Maria (Schubert) * The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face * Here, There and Everywhere * I Swear * If * In My Life * Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring * Let It Be Me * Unchained M |
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12 Wedding Songs: Medium Voice and Guitar $0.99 Used – A practical collection of music chosen particularly for the wedding, in new arrangements designed to flatter voice with fingerstyle guitar accompaniment. The collection combines classical, traditional and popular selections. The guitar part is presented in both standard notation and tablature. Contents: Annie’s Song * Ave Maria (Schubert) * The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face * Here, There and Everywhere * I Swear * If * In My Life * Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring * Let It Be Me * Unchained |
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12 Wedding Songs: Medium Voice and Guitar $5.01 Used – A practical collection of music chosen particularly for the wedding, in new arrangements designed to flatter voice with fingerstyle guitar accompaniment. The collection combines classical, traditional and popular selections. The guitar part is presented in both standard notation and tablature. Contents: Annie’s Song * Ave Maria (Schubert) * The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face * Here, There and Everywhere * I Swear * If * In My Life * Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring * Let It Be Me * Unchained |
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12 Wedding Songs: Medium Voice and Guitar $79.35 Used – A practical collection of music chosen particularly for the wedding, in new arrangements designed to flatter voice with fingerstyle guitar accompaniment. The collection combines classical, traditional and popular selections. The guitar part is presented in both standard notation and tablature. Contents: Annie’s Song * Ave Maria (Schubert) * The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face * Here, There and Everywhere * I Swear * If * In My Life * Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring * Let It Be Me * Unchained |
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12 Wedding Songs: Medium Voice and Guitar $85.24 New – A practical collection of music chosen particularly for the wedding, in new arrangements designed to flatter voice with fingerstyle guitar accompaniment. The collection combines classical, traditional and popular selections. The guitar part is presented in both standard notation and tablature. Contents: Annie’s Song * Ave Maria (Schubert) * The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face * Here, There and Everywhere * I Swear * If * In My Life * Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring * Let It Be Me * Unchained M |
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12 Wedding Songs: Medium Voice and Guitar $0.99 Used – A practical collection of music chosen particularly for the wedding, in new arrangements designed to flatter voice with fingerstyle guitar accompaniment. The collection combines classical, traditional and popular selections. The guitar part is presented in both standard notation and tablature. Contents: Annie’s Song * Ave Maria (Schubert) * The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face * Here, There and Everywhere * I Swear * If * In My Life * Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring * Let It Be Me * Unchained |
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12 Wedding Songs: Medium Voice and Guitar $0.99 Used – A practical collection of music chosen particularly for the wedding, in new arrangements designed to flatter voice with fingerstyle guitar accompaniment. The collection combines classical, traditional and popular selections. The guitar part is presented in both standard notation and tablature. Contents: Annie’s Song * Ave Maria (Schubert) * The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face * Here, There and Everywhere * I Swear * If * In My Life * Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring * Let It Be Me * Unchained |