Here is so much to think about on your special day and it is easy to overlook
something so here are some hints / suggestions for you to consider
with regards to your music requirements:
Choose a suitable type of music for your venue or a suitable venue for the style of music.
Most clients tend to have their venue chosen long before they consider their music requirements
and with the large number of boutique wedding venues around you can suddenly find yourself
very restricted in the style and type of music you are allowed. Most if not all suburban settings
will have noise restrictions in place and will require a finishing time of 11.00 to 12.00 pm.
Also space will be restricted, live bands will need space for a drum kit, the guitarists
amplifiers, the pa system and the performers and if the rooms to small the sound level may be
uncomfortable to listen to.
Think of your guest’s musical tastes.
You can guarantee you will both be very busy getting round
your guests catching up with people you haven’t seen so think not just of your own musical
preferences but the people who will be making the most of the entertainment you have provided
them. (I have yet to see a bride and groom make it to the dance floor more than a couple of times)
Band Setup.
There is nothing worse than watching a band setup during dinner or worse still having
to move guests from a table so the band can setup. Ensure they have adequate space and time before
the guests arrive to setup and do a sound check to ensure the playing level is suitable for the
room. This should also provide a means for background dinner music to be played via cd. Every
room has entirely different sound characteristics a professional band or sound person will adjust
their system to optimise it for that particular room during a sound check. This makes the
performance more enjoyable to listen to for everyone in front of the speakers.
Larger or outdoor venues will require a more powerful PA system make sure the band has suitable
equipment for the setting.
Photo Time.
While you and the wedding party are taking photos think about some music for the
guests who will generally head to the reception venue. Perhaps some background music on cd if
your venue has this facility or of the band has setup can they organise this? For a garden
setting perhaps a harpist, string quartet or solo guitarist? If you can use the performers
from the band you may save over having another musician attend the venue.
Speeches.
You will undoubtedly have a variety of speakers from the strong to the quietly spoken
and nervous. A microphone will help to ensure no one misses out on that well thought out joke
or heartfelt comment. Even in a small room ambient noises can easily drown out a speaker. A
wireless microphone is extremely useful in this situation as it can be passed easily between
speakers and taken to someone should they not wish or be able to get to the head table. Ask
all speakers to hold the microphone close to the mouth and make sure its been tested in all
areas of the room so that it doesn’t feedback or drop out anywhere.
How long do we need the band for?
If you are seating your guests for dinner at 6 and have to
be out of the venue by 12 you will be lucky to need the band for more than 3 hours. It may sound
cliche but very few weddings run to time. Allow 15 minutes to half an hour and then at least 2 to
2 ? hours for dinner and speeches. Most bands will perform for 45 minutes to one hour then take
a 15 minute break.
Consider spreading the speeches between dinner courses especially when there are a few to get
through. This will help you keep to your time schedule and no one gets restless sitting through
an hour of speeches. Working out how much time you realistically have for the band and hiring
them for this time period may well save you money.
Delegate.
If payment for the entertainment is to be made on the night have a friend or relative
pass an envelope to the band at an appropriate time. It’s one less thing for you to worry about
and it’s embarrassing for the performer to have to ask for payment at the end of the night or
try to find the appropriate person at 1am.
Dancefloor.
Most venues will supply a dance floor or have one already likewise if your hiring
a marquee you can add a dance floor. Make sure there is enough room for at least. 1/3 of your
guests and for the band to setup on as they will not want to setup there expensive electronic
gear on the grass.
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