What You Need To Know About Wedding Music

If you are planning a wedding in the near future, one of the most important things is going to be the music. Music adds a special touch to any wedding ceremony and you will want to make sure that you pick out great music and have it performed by great performers as well. When you are choosing and organizing music for your wedding, you will want to choose your songs first, and then you can work on finding the musicians and DJs to perform or play the music that you have selected for your wedding.

Music Selection

Before you start worrying about musicians and DJs, you will need to decide on the songs and styles of music that you want to be in your wedding. You should consider both wedding selections for your ceremony and for your wedding reception. When choosing music for your ceremony, you will want to consider what type of wedding ceremony you are having. If you have decided to have a traditional church wedding, you may want to keep your music more conservative and in line with a formal religious wedding. On the other hand, if you are having a wedding that is not held in a religious type of setting, you will be more free to choose music that is not as conservative. If your wedding is being held in a church and you want to use secular music, make sure that the officiating minister or priest will allow it during the ceremony.

When choosing the actual songs that will be sung or played in your wedding, you will want to choose songs that have meaning to you and your fiance. Perhaps you and your fiance have a special song that is "your song". If so, you may want to include that song in your wedding. If you feel that the song is a bit too wild or contemporary for your wedding ceremony, then consider having it played or sung at the wedding reception, or you may even want to have it as the song for your very first dance. You will also want your wedding music to be unique, so steer clear of music that has been played at every other wedding you have attended.

Musicians for your Wedding

Another important part of organizing the music for your wedding is choosing musicians to play the music you have chosen. If you have a family member who is an excellent musician, you may want to have them play a piece for your wedding ceremony, but be sure to steer clear of being talked into having your second cousin 's daughter playing if you are not sure of her skills. If choosing a family member, make sure that you have heard them play and that they are qualified to play your wedding music or you may end up in a wedding day disaster.

The musicians that you hire for your wedding may depend on what style of music you have chosen for your wedding. If you are going for a very classical style of music you may want to hire a string quartet or a brass or woodwind quintet. If you want your processional to have organ music, then you may need to hire an organist as well. You may also want to hire a pianist for your wedding, especially if you are having people sing in your wedding. If the wedding is an important part of your ceremony, make sure that you can have at least some of the musicians available at the wedding rehearsal to make sure that everything goes smoothly the next day.

Choosing a DJ

Many people decide to choose a DJ for their wedding reception instead of live music because it is a great deal cheaper than hiring a full band and usually you can get a greater variety of music as well. There are many DJs to choose from for your wedding reception, but you want to make sure that you get the very best. When choosing a DJ you may want to check with friends and family who have had weddings recently and see if they have a recommendation. You can also check with a wedding planner or even with your reception hall to see if they have any DJs that they would recommend.

Once you have a few names for consideration you will want to interview each of the DJs and ask to see video of any weddings they have done in the past. Make sure that you get along well and that the DJ is easy to work with and will take your suggestions. Other things to check into when hiring a DJ is the cost, making sure they will be dressed appropriately, and the amount of experience they have doing weddings.

Remember that your wedding is your special day, and you want to make sure that everything goes well. Make sure that you pick the music you want for your wedding and find musicians and DJs that are experienced and professional. You want your wedding day to be perfect, so spend time in the beginning choosing the right music and the right people to perform that music at your wedding. A little time spent before your wedding deal with choosing and organizing your music can save you from a wedding day disaster.

About the Author

Visit http://www.soundimagedjs.com/ for a great Sacramento Wedding DJ

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Wedding Music - Creating The Atmosphere

Music is one of the most important parts of a wedding celebration. It can entertain guests and keep the atmosphere fun and exciting.

First of all, if your wedding is even slightly traditional, you will need music at your wedding ceremony; whether it is at a religious place of worship such as a church, mosque, temple, or a reception hall or outdoor spot. If you have wedding music at your religious place of worship, you should definitely speak to the person in charge of the place to make sure you follow all of the rules necessary. For instance, Christian churches may require a certain type of music to be played. Bringing a rock band into a church will probably not go over very well with the pastor! So before you make any plans for your ceremony music, make sure that you find out about and follow all of the guidelines given to you.

Next, you will need wedding music for the wedding reception. This way, you and all of your guests can be entertained and can dance the night away. The type of wedding music you choose depends upon two things: your personal musical likes and dislikes, and your wedding budget. You can get everything from a 10-piece band, to a small band, to a disc jockey (DJ), to a simple CD player operated by one of your friends. Again, it depends on how formal you want to get and how much you want to spend.

One important thing to keep in mind when choosing the music for your reception is that you want everyone to enjoy the entertainment somewhat. If you and your fiance love heavy metal music, but you are aware that most of the older guests don't really like it, you may want to pick what the majority of the people can appreciate. Some of your favorite songs should be mixed in with songs that all people may like. A mixture of classic rock, jazz, dance, and country favorites can make for an interesting time. But keep in mind that the selection is totally up to you and your fiance.

When choosing the music for your wedding, also keep in mind that you must pick some special songs to dance to; one that the bride can dance to with her father (or father figure), one that the groom can dance to with his mother (or mother figure), and one that the bride and groom can dance to together. These songs can be favorites that have special meaning to the people dancing.

All in all, music can make or break a fin time at a wedding celebration. Choosing appropriate music with your guest list in mind will help matters and set the stage for some serious wedding fun! Think about it this way: if all of your guests are having a fabulous time, chances are that you will as well. So put on your wedding dress and your dancing shoes - it 's time to get the party in full swing!

About the Author

More Wedding Music Articles at http://www.eWedding-Today.com. Learn how to operate a Successful Niche Website Network with eWebCreator, profitable Adsense Website Templates

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Top 5 Questions To Ask When Hiring Wedding Music

Think back 20 years. Can you imagine trying to locate musicians for a wedding reception in 1987? There was no Internet, no streaming video and no online audio clips. The search was basically limited to your local Yellow Pages, or nights on end of running all over town so you could listen to prospective DJs or bands perform live at clubs.

If your town (or another close by) didn't have a band or DJ you liked, you were out of luck. There was no viable way to locate entertainment all across the country. Thankfully, today we do have the Internet. This allows you to have a huge selection of performers at your disposal, which can be previewed either via their own sites or through gig-booking sites. However, this enormous selection and wide geographic spread leads to questions. Here are the top 5 questions you'll want to ask when hiring performers for your wedding.

1. Can I Hear Audio Clips of Your Music?

There's really no excuse for a professional band, soloist, DJ or other performer not to offer audio clips online. They are inexpensive to create and easy to upload. Even if a musician doesn't have his/her own website, they can upload audio clips to any number of gig-booking sites. If there is no way to hear audio clips of the performer you're considering, consider a different performer.

2. Is Video Available of Past Performances?

The same applies to video. Footage can be taken with mobile phones for goodness sake! Serious musicians will want you to see the excellent gigs they've played. As with audio, even without having their own websites, DJs, bands and other artists can upload streaming video to gig-booking sites so you can view them.

3. What Is Your Payment Policy?

Most performers require a deposit of anywhere from 30% to 50% when you book the gig. Usually, the balance is due upon completion of the event. However, never assume. You'll want to not only ask for the payment policy, but also get it in writing. If the band or DJ has a contract, ask to see it up front. Then actually read it before you sign.

4. What Is Your Cancellation Policy?

Heaven forbid your wedding is postponed, but if it is you'll want to know what to expect from the band or DJ you book. An unexpected death in the family, the illness of you or your groom or even unforeseen natural disasters such as hurricanes or wildfires can interrupt your wedding plans. It's always best to be prepared.

5. What Will the TOTAL Cost of the Gig Be?

With some musicians, there is a base price for the gig and then there are add-ons. If the performer travels more than a certain distance, there might be an extra charge. Are you responsible for covering travel expenses including airline tickets, mileage for driving, or hotel rooms if performers have to stay overnight, etc? Will a light show cost more? Do emcee services mean additional fees? Better to ask now than be shocked later on.

Every bride wants her special day to be one that's remembered for all the joy and excitement she and her groom experience. What you don't want is a performance at your reception that leaves you disappointed. When looking for musicians, do a thorough search and get answers to all the questions above before making your choice. When you do, you're sure to add to the enjoyment of you and your guests.

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About the Author: Kevin Kinyon is President of Gigmasters.com, the Internet's premiere live entertainment booking service. Find audio & video clips, client reviews, and secure bookings for over 4,000 performers throughout North America. When you're ready to hire wedding music, visit http://www.gigmasters.com. © 2007, All Rights Reserved

How To Save Money on Your Wedding Music & Entertainment

by: Michael Ferrell

The music and entertainment at your wedding reception should be organized based on the ages, tastes, and preferences of the guest who will be in attendance. And, depending on the type of reception you want to have, you may only want to spend money on music—or you may not need to spend too much on entertainment at all. Here are the top ways to save on music and entertainment for your wedding reception that will keep you within budget, and keep your guests entertained.

Hire a live band.

Having live music at your wedding reception is a very classy way to set the mood for the event, and the sound quality is much better than recorded music. You may also save money when you hire a live band-- depending on the band’s experience and number of opportunities to play, they may be more willing to accept a lower payment than a disc jockey or accomplished soloist. A band can also vary the speed or variation of songs, depending on the type of atmosphere you want for the reception. There are times when a band will cost considerably more than a DJ, but you may be able to work around this if you agree to feed the band and allow them the amount of breaks they request. Sites like www.usabride.com, www.livesuperdj.com, and www.wedalert.com will give you more information on the pros and cons of hiring a live band, along with a list of ideas for wedding reception entertainment.

Ask a "qualified" friend or family member to be the DJ for the reception.

Many couples shy away from having a DJ at the wedding reception, since a disc jockey may create a casual atmosphere. If you don’t mind this and want your reception to be more of a party than a formal celebration, you may consider hiring a DJ to handle the music for the reception. However, you may not like all the music that is being played with a DJ, and depending on the contract, you may not be able to change the music during the ceremony. So, why not ask a qualified friend or family member to DJ? Make sure that you know the songs that are going to be played, and that your family member feels comfortable with the job in front of a lot of people. You can also create a CD of songs you’ll want at the reception to use as background music while people are talking and having dinner, as well as a CD with songs you’ll use for dancing during the reception.

Decide whether or not you want live entertainment.

You may want more than just music at the reception, and if so, you’ll need to make sure that you book the live entertainment as soon as you can. If you want to have someone sing, dance, or emcee the reception, make these arrangements while you’re planning the wedding ceremony. You may want to ask for the help of friends and family members when it comes to entertainment as well, since they will probably be more than happy to perform at your reception as a wedding gift. Live entertainment is a great way to make your reception entertaining, and depending on how far in advance you can book the entertainment, you can save a considerable amount of money on your wedding celebration, and your guest will be talking about the fun they had at your wedding for years to come.

Findings Deals On The Internet

http://www.WeDj.com -Has a great search engine to find music and entertainment for weddings. Just enter your city and state and it will pull up a list of dj's. I did a search in New York City and found 140 listings describing each company, contact information, website address or email link.

http://www.adja.org/- The ADJA (American Disc Jockey Association) is an association of professional mobile entertainers. The mission of the American Disc Jockey Association is to encourage success for its members through continuous education, camaraderie, and networking. The American Disc Jockey Association is an organization of professional Disc Jockeys.

You can do a search for a local dj in your area. All listings show contact name, phone number and website.

About The Author

Michelle Ferrell is the author of "How To Plan Your Dream Wedding On A Limited Budget" - Discover other creative ways you can save thousands on your wedding at www.bridebargains.com.

Wedding Music - The Soundtrack to your Perfect Day

by: Lorna Mclaren

So you are planning your Wedding Day and its going to be perfect. You have the flowers, cake, invitations, your dress, his outfit, and favors sorted. Your own fair hand has written your Wedding Vows, funny or otherwise, so you are ready to get underway, but what about your Wedding Music?

Your Wedding Music will be the audio background for the entire day so it’s important to have Wedding Music that you really like. There’s the prelude to think about first. What kind of Wedding Music should be playing for your guests as they assemble in the venue for the ceremony? Many people will choose a restful, classical piece for this part of their wedding such as,

• Adagio from Santana in E-flat by Mozart,
• Air from Water Music by Handel or
• Air on the G-String by Handel.

These are gentle pieces that provide a soothing backdrop and excellent start to you Wedding Music choices.

The next choice to make is what Wedding Music do I walk down the aisle to? Goodness this is a big choice. These days you do not have to have the traditional Wedding March by either Wagner or Mendelssohn although these are still very popular. Listen to Harry Conick, JR singing Ave Maria, Canon in D by Pachelbel or Arioso by Bach before deciding on your entrance Wedding Music!

When the moment comes that bride and groom are joined together as one the Wedding Music can be “their song”, something more uplifting like the Beatles and Let It Be or something spiritual and heavenly like, my personal favorite, From This Moment by Shania Twain and Bryan White.

During every ceremony there are pauses and its nice to fill those pauses with Wedding Music especially chosen. Sometimes a soloist will fit the bill and Ave Maria or the Lords Prayer can do justice to the moment. Maybe you would like just music and Spring from Four Seasons by Vivaldi or O Mio Babbino Caro by Piccini are both excellent choices.

Now as husband and wife you are about to step out into the world and what is the right Wedding Music for you to do that to? Still very popular is the Wedding March by Mendelssohn but you by no means have to choose that. Ode to Joy by Beethoven or Inseparable by Natalie Cole can express the feeling of that moment.

Just because the ceremony is over and you are actually married don’t think the picking of Wedding Music ends there. Oh no…you still have the reception to deal with!

You have a cake to be cut and smushed into your other half mouth and a popular Wedding Music choice is…Bride Cuts the Cake by Average White Band. How Sweet It Is by James Taylor, I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher and Love and Marriage by Frank Sinatra are all understandably popular. As a choice of cake cutting Wedding Music I was surprized to discover that the Theme Song from “Jaws” by Ronnie Neuman is also well used!

Right moving along we now need first dance wedding music and again Shania Twain and Bryan White are very popular with From This Moment. Amazed by Lonestar and Breathe by Faith Hill are also in the top ten as is Truly, Madly, Deeply from Savage Garden. This is a song that becomes a cherished memory, so handle with care. My first dance was to Three Times a Lady although in later years my husband will tell you it was The Lady in Red!

First dance as man and wife is over so we can move on to the wedding music for the rest of the evening. Maybe a mix of romantic numbers like Always by Bon Jovi, Every Breath You Take by Police or My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion and some party style wedding music such as the ever popular YMCA by Village People, We Are Family by Sister Sledge and Celebration by Kool and The Gang. These are bound to get the party started!

We can start to get a little soppy with some Mother/Son and Father/Daughter wedding music choices like Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Middler or Unforgettable by Nat King Cole. Can You Feel the Love Tonight by Elton John is another music choice I think works well for the occasion.

Now the evening is drawing to a close, bride and groom are about to take to the floor for their last dance so what wedding music is appropriate? My personal thought is something undeniably romantic like I’ve Had The Time Of My Life by Bill Medly and Jennifer Warnes or Wonderful Tonight by David Kersh. Or there’s always Last Dance by Donna Summers or Time of Your Life by Green Day.

That’s is then, you now know how much wedding music you have to decide on. You may find that the DJ or band that you have organized for your reception will have a fabulous selection and you just pick out a particular few pieces of personal wedding music to be played a key moments or you may want to decide on everything. Before making a decision on your wedding music, listen to as wide a variety of music, tunes or songs as you can and whatever you pick may your wedding music be the perfect soundtrack for your perfect day!

About The Author

Lorna Mclaren has an information and resources website at www.a1-ourwedding.com where you can get inspiration on how to organize your Perfect Day!

Choosing the Right Wedding Music

by: Terje Brooks Ellingsen

Music is important in our life. The wedding music is an essential part for a successful wedding arrangement, both during the wedding ceremony and the wedding reception. Music is all about feelings and a wedding represents the greatest of all our feelings; love. The music you choose should therefore reflect this. Here are some tips you can use when you choose music for your wedding.

The arrival of the wedding guests

Live music or pipe in music should be played while guests arrive. The purpose is to relax the atmosphere and make it cosy for the guests. For this purpose slow, smooth instrumental music like cool smooth jazz can be selected. Once as the guests arrive, one or two solo’s should be performed. Songs like “I will always love you” and Baccarach songs like “The look of love” or “This Guy/Girl’s in love with You” might be a good choice.

The Wedding Ceremony

Trumpet sounding when bride is ready to enter. “Trumpet Voluntary” or "Trumpet Tune and Air" (Henry Purcell) would be great or even the traditional “Here comes the Bride” by Wagner. During ceremony, one wonderful song should be performed for example “You are my Everything”. Remember too much music could tire the guests, and make for a lengthy ceremony.

The Wedding Reception

At Reception, choose a great song to walk in on when announced to the guests. Married couple must choose their first dance song which can be slow and romantic or wild and crazy. This is their “special” song. Live DJ’d music is a plus especially if the DJ has good talking skills. This can keep the reception exciting and guests will have a great time, a time remembered for years to come. A nice touch is a song dedicated to the families of the Bride and Groom by the Bride and Groom.

The Wedding Wrap up

One last song just for the Bride and Groom before they leave and followed by at least 15 – 20 minutes of relaxing instrumental music for guests to settle down before they leave.

About The Author

Terje Brooks Ellingsen is an internet publisher. Check out his website http://www.the-wedding-site.net/ which offers free information for all who are interested in wedding issues.

The Knot Collection of Ceremony and Wedding Music Selected by the Knot's Carley Roney

This wedding music is very beautiful check this out.




Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: Makes selecting your wedding music easy!, March 26, 2007 By Candice Bell - See all my reviews This CD includes a nice selection of classical wedding music. When I ordered, I had no idea of what music I wanted or even how to select appropriate music. The accompanying guide breaks down each part of the ceremony and makes it easy to select the right song(s), from the prelude to the postlude, and everything in between. It even includes tips for music during the ceremony, if you so desire. Worth buying even if you plan to hire a DJ!