Choosing Music For Your Wedding and Reception
by The Bartlett Violin & Cello Duo

Your wedding can be a joyous occasion and planning the music for your wedding and reception may be the easiest part. You do not have to be a musician to select the correct music and musicians for your ceremony. All you have to do is decide which instruments you would most like to have performing for you and start calling or e-mailing the numerous groups which advertise in the yellow pages and on the internet.

Location of your wedding. If your wedding will be held on an island or other area which has no electrical outlets you will probably need to bring in live musicians who do not require electricity for their instruments or need to use a sound system. The sound of most musical groups carries very well outside without microphones. Some instruments need to be protected from direct sunlight and most need protection from rain.

Using CD's or audio cassettes. Using audio cassettes or CD's during receptions is fine but during weddings there can be a few problems. For instance, your friend has his recorder or CD player cued up for the entrance of the wedding party at the correct time. The minister, groom, best man and other men of the wedding party are standing at the altar looking expectantly beyond the seated guests at the door through which the bridesmaids and bride will pass. No one passes through the door and they might not for the next ten minutes. They are not quite ready yet. The friend has to decide whether to remove the wedding music CD and play something else for a while and not be ready for the bridesmaids when they do show up or to play the wedding CD over and over until the wedding party is ready to enter or just stand there in an embarrassing silence. If you have live musicians present they will just keep turning pages and performing until the bridesmaids are ready to walk. They know from experience that most weddings start late and they are prepared for it.

If something disturbs the continuity of the wedding in progress, live musicians will immediately play an appropriate piece of music so that your guests will never know that there was almost a serious problem during the wedding ceremony.

Using audio cassettes or CD's will save some money but there are risks involved. There are some very funny stories about recorded wedding music going out of control.

Large or small musical group? The size of the group you are considering can be important for two reasons. A large group will cost more than a small group and will take up more space at your wedding location. Which appeals more to you? A large group which looks impressive and has a full, warm sound or a small group which has an intimate warm sound and appearance.

How much does a live group cost? Pricing varies between groups. Most will charge a flat rate for a wedding based on how many musicians you want to use. There may be travel expenses added on if the location is far away. Some groups include taxes in their flat rate and some don't.

Paying more does not guarantee better music. The best way to be sure that the music you are ordering is just right for you is to sample demonstration recordings. The best music is the music that you really like and enjoy hearing. The best group for you is the one which comes closest to what you like to hear at a price you are comfortable with.

Contacting musicians. When you know which instruments you would like to have performing for you it is time to begin e-mailing or calling musicians. You can ask if they are available for your date, how much they will charge, if there are travel expenses and if they dress formally. If they are available to perform for you they will probably be happy to send you their demonstration recording.

Choosing your music. This is the easy part. You can do some research if you will go to your local library and check out audio cassettes and CD's. There are examples which are wedding oriented. Most of the classical and celtic pieces are acceptable also. You will hear different combinations of musicians which can help you decide which instruments you want in your ceremony. After you have collected some ideas for music you can present them to the musicians you want to use. Some pieces may not be useable due to the size limitations of the group you are hiring but most will. If you can meet with your musicians in advance of the wedding date, they can play several pieces for you to choose from. All you need to do then is relax, listen and choose the pieces you really like.

When are live musicians most useful? They are good for the wedding ceremony especially if it will he held outside. They are useful during the cocktail period of the reception while the wedding party is having their photograph session. They are useful during the first part of the dinner before the entree arrives. After that time your guests will be clinking on glasses and having a great time but not listening to music. If you have a DJ present now is the time to use his expertise.

Book early. If you want to use live musicians and you know the date of your wedding/reception/dinner you will want to interview and book your musicians as early as possible. There approximately 22 weekends during the warm months and those dates go quickly.