How to Use Music For the Events of the Wedding Reception
There are many different events of the wedding reception that will be greatly enhanced by music. Here is a guide on helping you in your choice of wedding reception music for the various events that make up a wedding reception.
This is a list of the events that are traditionally accompanied and enhanced by music with descriptions on how it can be done effectively.
Cocktails
If you are having a cocktail hour before your guests enter the main room you can hire a small pop or jazz group, classical musicians from your ceremony, solo guitar, or many other small ensembles. Many brides and grooms hire a small ensemble from within the reception band or musicians from the ceremony because they can receive cost savings.
Music Preceding the Bridal Party Entrance
Traditionally the reception band performs background music while your guests find there tables and await the wedding party entrance. If you would like to get the party started right away you can request dance music.
Introduction of the wedding party
The typical format for the introductions is having the music start while an announcement is made by the reception band that the bridal party is about to enter. Music is played throughout the introductions. The music is played softly as the names are announced and louder as they make entrances. Another option is to have fanfare trumpeters play a fanfare before each name is announced and the band play only as they are they are entering.
First Dance
The first dance of the wedding couple is one of the most special events of the wedding reception. All good wedding bands will be happy to suggest traditional songs for this or fill your special request.
Mother/Son and Father/Daughter Dances
Ask your wedding band for a list of popular songs for these or make special requests. If you only know one dance step, make sure that you request something that will work well with that dance.
Toasts
The wedding reception band can play a fanfare. announce the toasts and introduce each toastmaster. Those proposing the toast should talk with the wedding band during cocktails to be shown microphone technique.
(A helpful article about proposing toasts) http://honeymoons.about.com/od/weddingsaway/ht/wedding_toast.htm
Cake Cutting
Music is played for the cake cutting and for the announcement of the cake cutting. The announcement is made and music is performed as your guests gather for the event. You can request a special song or have the traditional “The Bride Cuts the Cake” performed.
Garter and Bouquet
Some brides and grooms choose to omit some of these events. All of these events are accompanied by announcements, narration and music by the reception band.
- Taking off the Garter: The groom takes the garter of the bride. “The Stripper” is the traditional song but many brides make special requests or just request the wedding band select something more subtle.
- Garter Toss: Music accompaniment or a drum roll until the garter is caught.
- Bouquet Toss: Music accompaniment or a drum roll until the bouquet is caught.
- Placing of the Garter: The recipient of the Garter places the Garter on the leg of the bouquet recipient. “The Stripper” is the traditional song but many wedding couples make special requests or request that the wedding band select something more subtle.
Departure of the Bride and Groom
The wedding band announces the departure of the wedding couple and performs music as everyone gathers for the rice, bird seed or confetti throwing or bubble blowing.
These are some of the traditional events of the wedding reception that music are used in conjunction with.
MusicRemembrance.com offers the top wedding bands in Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Central Florida and we’ll be glad to customize music for these and other events that you may add to your special day.
What is Music Remembrance and Why Was it Started?
Music Remembrance was started to connect the finest full time professional musicians with those needing music while ensuring exceptional professional service.
We have been providing bands and music ensembles for wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions, parties, conventions, concerts, festivals, parades, graduations, church services, events and musical telegrams in Central Florida since 1990. Music Remembrance uses full time professional musicians from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and the Symphony. Clients may use one of our ensembles or bands on the Music Remembrance web site or we can fill even the most unusual requests like marching bands and Ukrainian violinists dressed in costume.
Providing Professional Musicians
I started Music Remembrance because I saw that wedding couples, party and event hosts often seemed to have trouble finding quality entertainment for events. Most great musicians spend their lives performing and practicing and neglect to make any time for marketing and are thus hard to find. Because of this, many Central Florida, Orlando and Tampa wedding, party and event planners do not know the best professional musicians. In addition to this, some music consultants, live music web sites and music agents choose to use inexperienced musicians because they can pay them less and keep more profit.
I thought that someone should have a company that connects the best musicians in Florida with people needing music for wedding and events. It serves wedding couples and wedding and event planners while helping the virtuosic musicians find rewarding work where they are always among their finest colleagues.
Providing Professional Service
In addition to full time professional musicians often being hard to locate, I found that many musicians,bands, and ensembles do not always provide professional service. To me professional service means:
- Accommodating all of the clients needs and requests. Music Remembrance has a large number of musicians and bands to accommodate any musical request.
- Being set up early and solving potential problems
- Always being on time and knowing that bad traffic or a flat tire are not excuses for being late. A professional always allows time for emergencies.
- Providing a professional look. Always having the appropriate look for the event whether it is a clean and pressed tuxedos or costumes. Always having a look that is Camera ready for your photographer.
- That all musicians are always polite, accommodating and friendly to clients, guests and other vendors.
It is a blessing for me to serve others and share good music and professional service for Central Florida, Orlando and Tampa weddings, events, parties, telegrams, memorials conventions and more.
Music Remembrance Events and Service Area
Consider MusicRemembrance.com when you are hiring event musicians for your private and corporate parties in the Orlando and Tampa area.
Music Remembrance has many music ensembles and bands to choose from and we are glad to fulfill even the most unusual requests. See this link for a list of some of our ensembles.
Music Remembrance can provide event muscians like music groups, music ensembles, live music, wedding bands, and bands for wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions, parties, outdoor weddings, casino theme parties, birthday parties, anniversary parties, conventions, concerts, festivals, parades, graduations, church services, events, masses, ceremonies, dinner music, cocktail hour music.
And
Themed weddings, mardi gras parties, mardi gras parades, memorial services, funerals, dixieland funerals, funeral processionals, conventions, theme events, charity events, private parties, singing telegrams, music telegrams, celebrity performances, celebrations, tributes, roasts, charity balls, dances, Roaring 20’s party, meetings, banquets, class reunions, clubs, restaurants, theme parks, city functions, ribbon cutting ceremonies, business and store openings. promotion parties, political rallies, political events and celebrations, special events, pageants, beach weddings
And
Children’s parties, kid’s parties, debutante balls and sweet sixteen parties
Music Remembrance’s event musicians perform in all of Central Florida and Florida. We are always happy to travel in the United States and we are available worldwide. Below is a sample of our service area:
- Orlando, Florida
- Central Florida
- Dr. Phillips, FL
- Doctor Phillips,Fl
- Lady Lake, Fl
- Celebration, Fl
- Heathrow
- International Drive
- isleworth
- Celebration
- Mt. Dora
- Mount Dora
- Port Canaveral
- Orlando, FL
- Lakeland, FL
- Winter Haven, FL
- Largo, Fl,
- Indian Rocks Beach, FL.
- Winter Park, FL
- Maitland, FL
- Casselberry, FL
- New Smyrna Beach, FL
- Deland, FL
- Deltona, FL
- Sanford, FL
- Oviedo, FL
- Winter Springs, FL
- Apopka, FL
- Zellwood, FL
- Mount Dora, FL
- Melbourne, FL
- Saint Petersburg, FL
- St. Petersburg, FL
- Clearwater, FL
- Clearwater Beach, FL
- Daytona Beach, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Jacksonville, FL
- West Palm Beach, FL
- Pompano Beach, FL
- Gainesville, FL
- Sarasota, FL
- Ybor City, FL
- Naples, FL
- Boca Raton, FL
- Hollywood, FL
- Ocala, FL
- Melbourne Beach, FL
- Cocoa, FL
- Cocoa Beach, FL
- Palm Coast, FL
- Miami, Fl
- Bradenton, FL
- The Villages, Fl
- Fort Pierce, FL
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Fort Myers, FL
- North Fort Myers, FL
- Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
- Saint Augustine, FL
- St. Augustine, Fl
- Stuart, FL
- Vero Beach, FL
- Howey In The Hills, FL
- Avalon Park
- Lake Nona
- Lanark Village, FL
- St. Cloud, Fl
- Saint Cloud, Fl
- Leesburg, FL
- Kissimmee, F
- Lake Worth, FL
- Brooksville, F
- Winter Garden, FL
- Clermont, FL
- Wildwood, FL
- Ocoee, FL
- Altamonte Springs, FL
- Longwood, FL
- Windermere, FL
- Ponce De Leon, FL
- Lake Mary, FL
- Port Orange, FL
- Ft. Lauderdale, Fl
- Cape Canaveral, FL
- Edgewater, FL
- Brandon, FL
- Largo, FL
- Indian Rocks Beach, FL
- Jackson County, FL
- Orange County, FL
- Pinellas County
- Orange City, FL
- Flagler Beach, Fl
- Flagler County, Fl
- Jacksonville Beach, FL
- Orlando, Fl
- Jackson, MI
- Detroit, MI
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Traverse City, MI
Music Remembrance is glad to provide live music ensembles, wedding bands, and bands for all of your events.
Hiring Wedding Musicians Who Are Excellent
Thinking about hiring musicians for your wedding ceremony? Here’s a practical article that can guide you in the process of hiring wedding musicians who are excellent.
As I attended parties, events and weddings in Orlando and Tampa, I noticed that there was a real lack of quality entertainment at most functions. Often all of the other vendors of a wedding or event were of superior quality but brides, grooms and party hosts were not able to find professional music ensembles and bands. Most of the ensembles and bands consisted of amateurs, part-time musicians without the full knowledge of performing for these functions, high school students and college musicians. This can cause several problems.
- The music does not sound good
- The musicians do not understand all the event needs and their functions. Here are some examples of of problems caused by this lack of knowledge. A wedding reception band leader does not coordinate with the other vendors to ensure the dinner music is timed with dinner, the dance music starts immediately after dinner and the cake cutting and other festivities are timed correctly. There is no mic available for speeches and MCing activities. The power needs have not been anticipated for the sound system and a fuse is blown. For wedding ceremonies, inexperienced musicians may not know how to end the music for the bridal processional and there will be long delays in-between the bridal party and the bridal processional waiting for a song to end.
Orlando and Tampa party and event hosts, brides and grooms often find it difficult hiring professional entertainment. I found that the reasons for this are varied. The top quality professional musicians often do not market themselves. There are many wedding and event music consultants that have wonderful web sites but send young or inexperienced musicians to events because they can pay them a lower fee. I have found that some wedding and event entertainment consultants keep 50% or more of what the clients pay.
Here are some tips on hiring excellent professional musicians.
- Ask the wedding music consultant how much the musicians get paid or for a break down of costs.
- Ask if the musicians are full-time professional musicians.
- Don’t ask if the musicians are the same musicians on the web site One thing that surprises most people is that you should not expect the musicians will always be the same musicians on the web site. Musicians may have moved, taken full time shows or have orchestra commitments. A good wedding consultant will have a large pool of full-time professional musicians that they put together that all know the music. Any time that a group claims you always get the same musicians is usually a red flag. This usually means the musicians do not have any other gig conflicts which means they are not superior in-demand musicians and do this part time.
- Ask your friends if any of them know a full-time jazz or classical musician. These musicians usually know who the top party and wedding musicians are.
After you receive the cost breakdown from your Orlando wedding and event music consultant remember that, in music and in hiring wedding musicians, you often get what you pay for. Full-time professional musicians have spent their lives in the practice room to perfect their craft and the ones that have done this charge accordingly. With this information I’m sure that you will have a great wedding, party or event with excellent music and without unexpected problems.
Tip: The best way to save money on your wedding music and most of your wedding costs is to have your wedding during a slow season and day.
Classical Music in wedding the segments of Ceremonies
Classical music in wedding ceremonies set an elegant tone for wedding ceremonies. Couples around the world often have the same questions concerning the use of traditional classical music for each segment of their wedding ceremony.
The most common question is, “What are the traditional pieces for the wedding ceremony and when do I use them?”
There are pieces that are the most traditional and popular choices when using classical music in wedding ceremonies. Below are lists of the most traditional choices for the different segments of your wedding ceremony. You can listen to these pieces on the our website or by performing a Google search of the titles.
Music For the Bridal Party Processional (Entrance)
The bridal party processional can be accompanied by several pieces if you have a large bridal party or would just like different songs for different members of the bridal party. The most traditional arrangement is to have the mothers, minister, groom and groomsmen enter to one soft piece that is not on the list below. (If the groomsmen are escorting the brides maids only the mothers minister, groom and best man would enter to this first song.) This would be followed by the flower girls, ring bearer, and brides maids entering to one of the music selections from below. There are of course many variations on this arrangement for different religions, cultures and preferences but this is the most common arrangement for bridal party entrance music at wedding ceremonies.
- Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke (the most popular and traditional selection)
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach
- Canon in D by Pachelbel
- Trumpet Tune by Purcell
- Rondeau (Theme from Masterpiece Theatre) by Mouret
- Hornpipe (Allegro Maestoso) from Water Music by Handel
- Te Deum by Charpentier
Music for the Bridal Processional (Entrance)
- Bridal Chorus by Wagner also known as Here Comes the Bride (the most popular and traditional selection)
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach
- Canon in D by Pachelbel
- Trumpet Tune by Purcell
- Rondeau (Theme from Masterpiece Theatre) by Mouret
- Hornpipe (Allegro Maestoso) from Water Music by Handel
- Te Deum by Charpentier
- Trumpet Voluntary
Music for Unity Candle/Sand/Crystal Ceremony, Wine Ceremony, Rose Presentations or Similar Section of the Service Requiring Background Music
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach or Canon in D by Pachebel, if not used for bride or bridal party
- Ave Maria by Schubert
- Ave Maria by Bach
- O Perfect Love by Barnby
- Panis Angelicus by Frank
- One Hand, One Heart by Bernstein
- Sheep May Safely Graze by Bach
- Evening Prayer by Humperdink
- Hymns
Music for the Bridal Party Recessional (Return down the aisle at the conclusion of the wedding ceremony)
- Wedding March by Mendelssohn (the most popular and traditional Selection)
- La Rejouissance by Handel
- Trumpet Tune by Purcell
- Rondeau (Theme from Masterpiece Theatre) by Mouret
- Elsa’s Procession from The Cathedral by Wagner
- Ode to Joy by Beethoven
- Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke
Seating and Exiting Music for Wedding Guests
- A mix of soft classical music
I hope that you find these lists of wedding ceremony music helpful. If you have any questions about wedding ceremony music Music Remembrance is always glad to help whether you are client or not.
How to Spice Up Your Convention or Business Meeting with Music
A long business meeting or a week of meetings at a conference can get tiring no matter what the subject matter is. To keep your audience, clients or employees alert and interested you can employ many methods and devices.
One device that can really wake things up, feature your employees and reinforce your key point is music.
Hire event musicians!
Using music for conventions and business meetings in Orlando is easy because Orlando has unlimited resources due to the great amount of diverse and high quality entertainment needed for conventions, theme parks and parties.
Music is often used to spice up long days of meetings, classes, seminars, conventions and events. Hiring event musicians can break up the monotony of the day, and even inject a good amount of entertainment and humor sometimes not associated with business events.
Here are some examples of how music can be used.
A popular wake up call for morning meetings
Getting and holding the total attention of everyone in an early meeting can be difficult. If you wake everyone’s senses with something fun and exciting, obtaining their concentration is easier. One great “wake up call” is a surprise marching band, or dixieland band, marching through the room towards the beginning of the meeting. The band will march in and line up across the front of the room for a short performance. Songs can be tailored for your company or seminar theme.
- For a company from Indiana: “Back Home Again In Indiana,” Catholic meeting: “When The Saints Go Marching In”,
- Meeting/seminar about creativity: “Imagination” (From Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”),
- Conference on teamwork: “We are Family”
- Convention theme of overcoming obstacles with a positive attitude: “High Hopes (An Ant can Move that Rubber Tree Plant)
- For any corporation: your company theme song.
Does someone from your company sing?
How about someone from your company singing a song with a live band about the theme or key point of the meeting? See examples above.
Interactive Presentation
Event musicians can come in the form of a live band, orchestra or jazz group. These groups demonstrate skills that you would like your seminar attendees to learn and improve in a memorable interactive presentation. Key concepts are clearly demonstrated with music ensembles by examining the conductors role with the different parts of the music ensemble Your attendees will clearly see the correlation between the conductors role and musicians and a CEO and the different segments of a corporation Managers and workers are thoroughly entertained and learn valuable lessons to improve your companies productivity.
Demonstrated concepts and themes might include teamwork, leadership skills, micromanaging, how a company appears from a workers, middle management and executives perspectives, how management can help workers connect to the big picture, how management can help workers perform to their full potential, dealing with change and much more.
Parties and Meal Entertainment
For stress relief during a day or week of meetings a party or meal with live entertainment will recharge everyone’s batteries. Hiring event musicians can do the trick!
Welcome to Orlando
A music performance welcoming seminar or convention attendees can get everyone excited about the day or week. A band performing Disney and Universal Studios songs says “welcome to Orlando” in festive way.
There are so many ways to spice up business meetings and conventions in Orlando with Music. Use your imagination or contact your event music coordinator for more ideas and details.
Tips on Hiring Musicians for Events
Music sets the tone for any event. For sophisticated elegance, the harp or a string quartet set the tone.
For a dance and party atmosphere a band that performs the favorite songs of all your guests gets the party going.
Central Florida has every kind of event music available. Now, it’s just deciding what is the perfect entertainment for your event. This article will provide some tips about hiring music for events.
Some factors to consider before shopping for and hiring musicians for events
- Do you want the music as background for conversation? If so, start with the list for ambient background music below.
- Do you want background music at the beginning of the evening for dinner or cocktails and then transition into party music for a party atmosphere and/or dancing? In this case the best choice might be a group that specializes in weddings and events because they specialize in meeting both needs.
- Do you want music for dancing? You can use the bands that specialize in events and weddings or you have many other choices of dance bands. The bands that specialize in events and weddings will be able to play all styles and other dance bands will play just one or two styles.
- Do you want the music to include a show to entertain your guests? There are many different kinds of show entertainment, everything from dance shows to bringing in a famous entertainer. Having a show, and what kind of show, can often depend on your budget.
- How large is you venue and party? A small room will often dictate the size of music ensemble or band because of space and volume. Although, you can hire e a large band that specializes in events for a small room. They are adept at bringing, and controlling, the right sound reinforcement to keep the sound from blowing your guests out of the room.
- What is your budget for music? This will effect the instrument choices and number of musicians in your band or ensemble. When hiring musicians for events, groups charge according to the number of musicians that they will be paying. Large instruments like drums and harp usually charge somewhat more per musician. Bands or singers needing amplification include in the band fee a cost for using, bringing and setting up equipment. The number of hours that you decide to use music can sometimes save you some money although it is a misconception that one hour will cost 1/4 of what four hours would be. Once a musician is booked for your event for the evening they usually can not fit another performance in and so you are paying for the evening minimum. If your event is at an unusual time/day you can sometimes get savings compared to a Saturday night in peak season.
Below are lists of music ensembles and bands that I believe work very well for special events and parties. All of these musicians and bands can be found in Orlando and Central Florida.
For themed event music see blog “Great Wedding and Party Themes” below.
Event with ambient background music
- Brass Quartet: Two trumpets, trombone and tuba. Some ensembles vary instrumentation.
- Brass Quintet: Two trumpets, french Horn, trombone and tuba for a slightly more full sound than Brass Quartet.
- String Quartet: Two violins, viola and cello, gives a sophisticated elegant feel.
- Harpist
- Harp and Flute Duet
- Solo Violinist
- Violin duo
- String trio
- Violinist with piano, guitar, harp or organ
- Fanfare Trumpets: The long trumpets used to announce royalty. Used to announce changes in the evening such as moving from the cocktail hour to dinner or that an silent auction is ending.
- Jazz Guitarist
- Classical Guitarist
- Guitarist performing a mix of music including light classics, jazz, standards and pop.
- Classical Pianist
- Jazz Pianist
- Pianist performing a mix of music including light classics, jazz, standards and pop.
- Italian Tenor
- Singer with piano, guitar, or harp
- Singer performing pop or jazz accompanied by guitar or piano or ensemble of guitar bass and drums or piano, bass and drums
- Jazz Combo
- Woodwind Quintet: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and french horn
- Chamber Orchestra: combine the brass quintet and string quartet for a small orchestra
- String Orchestra
- Full Symphony Orchestra
- If you have something specific in mind for an event, any music ensemble that you can dream of is available in Central Florida and Orlando.
Event with the Entertainment as the Focal Point
You can use anything from a wedding/event variety band with multiple singers to a full blown Vegas show. Some popular shows are:
- Swing Show with singers, dancers and a live band
- Vegas Dance Show
- Magician or comedian with band
- Interactive Variety Band: A wedding/event band that has a huge amount of audience interaction. The interaction includes things like playing a medley of surf/beach songs while dozens of beach balls are tossed over a volley ball net by guests, a rock tune while guests grab blow up guitars and take the stage, and music with twist and hula hoop contests.
- Celebrity Impersonator Show: Blues brothers style act singing all of the movies big hits, Marilyn Monroe singing “I want to be loved by you”, “Happy Birthday” and other favorites, The Rat Pack with a live big band.
- Contortionist, Stilt Walkers, Caricature Artists, Face Painters, Clowns, Circus Acts, Balloon Makers and Character Actors
The sky is the limit for shows!
Event to include dancing
- An Event/Wedding band: This genre of band will be able to play music of all styles and eras to please all of your guests. These bands also have expertise at functioning as the Master of Ceremonies (MC) to announce speakers, awards, auctions, etc.
- A Rock, Pop, Country, Salsa, Swing or other style band: Remember that you will not get variety for your guests or the MC expertise
- Jazz Band or Combo: For a more mellow but still danceable approach. I suggest getting one with a singer to please more guests.
- Orchestra, Society Orchestra or Big band: For ballroom dancing
Once you have defined your musical needs of background music, entertainment, show, dance music etc., theses lists can be helpful in hiring musicians for your event.
Think of Music Remembrance the next time you think of hiring music for your event. We have many professional event musicians available in all varieties so you will be able to find the perfect music for your event.
Over 50 Music Ensemble Choices for Weddings
When you are planning your special day, you have almost unlimited choices of wedding musicians and bands in Orlando. Brides and grooms may sometimes find it difficult selecting music for their events. This is often because only a few choices are known or many choices are known but it is difficult to imagine which music groups would be the most appropriate for your special day. I think that lists of choices that work well for the wedding ceremony, wedding reception and cocktail hour can be very helpful.
Below are lists of music ensembles that I believe work very well for wedding ceremonies, receptions and cocktail hour. All of these wedding musicians and bands can be found in Orlando and Central Florida.
Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Ceremony Ensembles
Classical and/or Ambient Music: Any of these ensembles can play a large variety of music styles including classical, pop, jazz standards, Christian pop and folk music.
- Brass Quartet: Two trumpets, trombone and tuba. Some ensembles vary instrumentation.
- Brass Quintet: Two trumpets: french horn, trombone and tuba for a slightly more full sound than the brass Quartet. Works well for large venues or large wedding parties.
- Brass Choir: Large brass group for that “wow” factor
- Brass Quartet, Brass Quintet or Brass Choir with Organ: This magnificent and regal combination will fill the air and create an awe inspiring sound.
- String Quartet: Two violins, viola and cello, gives a sophisticated elegant feel.
- Harpist
- Organist
- Harp and Flute Duet
- Solo Violinist
- Violinist with piano, guitar, harp, or organ
- Trumpet and Organ Duet a very popular wedding choice for a regal effect
- Fanfare Trumpets – The long trumpets used to announce royalty
- Guitarist
- Pianist
- Italian Tenor
- Singer with Piano, Guitar, Harp or Organ
- Woodwind Quintet: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, french horn
- Chamber Orchestra: Combine the brass quintet and string quartet for a small orchestra
- Symphony Orchestra: A full symphony orchestra for the couple that wants something truly extraordinary
For themed wedding music choices see blog below, “Great Party and Weddings Themes”
Wedding Reception
Before selecting your wedding reception musicians it is helpful to decide if you would like music for background, lively music or dancing music. Do you want one kind of music or a large variety that will please and keep all of your guests dancing? If you are like most couples you desire background music for dinner and a large variety of dance music after dinner. If this is your desire, you would be best served with a band that specializes in wedding ceremonies. Wedding bands have a large repertoire of all styles and welcome requests. These bands also have the expertise to perform as master of ceremonies (MC) and assist you with all of your music details including picking times and songs for the bridal party entrance, bride and groom entrance, first dance, father and daughter dance, mother and son dance, toasts, cake cutting, guarder and bouquet tosses. Having an experienced band to keep things running smoothly through these events is important, but will be essential if you do not have a wedding planner.
Wedding Reception Ensembles
- Wedding Band
- Your favorite rock, pop, country, salsa or other style band – Remember, you will not get variety for your guests or the MC and wedding expertise with these groups.
- Jazz Band or Combo – for a more mellow but still danceable approach. I suggest getting one with a singer to please more guests.
For themed wedding reception music see blog “Great Wedding and Party Themes below.”
Cocktail Hour
Many of the wedding ceremony music groups will work very well for the cocktail hour. If you can use the same group that performed for your ceremony you can save a considerable amount of money. Another option to save money is using a group from the wedding reception band. Most wedding bands have a duo, trio or quartet from within the band that can arrive early and play the cocktail hour. These groups can usually play light pop or jazz as soft ambient music. If you are on a tight budget but would like music for cocktails request the wedding bands guitarist as a solo guitarist or pianist as a solo pianist. Most people prefer to use a group without a vocalist. This helps keep the music as background so your guests can enjoy mingling. Do you want the music as the focal point or background? If it is a focal point a group with a singer or a brass group work well. Which ensemble you pick will set the tone for cocktails. Do you want the sophistication of the harp, the elegance of strings, of more of a party atmosphere with a pop trio?
Cocktail Hour Ensembles
Wedding Ceremony ensembles that work well:
Any of these ensembles can play a large variety of music styles including classical, pop, jazz standards, Christian pop and folk music.
- Brass Quartet – Two Trumpets, Trombone and Tuba. Some ensembles vary instrumentation.
- Brass Quintet Two Trumpets, French Horn, Trombone and Tuba for a slightly more full sound than Brass Quartet.
- String Quartet -Two violins, viola and cello, gives a sophisticated elegant feel.
- Harpist
- Harp and Flute Duet
- Solo Violinist
- Violinist with piano, guitar or harp
- Fanfare Trumpets: The long trumpets used to announce royalty. Used at the end of cocktail hour to announce that it is time to move to the dinner location. The fanfare trumpeters perform a fanfare to get your guests attention and then either the trumpeters, or a chef standing in-between them, announces that “dinner is served” as the doors to the dinner room open.
- Guitarist: Classical jazz, pop or folk
- Pianist: Classical, jazz or pop
- Singer with piano, guitar or harp singing light classical music
- Singer performing pop or jazz accompanied by guitar or piano or ensemble of guitar bass and drums or piano, bass and drums
- Woodwind Quintet: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, french horn
- Chamber Orchestra, combine the brass quintet and string quartet for a small orchestra
Small Ensembles from Wedding Reception band that work well:
- solo pianist
- solo guitarist
- solo pianist that sings
- solo guitarist that sings
- Duo, trio, or quartet from reception band, either jazz or pop music or both can be requested
Other Suggestions:
- Jazz duo, trio or quartet. If you are a jazz fan and want that specifically it always takes things to another level if you hire a group that specializes in that.
- Blues singer. To bring the mood up from the ceremony and get your guests ready to party, try something a little different to set the tone.
- For themed wedding music suggestions see blog below, “Great Party and Weddings Themes”
Great Party and Wedding Themes
Parties and weddings with a theme can be so spectacular and memorable. A themed event can set a tone of fun, majesty, or opulence.
When using a party or wedding theme, music can play an important role. Thematic music can elevate your theme to another level and really make the event memorable. Since you are going to have music anyway, thematic music can also save money in decor, special food, etc., by setting the mood with music. (We can help!)
After selecting a party or wedding theme, think about all the different choices of music ensembles, costumes and songs that you can incorporate. Orlando has unlimited choices for party and wedding musicians. If you combine themed music with a beautiful room and food you can’t go wrong
There are many party and wedding themes that I have seen done successfully and memorably. Here is a list some of these themes and some possible music choices to elevate the themed decor and food to an event everyone will remember.
- Winter Wonderland Theme: Wedding reception band in white tuxedos and the singer in a while gown with crystals. You could add winter themed songs in as well. Have the band bring a snow machine for special effect.
- Christmas Theme: String Quartet, Carolers or Brass Quintet performing holiday favorites in Norman Rockwell style carolers outfits or simply in tuxes with red bow ties. Add Santa Claus hats for fun.
- Spring Theme: With a flower filled room have a little tongue in cheek fun with a flower power band playing music or the 70’s.
- Roaring 1920’s: A lush 1920’s society orchestra or band, decked out in costume, playing the lush beautiful sounds for dinner and then roaring it up with dixieland music for the party.
- Sock Hop: 1950’s band in costume poodle skirts, greased back hair and rolled up jeans.
- Mardi Gras: New Orleans Dixieland Band in traditional New Orleans Parade Costume or bright mardi gras outfits. Make sure they bring the beads! It’s great to have the band process in or parade your crowd from the ceremony to the reception or from cocktails to the dinner location.
- Beach Wedding Theme: Have musicians in Hawaiian shirts, dresses and leis. The reception band can incorporate Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet, calypso and other tropical songs, Add steel drums for that Caribbean resort feel.
- Western: County Western band for the reception and a solo guitarist/singer for the ceremony.
- Medieval/Renaissance; Medieval/Renaissance music played on authentic instruments from the time period by musicians dressed in period costume.
- Cultural Weddings: There are musicians that perform traditional or modern music from every country available.
- Princess: Nothing sets a more royal tone than fanfares performed on long fanfare Trumpets.
- Las Vegas: Wow your guests with a real Las Vegas style show and if you are looking for something on the lighter or humorous side, how about a singing Elvis at the ceremony?
- Masquerade: A string orchestra playing waltzes and songs for ballroom dancing while wearing costumes and masks will set the stage for your guests.
- New York Club: A jazz combo or a full big band playing swing music and of course the song “New York, New York”.
Whatever theme you pick you can find the right party or wedding music in Orlando. Remember to pick your theme very early in your planning so it will be easier to include in invitations, decor, party favors and the menu. Good luck and have fun with it.
How To Personalize Music For Your Wedding
If you rush through the process of selecting wedding songs and music ensembles you miss a great chance to personalize your special day. The right wedding musicians in Orlando will help you customize your music to make your wedding personalized and memorable.
Do you already have ideas about personalizing your music? Have your Orlando wedding musicians help you take it to then next level and “wow’ your guests.
Below are questions that can help you discover a way to personalize music for your wedding.
1. Do you, the couple, have a song?
Remember that if you have several songs that are special to you, they can be incorporated into the wedding ceremony or reception.
2. Do you play an instrument.? If one or both or you play guitar maybe a guitar ensemble would add that wow touch.
3. Do you have a favorite style of music. or band? If your favorite band is a punk rock band don’t limit yourself to using that music at the reception. Have a punk rock band play the prelude to your ceremony. If that would shake up your guests a little too much, then how about having your string quartet or guitarist play a mellow version of one of their songs?
4. Is there someone that cannot be at the wedding, or a family member that is no longer with you, that you would like to have there in a special way? If so, is there a song or style of music that you could include in the ceremony or ceremony prelude? Did a Grandmother love a certain hymn or big band music? Is your brother overseas a Bruce Springsteen fanatic? In personalizing music for your wedding, incorporate these ideas. They make for a memorable and meaningful wedding.
5. You wanted to have your pet at your wedding but the venue couldn’t allow it. Maybe a song that contains the pets name, or a song about dogs during the wedding prelude, dinner or dancing music.
6. Do you have a theme for your wedding? Here are some examples.
Irish: Bagpipes for the walk down the isle or an Irish band for dinner or for dancing. Have the musicians wear full costume for more effect.
Princess theme: The long fanfare trumpets playing a fanfare before the bride enters sets the tone.
Christmas wedding: A Norman Rockwell costumed brass quintet playing Christmas carols.
Mardi Gras or New Orleans theme: Instead of just having a dixieland band, have one in New Orleans parade band costume and have them march everyone from the ceremony to the reception throwing beads.
Music Remembrance has a variety of event musicians who would even dress up according to your event’s theme!
7. Like to add a little fun and humor? Don’t forget that you can do it with music. I will always remember a wedding that Music Remembrance played in Tampa. No one thought that the groom would ever marry, so the couple decided to have the Hallelujah Chorus performed after they were pronounced Husband and Wife. The guests loved it and they most likely still remember it.
You can have a lot of fun, and often save some money, setting a tone or theme when your use personalize music for your wedding. When hiring wedding musicians in Central Florida, think first of the tone or theme that you would like to set and then have your wedding music consultant guide you through the process of personalizing your music.
visit: http://www.bestweddingnj.com/wedding_music to have a personalized song written just for you.
