Cocktail Sax Jazz Band

I have been talking with many wedding couples recently and the topic of "Announcements" at the reception has taken a back seat to many other issues they need to deal with before the big day.   This little detail can change the atmosphere at the reception and can sometimes create some ackward moments.  When you give the microphone off to someone, you can never be sure what they are going to say... and depending on the number of drinks it can get wierd fast.

 

So a few things to think about...

 

1.  Who is going to be given a microphone at the reception, do they know what you want them to say?

2.  What announcements are "ok" and what is "not!"  ... (there is a black ford explorer with the lights on in the parking lot, do we really want to interupt the party for that?)

3.  What is the role of the DJ or Band in announcements?

4.  What announcements will be made and when?   ie. entrance of the wedding party, toasts, cutting of the cake, departure... if this is not planned out, someone may suggest an event at your reception that you didn't plan on and then you have to deal with what happens.

 

So, a little planning will go a long way...

I learned a new term today... "Wedding Entertainment Director".   This is the first I have heard of this term but I can see the point.  I met a DJ today (Jim Cerone) that is the first Wedding Entertainment Director I have ever seen.  I think this is an official certification.

 

Wedding have many announcements and activities that happen during the reception and I can see the value of having someone who knows what they are doing with a Microphone.  No bride needs a bad memory about some DJ saying really wierd things at her special day, so someone with training in this field makes a lot of sense to me.

 

Let me know your thoughts... should reception entertainment have a director?   Seems like a good idea...

Music touches the heart of people, it cuts through feelings and ignites memories.  Music is critical to creating the right atmostphere at any event, much less a wedding.   This special day has had years of preparation, yet so many people skip through the careful selection of music and musicians for this day.   Music can calm, music can excite, and music can make or break a special event.

 

In a wedding, there are musically various different chapters to this event.

 

Rehearsal Dinner Music - the choice of songs, beat, and musicians can set a tone of friendliness, formality, or somberness.  Some music invites people to talk to others while some song choices will make people keep to themselves.

 

Pre-Wedding Music - This is one of the times in this event most often forgotten.   The music that people listen to while waiting for the ceremony to begin sets the mood and tone for the wedding.   Musicians and song choices can make these moments very formal, friendly, casual, or lively.   The instrumentation and musicians also impact the experience thru the type of instrument as well as its loudness.

 

Ceremony Music - the personality of the couple should be reflected in the music choices both the songs as well as the musicians performing the songs.  Musicians can take any songs and make it upbeat or somber depending on the tones, speed, and approach used by the musicians.

 

Reception Music - this is the music that people listen to while waiting for the bride and groom to leave the ceremony area and arrive at the reception.  Often this can be a long wait time as the photographer is busy snaping up many pictures or there is a long greeting line after the ceremony.   People in some wedding have been in this waiting period for hours before the party or dinner begins.   This music is a way to keep the people entertained and keep them at the reception, but not set the tone to take away from the party happenings that will occur later that day...

 

Formal Dance Music - Songs can say the things we always wanted to say but didn't have the words... songs can say the right things the right way.   Choice of special songs during these formal dances are critical to allow the various family members to create that very special moment that will be remembered for decades.

 

Party Dance Music - This is the get crazy time, allowing everyone to get up and dance and enjoy the celebration.   Key songs enable this, but this is also tricky.  If there are a lot of people with little formal dancing skills, the right songs need to be selected to allow everyone to dance.  We also get into the issue of are we doing crazy songs like the Chicken Dance and other wacky favorites.  The wedding couple need to make sure to specify what songs are NOT to be played during this time because it is often that people will request anything and change the mood of the evening.

 

Tell me... what are your favorite songs for the Formal Dance section of a wedding?