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Music on your wedding day

Music often plays animportant role on festiveoccasions, and wedding daysare no exception. The rightmusic can make a wedding daythat much more meaningful,while the wrong music canmake a couple’s big eventmemorable for all the wrongreasons.

Though music selectionmight seem like one of theeasier decisions couples mustmake, those about to tie theknot typically must make a hostof music-related decisionsregarding their wedding day,including whether to choose alive band or a deejay to performat their wedding receptions.While the reception is whenmusic might be most on display,couples planning their weddingsmust think beyond thereception when setting themusical tones for theirweddings.

CeremonyThe ceremony itself often

sets the tone for a couple’s

wedding day. A beachwedding, for example,often creates a laid backatmosphere, while aceremony held in a largechurch or temple oftensets a more formal tone.Music played during theceremony also goes along way toward settingthe tone couples hope toestablish.

When choosing music forthe ceremony, couples shouldfirst consider the venue wherethey are tying the knot. Some,such as houses of worship, mayhave rules pertaining to whatcan and cannot be played insidethe venue. Classical, hymnal orprocessional music often makesthe best fit when weddings aretaking place in more formalvenues. Outdoor weddings tendto give couples more leeway.But in general couples don’twant to choose any music that’stoo loud or over-the-top fortheir ceremonies.

Keep in mind that whilethe music played during theceremony can set the tone forthe day, this music can varysignificantly from the musicplayed during the reception. Afavorite performer may not beappropriate during theceremony, but that doesn’tmean the couple can’t dance tothat artist’s music during thereception.

Live musicians can add a

more elegant feel to theceremony, but such performersalso can be costly. Playingprerecorded music may not beas elegant as having a liveperformer, but it can cost a lotless and still make for anenjoyable day and evening.

ReceptionMany couples prefer

deejays to live bands for theirwedding receptions. Deejayscan play favorite songs ascouples and their guests knowthem, while bands can onlyplay their own renditions ofthose songs.

Another thing to considerwhen choosing between adeejay or live band for thereception is the venue itself.Some venues are smaller andunable to accommodate a fullband, while others may nothave ideal acoustics, making itdifficult for a live band to soundas good as they might in a moremusic-friendly environment.

The formality of the eventshould also come intoconsideration when choosingbetween a live band or a deejayfor the reception. Deejaysspinning the latest top 40 hitsmay stick out like sore thumbsat especially formal weddings,while a classical orchestra likelywon’t fit into the laid backtheme of a beach or destinationwedding.

Couples tying the knot

outdoors may need to considerequipment when choosingbands or deejays to play theirweddings. For example, somevenues do not provideequipment, such asmicrophones and speakersystems, to couples for theirceremonies. Renting suchequipment can be costly, butcouples can often skirt suchcharges by hiring deejays orbands who lend couples theirequipment during theceremony. Deejays or bandswho will loan and set up thenecessary sound equipment foroutdoor ceremonies merit extraconsideration.

When discussing music tobe played during the reception,couples must consider theirown musical tastes as well asthose of their guests. A widerange of popular music tends togo best at wedding receptions,as guests are more likely todance to songs they recognize.Avoid any music that has thepotential to offend guests,opting for lighter, happier tunesinstead. Whether hiring a bandor deejay, couples should makea list of no-play songs or artistsand make sure that such listsare included in their contracts.

Music plays an importantrole on couples’ wedding days.Though choosing music for theceremony and the reception isoften fun, couples must takesuch decisions seriously.