WEDDING RESOURCES

EVENT PLANNING RESOURCES 

Wedding Reception Music: Tips in Getting Started
 
If it’s done right, music will energize your celebration, heighten romance, and inspire guests to get down on the dance floor. "If music be the food of love, play on...." So said Shakespeare, and we echo his sentiment wholeheartedly. Here are eight notes to keep in mind.
 
Finding Your Muse
The best way to find the perfect band for your reception? Firsthand knowledge. Have you been to a wedding where the band kept the guests grooving all night long? Were you all smiles until the very last dance? Get the band's name and contact info. Alternatively, poll your recently married friends: Did they love their wedding band ? Have they been to an event with great music? Word of mouth is still the best way to get the best musicians.
 
The Size Factor
Consider your reception room size and your crowd. An intimate space won't fit a 22-piece orchestra, and a 3-piece combo may not cut it for 400 people.
 
What It Costs
Reception music fees are dictated by the city, number of performers, day of the week, and time of day. A DJ generally costs less than a band. On average (for a three- or four-hour reception), you'll pay $1,500 to $5,000 for a band. The more pieces in your band, the higher the cost.
 
Act Now
Top talent -- be it the kickin-est wedding band in town or the local pub's liveliest Irish trio -- can be booked up to a year in advance. The sooner you make arrangements, the better your chances of landing exactly the act you want.
 
Time It Right
Bands are typically contracted for three or four hours, but if you think your reception might last longer, consider booking them for more time up front. If you spontaneously decide to have them stay longer, you could incur steep overtime fees. You may be able to hire for the event, rather than for contracted hours, in which case you could avoid overtime charges that way too.
 
Noise Restrictions
Check with your site manager: There may be time-of-day restrictions on music or limits on noise levels.
 
Give 'Em A Break
Keep in mind that your band may need to take a break during the night, so discuss how you'll want to fill this time. A band can just throw on a compilation CD of your favorite music with the band's break time.
 
Putting It All Together
There are a few parts of your reception you’ll need to decide in advance:
 
Talking Points: Do you want your bandleader to announce the wedding party and reception events? Then arm him with information. Write down people's names (with pronunciations), wedding roles, and their relationship to you (groom's brother, bride's parents, and so on). If someone else is handling the task, make sure the entertainment knows their sole duty is turning out tunes.
 
Your Dances: The band will need to know how you want to handle a few key dances, that is, your first dance, your last dance, any of the parent dances, and possibly the cake-cutting song.
 
Your Vibe: Want your 15-year-old cousin Jane, 46-year-old Auntie Lou, and 75-year-old Gramps to all boogie down together on the dance floor? Focus on variety. Ask your musicians  to play songs that span several decades, from Big Band standards to Rolling Stones to Bruno Mars -- and everything in between. Kick off the night with intergenerational songs so popular that everyone will know and enjoy them: the Chuck Berry, Sinatra, and Aretha. As the evening progresses and curfew-bound relatives start to say goodbye, feel free to rock the house with your favorite age-appropriate tunes.

Wedding Planning Websites 

Wedding Wire is the easiest way to find local wedding venues, cakes, dresses, invitations & more. WeddingWire is stress free, hassle free, and just plain free. 
www.weddingwire.com
 
Brides.com is your all in one source for wedding planning, wedding ideas and advice. View their photo gallery of wedding dresses, real weddings and wedding style ideas.
www.brides.com
 
 
Plan your wedding, browse dresses & gowns, see rings & jewelry, find honeymoon destination ideas, and get bridal shower ideas at MarthaStewartWeddings.com. 
www.marthastewartweddings.com