Wedding Entertainment, Wedding planning – so many exciting and important decisions to make. A couples first thoughts will be when and where; a date and a venue; then the bride will move on to the dress and the bridesmaids. Wedding entertainment will usually be last on the list, after all it’s only music right? But think about weddings and parties you’ve been to in the past, what are your lasting memories? Dancing to your favourite songs with your friends, watching newlyweds sharing a truly magical moment during their first dance? Or heaven forbid, sitting around a table tapping your fingers gazing at an empty dancefloor while your partner yawns because the DJ is playing all the wrong songs?
So how do you get the wedding entertainment right?
Do your research. Music can be the key to creating the kind of atmosphere you want so find out what’s on offer. There may be entertainment available that you have never thought of. For example, are you used to wedding breakfasts where you sit down for a three course meal and chat to the people nearby in between courses….well what about turning that on it’s head and creating a party atmosphere from the get-go?
You don’t always have to stick to tradition you know. Having a charismatic wedding singer at your wedding breakfast interacting and entertaining in between the courses could be just the thing to wow your guests and make an otherwise lull in the day a high point.
If you have a singer or a band in mind, check out their website and their social media ages. Many will have a Facebook page which will include reviews from past clients and wedding guests – this is an excellent place for building up a picture of the kind of service you will receive from your wedding entertainer.
“Oh it’s OK, our venue has a resident DJ”
Don’t just assume the venues resident DJ will be right for you. Find out who it will be, look for videos of their work on YouTube, or Facebook reviews from previous clients. What is their equipment like? Do they have the right version of your first dance song? Will they introduce it right and make sure everyone in the room is involved and knows that it’s happening? You don’t want your guests missing an important photo opportunity. Do they provide lighting to change the atmosphere of the room from day to night? What time do they play until? What time will the venue allow them to play until? Will they charge extra after a certain time?
Book Early.
It’s not like choosing flowers, invitations or cakes where there is an endless production line. When you’ve found the wedding entertainment you want, remember there may only one of them and any good ones will get snapped up quickly – don’t miss out.
Talk to your wedding entertainer
It is really important to get to know your wedding singer or DJ before the big day and for them to get to know you. Let them know what kind of music you like, what kind of music you don’t like, but be careful not to be too specific, remember there will be an eclectic music taste from all your guests too, you don’t want to pigeon hole them. Are there any songs that shouldn’t be played which would sombre the mood? Are there any songs which have a particular meaning to you and your partner/your group of friends/your family? Are there any songs that you have a special dance to? Are there memorable moment songs from the Hen and Stag nights?
Think about the positioning of your singer at your wedding breakfast and your DJ at your evening reception discuss this with your entertainer to make sure they have the right space for their equipment and that they are positioned correctly to be able to do their job properly – don’t be bullied by the venue – remember, you are the boss!
Liaise with your photographer/videographer too when talking about the wedding entertainment. There may be magical moments created at key parts in the day and you wouldn’t want them to be missed because the photographer was on a break, so make sure they know about them.
Finally…
You need to feel comfortable with the wedding entertainer you have chosen and remember, they are there to add to your day not to take over.
Wedding Entertainment
