Wedding Entertainment - Ask the Expert Session 15/10/2010

On 15th October the “Wedding Entertainment – Ask the Expert” session took place on The Wedding Community discussion forum, with The Wedding Community’s wedding entertainment expert Sera Golding of MIB Music.  Here are some of the questions and Answers from the session.

 

 

Q My fiancé and I both have very different tastes in music. I like current music and poppy stuff and he likes rock music, they do say opposites attract!

 

What kind of music do you think would be great as a compromise?

 

A You know what, this comes up ever so often! It’s actually not a bad thing at all. I think it’s nice to have a good mix of music, and hopefully if you can appeal to both of you, you will appeal to most of your guests as well.

 

In terms of looking for a band - most good function bands will play a good mix of everything, and I'm sure you can find one that will put together a great set list for you that includes a mixture of current and poppy music, with some rock classics in there too for the hubby-to-be! Same goes for a DJ. Just tell them what you want - it’s your big day! It’s probably best to give them a rough idea and let them come up with an idea of a playlist based on their expertise.

 

 

Q I am getting married this February in a hotel and as we can't have any religious element to the ceremony, would like a song to be sung at the wedding (to make it last a little longer). Is there a song that you would suggest to be sung during the ceremony? Also what music do I have? Slow, what we like, what? Still have not chosen this and it’s only 127 days away.

 

A I think music in the ceremony is a really lovely element to have in there, and you should definitely choose something beautiful! It can quite often take the place of a reading. I know a lot of couples prefer to have a song that really means something to them, that brings back memories and emotions, rather than a reading that perhaps might mean less.

 

I think if possible, try to come up with something personal to you guys - is there a song that has always made you think of your hubby-to-be? Or a song that was played when you first met/one you have always sang together? I think something personal would be lovely!

 

But, if you can't think of anything, here are a few options I can think of or have done before:

• Groovy Kind of Love - Phil Collins - beautiful slow tune!
• Higher and Higher - Jackie Wilson - this is a really good fun, up-tempo tune which is very uplifting and makes me smile!
• Songbird - Eva Cassidy - gorgeous
• Let There Be Love - Frank Sinatra - good old classic
• Feel My Love - Adele - very recent latest single, this is really popular lately!
• I'm Yours - Jason Mraz - fun tune!
• You've Got a Friend - James Taylor - awwwh, lovely!
• Still The One - Shania Twain - another popular choice
• How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You - James Taylor (happiest song in the world?)

 

 

Q Both my bride-to-be and me are massive fans of the death metal band Cannibal Corpse - do you know/have you heard of a decent cover band who play their stuff?

 

A I don't know of anyone personally, I've just done a google search for 'cannibal corpse tribute' but nothing has really come up. Most bands will learn one or two special requests for you so perhaps that’s an option, or if you got a DJ I'm sure he or she would play some for you.

 

Sorry not to be more help on that one! Do you have any friends who are musicians? If you did, I wonder if you could ask them (perhaps for your wedding present) to learn up to half an hour or so of 'Cannibal Corpse' tunes?

 

 

Q We are thinking about having a band play at our wedding next year. How long do bands usually play for? We would like music for the whole reception 8pm – 1am. Would a band play this long and if not what would we do for music during the gaps?

 

A The answer to this does vary from band to band, but I can give you a general idea. Most bands as standard offer 2 x 60minute sets, or 3 x 40s (this does vary though - some may be as little as 2 x 45s, and the bands I run and a few others I know offer 2 x70s). I know what you're thinking...that doesn't sound like that much when your reception runs from 8p.m - 1a.m! However, these sets have been put together with a few things in mind...

 

Firstly - you and your guests won't want live music for the whole evening. It’s nice to make a feature of it, so that when the band is on everyone will be on that dance floor for the whole time! This creates a bigger party atmosphere with everyone on the dance floor at once, and when the breaks come, your guests can take time to chat/grab a drink/go to the loo/get some fresh air etc.

 

Secondly - if you're having a buffet or any other attractions (like fireworks for example) it’s best to arrange these in the band breaks. There's no point in paying all that money for a band when everyone is sat down eating or outside watching fireworks.

 

Thirdly - you'll probably find that you'll want the band to start a little later on. 9 times out of 10 we find that on the night, even if the bride and groom have arranged for the band to start when the evening guests arrive, they generally find they'd rather chat to everyone first, have a few drinks and then have the band start a little later on.

 

As for the breaks - most professional bands will offer something to fill the gaps, usually in the form of taped music from an ipod. This will fill the gaps nicely. How much say you can have in what gets played varies from band to band - some will let you choose all the songs that are played in the breaks, which is a nice touch!

 

 

Q I would like a band to play at our wedding but I like the idea of people being able to request their favourite songs. Is this something a live band would be able to do or would they have a set play list.

 

A Good question. This really depends on the band, but I'd say most bands will want to stick to their playlist, or perhaps give you a copy of their repertoire and let you choose from that. I tend to recommend giving the band a good idea of the songs you like and then letting them come up with a playlist that they know will work well.

 

I think it’s best to give them the control to put something together for you so they can design the set list in a way that will work dynamically (there’s quite an art to designing a playlist that will get everyone up dancing and keep them there all night), and will keep the 'flow' going (a lot of bands will have little segways etc that will keep the party going without being too 'stop starty' and it’s a shame to break this by throwing in songs that may not work so well together).

 

It’s a difficult one because I totally understand that you'd want to have a say in what was played. I think the best thing is to try and work together with the band - let them know the sort of thing you and your guests will like, and then let them come up with something that they know will work well.

 

 

Q We are having a vintage wedding and were planning on just having a DJ. I have been reading an article on here about planning a vintage wedding and she recommends having 30s and 40s music like a swing band. Do you think this would be a better idea than having a DJ?

 

Another question, if we do have 30 / 40s music any suggestions on a band to perform or do you know where we could get a gramophone from? Do you think that would work?

 

A Wow, a vintage wedding sounds like a gorgeous idea!

 

First off, it may be because I am a singer and LOVE LOVE LOVE live music, but to me, if you can afford it, a live band is always a more exciting option than having a DJ, but I guess it really is a personal preference. I know a few swing bands who are fab. My favourite is called 'Funky Butt Swing Band' - I've seen them before and they are FAB! I can't seem to find their direct website but you can check them out on this agents site www.dansatak.com.

 

My band www.mibband.com can also do swing - we usually do a big mix of everything but if you wanted a full set of swing we could do that.

 

With regards to suggestions for songs - things like 'It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing', 'Get Happy' and 'Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend' are all favourites!

 

As for hiring a gramophone - I don't know anywhere off hand. You'll probably find you'd need to mic it up and put it through a PA system so make sure you've got either a DJ, Band or a sound engineer to ensure that can be done.

 

 

Q We had decided that we were going to have a DJ for the wedding as we did not think we could afford a band. We have saved elsewhere so this might now be an option. Rather than a band that plays traditional cheesy wedding music we would like a band to play indie music. Can you recommend any bands who would do this?

 

A Great idea! This is a really popular idea at the moment.

 

Not to keep going on about the bands that I run, but I do run a band exactly like this - check out www.21stcenturyriot.co.uk - they play lots of Killers, Kings of Leon, Kaiser Chiefs, Arctic Monkeys etc. It’s funny - when I put this together I designed it more for Universities and young corporate events, but it’s been hugely successful with weddings over anything else! The feedback has been fantastic and it really suits weddings of those who want something a little different to the usual cheesey function band tunes! Riot have recently added in some old rockier tunes by The Beatles, The Who, The Stones etc too, but they can perform a set of totally new & modern indie if you prefer.

 

Alternatively, there are a LOT of bands out there who do this so if Riot don't take your fancy, if you check out www.alivenetwork.com 's website they have a lot of indie/rock tributes that look brilliant (I haven’t seen any of them live to personally recommend though, but I know Alive Network are very fussy about the bands they represent so they will all be fab)

 

 

Q Please can you give us some ideas as to what type of music would be good to have during arrival drinks whilst people are having their pictures taken etc.

 

A Hmmm, again, this is totally down to personal preference but generally people tend to go for something more classical for these moments. Perhaps a string quartet would be nice? Or a harpist? Something gentle that will set a lush atmosphere is key.

 

Other ideas...

• What about a singer/guitar player, or a singer/pianist? This would be cheaper than a string quartet but I've seen it in this sort of situation before and it sets a gorgeous mood!
• Or a cocktail pianist/duo?
• A saxophonist is sometimes a nice touch too! You could get a sax player performing to backing tracks, or just roaming around your guests improvising.
• A classical or Spanish guitarist might also be a nice idea.
• I've also seen a steel band before at this moment which has set an entirely different feel to the day, but a good one! Especially great for summer weddings!

 

 

Q We are getting married on a Sunday. Will our music have to finish at 11pm?

 

A I'm unsure of the official law regarding this matter, but I do know that most wedding venues are very strict on finishing Sunday events by 11p.m. I don't know if that is to do with their own individual licences though. It’s probably best to check with the venue as to their specific rules.

 

 

Q We are having a civil ceremony and would like to have the instrumental intro to Tender by Blur to play as I come in, either on piano or maybe acoustic guitar. However, I've not heard anyone play this before.

 

What's the best way to find someone who can play this and is it OK to ask them to send a recording first so we can ensure that it has the right sound/tempo?

 

A Oh wow, what a lovely choice - I love that song! I'm just having a listen to it now and I think it would work on guitar or piano. Guitar would sound more authentic to the record, but piano may make it sound a little more 'weddingsy'!

 

I'd say you'd easily be able to find someone to do this, are you booking a band for later on? If so you could probably just ask the guitarist or pianist from the band to do this for you, and they'd just charge you a little extra.

 

If you don't have anything else musical going on later on you could hire someone in especially to play this for you. I could definitely provide someone for you, or just search on google for pianists or guitarists that play at wedding ceremonies.

 

I don't think you'll find anyone who will record them playing it for you, you might, but unless they have a home studio it will be very costly for them to get into the studio to record it for you. I'd say listen to their other demo recordings - it’s not a difficult part to play, so as long as they're relatively competent players they will be fine!

 

 

Q What would you say are the top ten best songs to get people up and dancing?

 

A Ha ha, great question. Obviously this depends a little on the audience’s age/tastes/mood, but generically, here's some ideas...

• I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas (Although my advice is keep this one for the DJ - I haven't heard one band who can make this sound right yet!)
• Dancing Queen - Abba
• Walking on Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves
• Mr Brightside - Killers
• Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon
• December 63 (Oh What a Night) - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
• Valerie - Amy Winehouse
• I Want You Back - Jackson 5
• Sweet Child of Mine - Guns N' Roses (for when you're guests are wanting a bit of air guitar!)
• Living on a Prayer - Bon Jovi

 

 

We’d like to say a huge thank you again to Sera for being on hand to offer her help and advice.  We hope this session has given you all lots of great ideas.

 

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Read other Wedding Advice articles