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Booking live
music for your ceremony, drinks reception or wedding breakfast
will magically enhance your special day. Your musicians will be alert
to what is going on during the proceedings and ‘fill in’ any
gaps that occur. For example, if the Bride is late or there is some
kind of delay in the proceedings they will carry on playing during
those nervous quiet moments! Your musicians can also make a real
difference to a wedding processional as they will play until the
bride has finished making her entrance and will then fade out - no
waiting for the CD to finish and then having it abruptly turned off.
 A good music group will have a mixed repertoire that caters for
all age groups. Having musicians at your drinks reception and wedding
breakfast creates a real focal point for your guests, and will create
a good ambience to help get your celebrations underway.
As a rule background music for weddings breaks up into the following
three separate sections:
-
If you are having a civil, church wedding or blessing there is
the ceremony itself. This involves playing as guests arrive, a processional
as the bride makes her entrance, during the signing of the register,
and a recessional whilst leaving the room.
-
Drinks reception after the service (usually whilst photos are
happening, as there can be general milling around for the guests).
- During the wedding breakfast.
Civil ceremonies
- The registrars do not usually
allow guests into the room until about 10 - 15 minutes before the
start of the ceremony - your musicians will start playing as soon
as the guests arrive in the room prior to the start of ceremony.
Then, perform a processional whilst the bridal party enters, 2 pieces
during the signing of the register, and then a recessional as the
bride and groom leave the room.
Church ceremonies
- Guests usually arrive a bit
earlier so your musicians would start playing about 15 - 20 minutes
prior to the start of the ceremony. Depending on whether the church
has an organ and organist, you may want the organist to play the
recessional or processional. Hymns almost always sound better on
an organ. Unless your guests are regular singers at church you may
wish to book a choir or singer to help lead the hymns.
Drinks receptions
- usually 1 ½ hours (as
the meal is normally 2 - 2 ½ hours after the start of the
service). You will need to consider in advance whether your drinks
reception will be based totally outdoors. Most musicians don't
like playing outdoors, as it not good for the instruments and music
needs an acoustic to travel. So if your reception is to be outside
do check to see whether there is sheltered spot that musicians
can gather on. Most receptions have a room indoors adjacent to
the gardens where guests can base themselves if they do not wish
to go outside. With windows and doors open, it may well be that
that will be the best place for musicians to set up as the sound
will carry outside. If your venue does not have that option and
you are booking a string quartet or harpist make sure that they
have a hard level ground surface to set up on and that there is
shelter on at least 2 sides around them, a gazebo is good. Most
venues have a regular sheltered spot that musicians use, but be
guided by what the venue usually provides and the space available.
Check with your entertainment agent prior to booking as they shall
be able to find out from the venue or via the musicians if they
have performed at your venue previously.
Wedding breakfast
- You should expect your musicians
to be ready to play in the room at the start of the line up - normally
20 minutes prior to the sit down time arranged with the hotel. They
will then play during the meal, until coffee is served. This will
give musicians enough time to pack up and leave the room discreetly
before the speeches start. Make sure that you let the venue know
that you have booked musicians as this will affect the way they layout
the room, and also tell them the space requirements for your musicians.
The venue can then advise you as to whether they can then be fitted
into the room comfortably - for most venues this is usually not a
problem.
Wedding reception
– This is when the party
really starts! With regards to booking a Party Band, Theme Act or
Tribute Band, please refer to Warble Entertainment’s ‘Guide
to Booking a Party Band’.
And remember, your musicians are able to create the perfect ambiance
to make your day truly special, and by booking your wedding music
through Warble Entertainment you can rest assured that this is what
it will be.
Things to remember when booking wedding music
- Live musicians have the ability to be flexible
Musicians are alert to the day’s proceedings and are able
to vary their performance accordingly so as to ‘fill’ any
gaps and maintain the perfect ambience for your special moments.
Make sure that any wedding music you are considering booking is
able to perform any special pieces that you require. This can be
done by checking through the artists repertoire lists (available
on all profiles) or by calling one of our expert Entertainment agents.
The guides offered above outline how long a ceremony, wedding breakfast
etc. normally last. Consider how long you will need the artist for,
as last minute changes may not be possible if the act has another
engagement.
- To perform outside or not?
Whilst musicians will perform outside always consider our changeable
British climate and ensure that there is adequate shelter out of
direct sunlight and wind. Also consider the ground’s surface-
especially with regards to harpists or string quartets.
- Make sure there is enough space for your chosen act
Whether this is at the church, civil ceremony, drinks reception
or breakfast, ensure that there is enough space for your chosen act
to comfortably be able to perform.
- Booking Wedding Music will create the perfect ambience to your
day
Warble Entertainment represents only the most professional and outstanding
Wedding Musicians, so, you can rest assured that when booking wedding
music with Warble your event will be one to remember and truly special!
Thanks to Arabesque Duo for providing the content for this article.
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