Wedding Entertainment Ideas
Here at Bands for Hire, we like to do things properly – so we've got the highest quality wedding entertainment for each individual stage of your wedding day. Different styles of music and sizes or styles of band are effective at different times during the day, so we've put together this guide to help you get the most out of your wedding entertainment.
Wedding Ceremony Music
What better way to welcome your wedding guests than with some scene setting music? Set the tone immediately as they walk in with something classy, like a wedding harpist, classical guitarist or jazz pianist. This period will usually only last around 30 minutes or so – and you can ask your wedding entertainment to play your processional and recessional music live as well, to make your ceremony even more special.
Wedding Breakfast Music
How about some tasty tunes to sink your teeth into as you tuck into your delicious wedding breakfast? In the run up to the much-anticipated speeches from the best man and the father of the bride, it always helps to have some sweet sounds to help your food go down smooth and keep the magical atmosphere intact (plus it'll give the kids something to focus on if they're getting restless). You don't want to distract people from their meals, but a little light instrumental jazz, piano playing or swing singing will go a long way. Depending on how long you're anticipating this part of your wedding to be, you might need to book your wedding entertainment for a coupe of sets lasting 45 minutes each.
Drinks Reception Music
What would be the perfect accompaniment to the mouth-watering cocktail you're sipping, out here in the sunshine? How about a solo guitarist, a string quartet or acoustic band? Something nice and rustic is definitely in order when you're in the fresh air, and acoustic instruments certainly are that. When you're wandering around, drink in hand, chatting with friends and relatives, having some light-hearted background music will really put a spring in your step. Again, you might want to plan a set or two to be played here – it's really up to you to decide how much mingling time your guests will need before it's time to dance!
Evening Reception Music
This is the part where the fun really begins! The newlyweds kick things off with their first dance – which you can request for your live band to learn for you, or else play from an iPod or similar device – then it's all hands on deck (or all feet on dance floor). It's around this time that we want to start thinking about Party Bands, jazz bands, rock bands, tribute bands – anything that's big and fun, in keeping with the kind of get-together you've been waiting for. The aim of the game here is widespread entertainment and mass appeal, so save up all the party anthems and cheesy one-hit-wonders for this part. Typically, your wedding entertainment for your reception will consist of a live set from a band followed by a wedding DJ, then, once your wedding band is sufficiently rested, another closing live set.
