A wedding reception is a time to celebrate the love between you
and your fiancé that will last a lifetime. The perfect way to do
this is through dancing. Dancing lightens the mood and makes for
an enjoyable evening. But remember, to have a successful dance
you need to have the right music. Choose music that you and your
fiancé enjoy and something that the guests will feel comfortable
dancing to.
The music that you play throughout the entire reception, whether
or not you dance, will set the tone of the event. As a rule of
thumb, most couples play soft, slow music at the beginning of
the reception to set a light mood. While guests are eating or
after they have eaten, pick up the tempo. This will encourage
dancing to really start the celebration. When it is time for the
reception to be ending, slow down the music again; this will be
a clue to the guests that it will end soon.
When preparing a playlist, try to compile a variety of music
styles. Since this is your day, include your and your fiancé's
favorite songs. A well-rounded mix will include styles such as
jazz, classical, oldies, country, swing, and rock and roll.
Review the playlist with the bandleader or DJ. If you are stuck
on what to play, consult the bandleader and DJ. They will have
more experience with weddings and will be able to tell you
popular weddings songs. They might even already have a playlist
that you can review and use if you prefer.
When hiring a DJ, you shouldn't have to worry about the amount
or selection of music he or she has. This is something you might
consider though when hiring a live band. You will need to make
sure that the band can play any type of music that you want
played, although if you are working with a band that is
experienced at playing for weddings, this shouldn't be a huge
problem.
Coordinate with your DJ or live band when you will cut the cake,
throw the bouquet and garter, and dance to the first song. This
way they will know when to stop and start the music. Some DJs
and bandleaders will even double as Master of Ceremonies for
you. Before hiring a DJ, make an appointment to talk with them,
try to listen to them perform somewhere else so you can get an
idea of what they will do at your reception. Also, know what
kind of sound system the DJ uses or if there is already a system
he or she can use at your reception location.
Many couples prefer to hire both a DJ and a live band,
alternating them during the festivities. This will give them
each time to rest and also enjoy the night, although DJs won't
need as many breaks as a live band. Remember to add these
professionals onto the list of who is eating for the caterers;
these people will also need to eat and drink during the
event.
However you decide to do the music at your wedding and
reception, it will make for a great event. Background music sets
a nice tone and encourages guests to mingle and chat. Louder,
faster music will get the dancing started right away. Either
way, you, your loved one, and your guests will have a great
time.
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