| Planning the music for a wedding can and should be | | | | factor all this in before deciding which professional |
| fairly straightforward - the key is to begin to organise it | | | | musicians you need to engage. |
| at an early stage in the overall planning process. | | | | Research Music Agencies |
| Band Style and Timing | | | | Careful research at this stage will pay dividends. |
| First, consider at which points in the day you would like | | | | Increasingly, the Internet is a good and generally reliable |
| to have music played: before and during the | | | | source of useful information about musicians, bands |
| ceremony: after the ceremony at the drinks reception: | | | | etc. who specialise in wedding and party entertainment. |
| during the formal wedding meal: as evening | | | | Consult a music agency (maybe several) in your area, |
| entertainment for the party. Next, think about the | | | | or even nationally, to obtain the widest range of |
| style(s) of music you would choose (taking into | | | | appropriate possibilities, as well as a reasonably firm |
| account the likely age-range and diversity of musical | | | | idea of the likely cost for each. Here are 10 reasons to |
| tastes of your guests). Finally, think through the logistics | | | | book wedding music through a reputable music |
| of the occasion (how many guests will be attending, | | | | agency. Compile a shortlist of potential candidates, first |
| how big are the reception and entertainment rooms at | | | | ensuring their availability for your chosen date and |
| the chosen venue, etc.) to help ascertain how many | | | | venue. Many musicians will be prepared to travel |
| musicians will be needed at each stage, and the direct | | | | considerable distances, but this will add to the cost, so |
| result this will have on the cost. | | | | a more local choice might be preferable. |
| Make the Best of Your Musicians | | | | Draw Up a Contract |
| With economy and efficiency in mind, plan how you | | | | Finally, take a critical look at your budget before |
| can make the best use of your musicians. With | | | | coming to a firm decision. If booking musicians through |
| judicious research, it is often possible to find a group of | | | | an agency, a little further consultation may well be |
| musicians who would be able to play for several if not | | | | helpful in making your final choice. Then go ahead and |
| all of the phases in the day described above; for | | | | book them while they are still available to play for you. |
| instance, a string quartet or a harpist could go on to | | | | Talk over fine details (timings, special musical requests, |
| play for the drinks reception and the formal meal, or | | | | etc.) with the agent, or better still, with the bandleader |
| the evening party band might be able to provide | | | | or the individual musicians concerned. Make sure that |
| background jazz/easy-listening music for the reception | | | | as much detail as is reasonably possible is included in a |
| and meal. Naturally, such combination of functions | | | | contract to be drawn up between you and the |
| usually makes economic sense. | | | | musicians or their agent. During the intervening period |
| Consider a Quiet Period | | | | leading up to the wedding date itself, certain fine details |
| Of course, it's certainly not essential to have live music | | | | of your requirements may change (exact timings, for |
| performed at every stage of the day, and you may | | | | instance), but wedding musicians are usually prepared |
| prefer to plan quieter periods (perhaps the formal meal, | | | | to be flexible within reason, so keep them informed of |
| for example) when you and your guests can simply | | | | your plans - they are there to entertain your guests |
| relax and talk. You may have relatives or friends who | | | | and to make your big day extra-special. |
| might be called upon to entertain at certain points - | | | | |