Live Music at the Reception

Planning a wedding is a major undertaking for anyone and there are myriad details that need to be addressed. You quickly learn that it’s never too soon to begin thinking about the details and planning for the music is a significant part of the process. Most individuals have never coordinated music for a large event such as a wedding reception and aren’t familiar with all of the features that an experienced band can provide to make the reception a success.

Having experienced musicians working for you is like having an on site wedding coordinator to make sure all of your details are addressed during the reception. When you provide specific details, the entertainers you hire can be much more than simply a source of music. They can perform emcee and additional functions such as:

* Introducing the wedding party
* Announcing toasts and present the person to deliver the blessing
* Coordinating with the caterer regarding instructions for the serving of meals
* Synchronizing with photographers and videographers to ensure great pictures from the reception
* Announce special events such as the Bride & Groom first dance and all other special dances
* Coordinating the cutting of the cake
* Orchestrating the tossing of the garter and/or bouquet
* Highlighting the newlywed's departure to begin their new life together

As far as selecting the band, we’re very lucky in St. Louis because we have several great options so have fun doing your research. Some questions to consider might be:

What is your musical vision for the reception? Your tastes might lean toward jazz, swing, pop, Motown, rock, country, hip hop, R&B, or all of these styles? If you select a band that can only play a few of these styles “authentically” then you’ll likely lose your guests early in the reception. Selecting a band with a diverse capability will ensure that all of your guests hear something they enjoy and they will want to stay all evening. Simply put, consider your guests' anticipated musical interests in addition to your own.

Is what you hear on the demo CD representative of a live performance? Ask if the vocalists and musicians are going to be the ones that you’re hiring. Ask if all the instruments you hear on the CD are going to be part of the band at the reception. For example, if you like the sounds of Motown, R & B, and swing music then the band needs to have a great horn section. Some bands have a group of vocalists and musicians that play in different combinations so you don’t want to be disappointed if the band that shows up isn’t what you expected. You should also make sure the band is capable of playing any special ethnic material, e.g., traditional Jewish songs, if that’s something you will need.

Does the band have a male and female vocalist? The repertoire of songs expands a great deal when there is both a male and female singer and songs can be done more authentically when you have a male and female vocalist. As good as a vocalist may be, it can get tiresome to hear the same voice the entire evening.

Is your friend’s suggestion right for your wedding vision? It can be helpful to learn of bands that friends had at their weddings, but don’t let someone else’s insistence be the reason you choose a band. It may be a great band, but not the right one for you. Try to be open-minded when you start your search.

Finally, does the band have liability insurance to protect you (and them) if something unexpected should happen?

Some venues require their vendors have insurance so it's best to check this ahead of time to avoid any future issues.


Tim Callihan is a member of the Federation of Musicians and manager of The Spectrum Band in St. Louis.