One of the most important things you’ll need to consider when planning your wedding is the music. After a busy day of chatting, eating, drinking and celebrating, you’ll want guests to have a good time, let their hair down and throw some serious shapes long into the night. If you don’t get the music right at your wedding you’ll find that guests start to lose energy, and before long they’ll be booking taxis and making their way home.
So how do you pick the right music for your wedding? Here we’ll take you through the most common options.
Original bands
Many people like to book a band that performs original material that they have been following. This may be a great choice for the bride and groom who know the songs, but the reality is that most people like to dance to music that they already know and can sing along to. So if you’re going for an original band then it’s best to pick something with a party vibe – you could perhaps choose an upbeat stompy folk band, or maybe a swing band instead.
Cover bands
Cover bands are a great choice, but bear in mind that they are not all created equal! The good quality ones may well charge a little more, but it’ll be worth it as they will be experienced in knowing what the guests want to hear and keeping them on the dancefloor. Ask to see their showreel in advance so you can decide if their typical setlist is one that will work for you and your guests. And if there are any particular favourite songs you’d like them to play then ask them in advance – chances are that they’ll learn them for you.
Disco
One of the most popular choices for weddings is the good old disco! Make sure that the DJ you choose has good quality speakers and equipment, as well as good lighting too. You can give them your preferred setlist in advance, but they should also be able to take requests on the night.
Ceilidh
A wedding ceilidh is a great way for guests to get to know one another. Based around a few folk instrumentalists and a ‘caller’ who teaches the dance, ceilidhs (or barn dances) are easy dances that anyone can get the hang of – young or old. A quick search online will turn up a few options for you, or you could ask your friends for a recommendation.
Playlist
f you’re on a tight budget then you may want to sort out the music yourself. In this case, get an iPad or similar, make sure it’s charged, and queue it up with a playlist that you’ve built in advance to keep the party swinging. You will want to ensure that you have good quality speakers to make the most of the playlist.
Whatever music you choose, make sure you book it early as the good bands and DJs can get booked up a year in advance or more!
