Reception music is not complicated, but it does have a variety of different elements. The SmartBride Checklist for Reception Music has a lot of suggestions, so please follow along and check mark those items that you want to explore.
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Reception music is not complicated, but it does have a variety of different elements. The SmartBride Checklist for Reception Music has a lot of suggestions, so please follow along and check mark those items that you want to explore.
Although we talked about a DJ vs a band, you also have choices of small ensembles, large combos, vocalists, and instrumentalists. Maybe you want a small ensemble playing classical music while your guests arrive at the reception site for cocktails, and have them play through the dinner hour. Maybe you would prefer an ethnic wedding song played with a three-piece band while your guests arrive. Maybe you are jazz fans and want a jazz combo playing while your guests arrive and through the dinner hour. Your music should be a reflection of your personal style and taste, but also appeal to the majority of your guests.
The song selections are usually made by your DJ or musicians, but you can a request a song list from them. A professional will play a variety of music, and gauge the crowd to play more of what is getting people up on the dance floor. But, there are some songs that you will want to choose as part of the wedding itinerary.
The first dance. The father/daughter dance. The mother/son dance. The wedding party dance. The garter toss music. The bouquet toss music. The dollar dance song. The last dance. It depends upon your family traditions, and how many of these elements you have in your wedding reception.
Sometimes, couples choose separate songs for the first dance, the father/daughter dance, the mother/son dance and so forth. Most songs are 3 to 5 minutes long, and this can slow or drag down the momentum of your wedding celebration—especially since these tend to be slow songs or waltz’s. The solution is to choose a song that both the father/bride and mother/groom can dance to. When the couple’s have ‘their song’ played, arrange to have the bridal party join them after the first chorus, so there is movement and things happening so your guests don’t get bored. Some couples choose to have another song following that, where everyone on the dance floor invites your guests to join them for the next dance. This gets the dance floor full, people up and moving, and those still sitting will often join in. You are looking for a nice, natural flow to events where your guests are caught up in the entertainment.
I have been at a wedding where there were three bands playing. One live band was the dance band. A mariachi band played while guests arrived, and strolled through the crowd playing when the dance band took their breaks later in the evening. As the evening wore on, the mariachi band left, and a traditional Columbian band took over the duties from the mariachi band. It was lively, festive, and the guests loved it. The bands were all dressed in full costume, and were expressive and entertaining. There was never a dull moment.
How you choose to express your personal style at your wedding is your choice, but you have many options available to you. Check out the SmartBride Checklist for all your reception music options.