Tips for Hiring Wedding Musicians
The wedding is a public display of love, devotion, and commitment to your betrothed in front of everyone you’ve ever known. For many childfree brides and grooms, it is their crowning achievement, their best life moment. To help create these special memories, most couples know that hiring live musicians to perform at their wedding ceremony is a treat, both for them and for their guests. This article comes from the experience of performing at many different weddings.
Soundtrack
Music plays a big part in the character of your ceremony — it is your wedding soundtrack. Most couples make use of the pipe organ, violins or other strings, trumpets or other brass, maybe a flute or two, or perhaps a clever combination of the above. Some couples are extremely traditional, using Klezmer music in a Jewish wedding, for example. Others are musicians themselves, and actually perform during their own wedding! More contemporary music lovers might program tunes from a Broadway show or a favorite jazz composer.
Outdoor Music
If your ceremony is in a church or cathedral, the echo will help make the music elegant and joyful, no matter who is playing. However, if your wedding is outside, you might have to deal with excessive temperature, wind, or extraneous sounds.
Consider using louder instruments that carry well, such as those from the brass family. There is nothing wrong with flutes, clarinets, or violins, but they are not built for sound projection, and you will need more players to get the same volume as a brass player. On the other hand, if you truly prefer strings or woodwinds, there’s nothing holding you back.
It is up to you and your betrothed to choose wedding music that reflects your musical wishes for the day. So, not only will you pick the pieces, instruments, and styles, but you should also choose a venue that allows the music to shine through, accompanying your wedding’s stunning visuals!
Communicate
Professional musicians will do their utmost to perform exactly the way you want. However, soon-to-be-newlyweds and wedding planners must remember that the musicians you hire should still be kept in the loop to avoid any miscommunication before and during the ceremony. This will allow them to prepare properly and to concentrate on creating a beautiful musical backdrop by playing the right tunes at the right times.
At the very least, you should give them three basics: The names and order of the pieces you want them to play, exact cues for when to start and finish these pieces, and frequent eye contact in case of a delay or other mishap.
Details
Perhaps you have chosen Ode to Joy by Beethoven, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach, Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke, and Canon in D by Pachelbel. (It helps to know the composer’s last name, since some pieces by different composers have the same title.)
Give the musicians specifics on when you expect to hear them. For example:
- “Wait a few seconds after the organist has finished his prelude, then start the Bach.”
- “I want Jesu for when the mothers are escorted in. I’ll cue you from the back.”
- “Please start the Pachelbel piece as soon as you see the first bridesmaid enter.”
- “Sherri will cue you from the door when we’re ready for Trumpet Voluntary .”
Relax
If this is too much detail or you’re planning a more laid-back ceremony, simply place the musicians where they can see the person who will give them a nod or some other cue for starting the music. It’s a good idea to have the musicians up front and off to the side, especially if they are to be playing along with an organist.
However, if there are no other musicians playing, you can place the group wherever you want. Just make sure they can see the ceremony’s progress, since a sanctuary full of standing wedding guests does not bode well if the musicians need a visual cue from someone across the room.
Cost vs. Value
Trying to save money by hiring musicians for little or no cost can be dangerous. The phrase you get what you pay for also works with live music, so listen to potential groups online or in person before hiring, if possible. At the very least, get a personal recommendation from someone you trust.
Once you find a group you like, find out what they usually charge and ask yourself if their quote fits into your wedding budget. See if they’re willing to negotiate; some will, some won’t. If you’re still not sure, it’s time to be bluntly honest with yourself and figure out your priorities. Do you forgo the musicians and save some money, or do you provide live music to add that extra sparkle to your wedding?
Summary
In general, please be aware that musicians or singers may perform during the prelude, the processional/bridal procession, a chosen hymn during the ceremony, the recessional, the postlude/greeting line, and even the reception. A professional ensemble will strive to achieve exactly what you want, and many will even make suggestions.
If you want a recording, get a recording; if you want live, professional musicians who know their art well, but can follow your lead if something unexpected happens, give them all the details of your ceremony and make them feel welcomed. In turn, they will help create lasting musical memories for you and your guests.
This article was originally published on Helium.com, September, 2008.
Copyright Len Morse. Published 1 May 2009 in The Zone.
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