Actor and comedian Niecy Nash once said, “Falling in love was the easy part; planning a wedding—yikes!” If you’re planning a wedding, you likely feel the same. In fact, there aren’t many things you’ll do in your life that should be wonderful but can end up causing you more stress than planning a wedding. And choosing the music for your nuptials is perhaps the most difficult aspect of your wedding plans. Unlike most other components of your special day that add just a single layer, your wedding’s music is multifunctional, having the capability of adding layer upon layer, element upon element through the emotions it will evoke. Every member of your wedding party, every guest, and most especially, you and your betrothed will elicit all manner of feelings from this one single aspect of your wedding. That’s why the music you choose for both your ceremony and your reception must be decided upon together, as the two of you come up with the best musical options you can find. Here’s a little checklist from top wedding performers in New Jersey that will help you choose just the right music for your nuptials.
Budget
In every aspect of your wedding, you must determine the budget beforehand. If you’ve already nailed down an overall budget and itemized it, you’re good. If not, you’re about as far from good as you can be. Decide your cash outlay for the wedding music, and be honest with yourself and each other. Nothing can bring a wedding to its knees quicker than running out of money. But remember: the music is one of the most vital components of your wedding; don’t skimp.
Wedding setting
Unintended rhyme notwithstanding, the setting of your wedding is a vital component to consider when deciding upon the music style. For instance, meshing a traditional venue with ultra-contemporary music can end up sounding like a mish-mosh of mush. If you’re getting married in a church, you’ll need to tailor your selections appropriately. In this case, consider classical instrumental music. If you’re holding the wedding outdoors, remember to consider the acoustics beforehand. Outdoor echoing or bad indoor acoustics can drown out singers, particularly if their voices won’t be amplified.
Singers, band, or DJ
Do you have a friend or family member with a beautiful singing voice? You may want to include him or her in the ceremony. However, if this friend isn’t a professional, you might want to reconsider them for the reception. Bands and DJs are both an excellent option for the reception. The decision comes down to which will be able to play your particular musical preferences, as well as which one will be most accommodating by your venue.
Music preferences?
This is your special day, so naturally, you and your spouse-to-be rank highest for musical preferences. Decide together the style(s) of music that will be performed, and come up with a list of songs you both love. However, don’t forget your loved ones as well as your guests when you’re compiling this list.
Additional tips
- For best overall results for your wedding, particularly the music part of it, don’t wait until the night before the wedding to have the rehearsal. Think of your wedding rehearsal as the run-through of a Broadway play. If Broadway producers waited until the night before the show to begin rehearsing—guess what? Disaster! Consider having your wedding rehearsal at least a week or two before your nuptials. If you find out there are issues with anything, you’ll have enough time to rectify the problem before the big day.
- When it comes to music, forget trendy—go with your own tastes. Trends come and go; you don’t want your marriage to do the same. Who cares what everyone else is doing? This is your wedding; it should be just how you want it to be. Choose the music that expresses how you and your partner feel about each other; then speak with the DJ, band, or singers to let them know all the songs that bring out those emotions.
Your music choices will set the tone for the whole wedding. That’s how powerful music can be. So when it comes to choosing the style of music and whether you’ll have a singer, DJ, band, or you’ll go some other route, remember that this is your day—but also remember this day is important to your loved ones as well. Consult with a top wedding performer in New Jersey for further inspiration on how to determine the best music for your wedding.