THE
Heartbeat
ROGER KIRBY
OF THE
WEDDING RECEPTION
MUSIC IS THE HEART & SOUL OF A PARTY
Good music can transform a dead end street; lame music can ruin a wedding wherever it’s held so for just a few minutes
or even a few hours forget about everything else and focus your undivided attention on your music provider.
BY SHARI REINHART
Check out wedding bands and DJs factoring in the type of
entertainment that suits your taste, budget, space constraints,
guest list and favourite dance music and don’t take forever making
a decision because live bands and DJs can get booked up to a year
in advance. Whether you decide to go with a DJ or a band it is they
who will breathe life into the party. The goal is to get people out of
their seats and onto the dance floor.
CONSIDER THE CROWD
The type of music you choose will set a tone for your wedding. Think
about the general demographic of your guests and what genre
best reflects the kind of fun you want to have, your personality
and your personal taste in music. For example, big band sounds
are generally best live and the way the music is delivered; by live
band or DJ also affects the ambience.
Stefan Jez of Uptown Xpress Productions Mobile DJ Entertainment
is all ears when it comes to the wedding couple’s directions with
regards to entertainment “The focus is always, always on what
the couple tells us. Whether it’s different types of music, ambient
lighting, dance floor lighting, or animation it’s our business to
make it a night remembered for how fun the entertainment was.”
92
2016
MIX IT UP
He’s rock and roll but you’re rhythm and blues? No worries!
Musical variety is the main ingredient to “a good time was had by
all” so whichever way you go, band or DJ, they’re sure to bring a
playlist that includes a solid combination of fast and slow, old and
new tunes.
Choosing a band for the wedding entertainment is like saying
“yes” to real musicians putting on a show. For example,
Tommy Green, Director of Preville Big Band says, “having live
entertainment is an invitation to a vibrant emotional connection
between the musicians and the guests. We even bring the
trombones right out on the dance floor while playing In the
Mood and the guests eat it up!”
For those with a very mixed crowd of young and old who aren’t
opposed to spending a little extra a band can wrap things up at
midnight and then a DJ can go on at 12:30 for a couple of hours.
In any case, whatever you decide if money’s an issue then don’t
skimp on the music. One less platter at dinner or a slightly smaller
centerpiece for the tables won’t affect the party but mediocre
music could mean mediocre fun.