Entertainment: There Is Another Way...

The average wedding reception lasts between five and six hours. This can seem a very long time if you get the entertainment wrong. Don’t just rely on who the hotel may recommend, choosing the right performers is a major decision for your big day.
You'd be forgiven for thinking that you have only two choices when considering music for your wedding;

1) A DJ, with a large pre-recorded music collection. Or
2) A live band who will usually only perform for ninety minutes

Of course, you can book both to ensure music all night, but this is where the costs really start to rise. Be wary of bands who say that they will also do the disco, they often cannot rival the music collection or skill of a dedicated DJ. When their live set is finished, the evening can suffer a lull - ruining the atmosphere for everyone. If booked separately, the band will often pack up before your DJ finishes – using the dancefloor for their cases, boxes and cables. Combine this with the added set-up time and your guests’ dancing could be severely limited.

Finding the right DJ is also tricky. You need someone who not only has the tools but the personality to build a great night. Anyone can play songs back to back, but a real DJ will choose the right music and engage the audience. The golden rule when booking is to meet your prospective DJ. If you've seen them work, all the better but the key is to talk and let them know exactly what you want - after all, it’s your party. A DJ should ask for a list of songs in advance to ensure they have your favourites. Some even have the ability to download songs on the night, meaning they can play any request!

Luckily, there is a third option. Why not hire singers who use backing tracks as opposed to a live band? Not using musicians keeps their costs down and they can pass this onto you. You still get all the audience interaction of a live performer and, in many cases; these acts will have experience DJing. (Not relying on a band means becoming a jack of all trades.)
They also take up far less space than a band and would require fewer power sockets. This is crucial if you are using a marquee or a stately home that often have limited power supplies.
Experienced wedding singers choose the right songs to get your guests up dancing. They will often give you a choice of sets to suit the theme of your wedding and fit with your tastes.

Of course, the same booking pitfalls apply to all of the options. You might find a DJ who announces he can sing then murders his karaoke collection in front of your dumbstruck guests. If you are looking for a live singer, you should find answers to the following questions:

Have you experience performing at weddings? Where?
Do you use professional backing tracks?
What style of songs can you sing?
Do you take live requests?

A good performer will have a number of live sets they can tailor for any audience. They may even be able to learn the odd request to sing for you. Again, watch for the one who says he can 'sing anything.' Good performers know their limitations - this person may well turn out to be a karaoke crooner.

You should also ask any entertainer how long they are willing to play for. Many DJs charge extra if they play more than five hours and demand cash up front. Nobody wants to be searching for money when they should be having fun, so ensure you secure an ‘all-inclusive’ deal.

One rule always applies when booking; Meet them face to face. Would you book a venue without seeing it? Arrange to have a chat, tell them what you want and let them show you what they have to offer.

Experienced entertainers will always advise you as to what works and adapt their performance to help create your perfect big day. Good luck!


By James Mccann
James Mccann – Get Wed

www.getwed.biz