E Joseph Crossman stated that “Love is friendship set to music “and this is certainly true when it comes to planning a wedding and getting married.  Choosing the right music for your wedding and hiring the right musicians are essential elements that demand special consideration and due care. This article will address some of the key points you need to think about in planning the music for your wedding.

Think about the size of the venue and guest list

A good initial point to think about is the number of guests you plan to invite and the size of the venue. If you are planning an intimate wedding, then look at hiring a harpist, classical guitarist, violinist or piano player.  At a larger venue, you could think about a string quartet, or a duo act such as violin and piano, or guitar and voice. Some instruments will work well in either setting; a wedding pianist or guitarist could use an amplifier to boost the sound.

Check with the contact person about what music is appropriate

Some venues, particularly churches, have certain rules on what music is allowed. At this stage, it is certainly worth phoning the contact person at the venue, as you may find your favourite death metal track is a clear no no!

Will my song choices work on the instrument(s) I have chosen?

This question is often overlooked, but extremely important in planning a wedding. Inform the musician(s) about your song choices for the ceremony and see if they are happy to play them. How will your favourite jazz standard sound on the harp? Will that piece of classical music really suit a guitar and vocal duet? Usually, everything works out fine, but I can recall one or two weddings ceremonies where some great songs have simply not worked on the chosen instruments. If in doubt, ask the musician(s) for their advice.

Check the quality of the musicians

So you know the songs and the instruments you want to hear them on, but what about the musicians themselves? Check their website thoroughly by watching videos and reading testimonials. Do not totally rely on audio recordings as they can be edited in a studio. Better still, see them live. The advantage of choosing musicians in your area is that they might play gigs in a local venue. Finally, make sure they have a booking agreement you can both sign.

Hire musicians who are versatile

Can the musician(s) play for the reception as well as the ceremony? This can be a real bonus and take away the hassle of finding a different act for another part of the wedding. You may find certain instruments, such as a harp, violin or string quartet are best suited for just the ceremony, where as a pianist, guitarist or a duo act can usually play for the ceremony and reception. These types of acts usually possess a wide repertoire and offer versatility when it comes to playing different genres of music. This is important as your guests will undoubtedly have different tastes in music.

As a final point to consider, trust your instinct when it comes to hiring musicians for your wedding. Do they seem professional? Are they taking too long to send you a booking agreement? If something does not feel right, then don’t book them. There are plenty of other musicians out there who will do a great job for you.  Music is one of the most memorable aspects of a wedding and if you consider your options carefully, you are bound to make the right choice.