13/11/2024

Perfect Day

Perfect Day Wedding

9 Tips For Hiring Wedding Ceremony Musicians

9 Tips For Hiring Wedding Ceremony Musicians

After the date has been set, the flowers have been ordered, and the dress has been fitted, the focus of wedding planning turns to the more intricate details of the ceremony and reception — especially music.

Incorporate as little or as much music as you’d like on your wedding day.

Live wedding ceremony musicians add a great touch of personality to your celebration. Organ or piano? Jazz or swing? Whichever you prefer, you’ll need gifted and reliable talent to provide the music on your special day.

The musicians you choose for your wedding ceremony can have a huge impact on how the big day is remembered — by both you and your spouse…and your guests. Before you sign on the dotted line, keep in mind these tips designed to help make sure that the musicians you choose are a perfect fit.

1. Consider the theme or style of your wedding for help in selecting the type of musician you’d like to have play. Be sure it fits the style of your day. Romantic? How about a harp. Classic? Maybe a string quartet. Traditional? Perhaps an organist. A little bit country? Try a 12-string guitar.

2. Consider the size of your guest list and venue.A smaller space and number of attendees might require a more intimate musical setting — just a piano player or harpist.

3. Check with the contact person at your venue.Many venues, particularly churches, have rules about the type of music that’s allowed. Also, some venues may have a list of ceremony musicians from which to choose.

4. Check in with your spouse-to-be.It’ll be more memorable for both of you if you make the selection together, and you might be surprised to find out that your fiance/fiancee has some specific ideas about the music for the wedding.

5. Ask potential musicians for references.Experienced wedding musicians will have a long list of happy couples who can vouch for their talent and professionalism.

6. Preview a performance.Ask to attend an upcoming event at which your potential musicians are performing.

7. Get a contract. If you’re hiring professional musicians to play, be sure to get a written contract for their services. Be prepared to put down a deposit, and ask about their protocol for future touch-base meetings and selecting the music.

8. Hire musicians who can multi-task. Do you want instrumental and vocal music? Select an instrumentalist who can play all the parts of the ceremony, including accompanying the vocalist. This will help cut down on the budget and the number of people involved. On a super-tight budget? Hire a piano or guitar player who also sings.

9. Trust your gut.He may be a virtuoso violinist, but if something about the guy you’re considering doesn’t seem quite right, move on to your next choice.