Congratulations on your engagement! This is a really exciting time in your life. It’s also probably going to be a bit stressful.
During this next year, I want to walk through this process with you. I’ll give you a 12 Month Guide to planning your wedding and explain things along the way. You can start from the beginning here (click). Come back to this blog each week for the next installment.
Week 10 – DJs and Musicians
Hope you’re search for bakers and caterers is off to a great and tasty start! This week we’re going to look at DJs and musicians.
As before, there are several lists of questions available to ask DJs and musicians. I’m hoping to give you some other things to focus on instead of generic questions that may or may not mean anything to you.
Here are the top four things I recommend you look for:
1. Personality
Does the DJ and/or the musicians bring the personality you want to feel at the wedding? Are you planning a formal affair? Maybe you want to have musicians play classics quietly in the background. If you want something more energetic or involve the audience then you’ll probably look for a DJ and or band. Find people you relate to who understand the feeling you are wanting to create.
2. Price
I’m really focusing on this one a lot, aren’t I? Why, because money is a big issue for many couples and I want to help you get started on the right foot. What does your budget say you can spend on music? Look at what you have and price around. Maybe instead of a stringed quartet, you get a single harpist or violinist. Instead of a full band, get a DJ with dancing lights. Find ways to compromise if your budget doesn’t allow for “the dream”.
3. Quality
Find vendors who are good at what they do. If the DJ is boring, brash or vulgar, you and your guests probably aren’t going to enjoy the evening very much. If the musicians squeak their way through the bridal march, you might lose focus of what’s in front of you (although that didn’t happen when I got stage fright while playing, so who knows). If you enjoy what the person can bring to the table and think your guests will too, then the vendor should be in your top picks.
4. Experience
Again, it’s not the main thing, but it is a factor. Pick people who are experienced at performing for groups, and are good at it. Personally, I had almost a decade of experience for two different instruments; however, I had terrible stage fright and two weddings later decided to just play for myself. The experience in performing well is the main thing for DJs and musicians, no matter how many years it took to get there.
Take this week to decide what you want in wedding music (this doesn’t necessarily mean specific songs) and start contacting the vendors who can make it happen. What’s one song you’re looking forward to using?
Next week we’ll talk about attire for the groom and groomsmen!
Katelyn is a certified wedding planner. She is available for consultations.
She will even meet with you on Skype to help you work through part of your wedding planning.
Click here for more information.