Choosing your wedding music may not be at the top of your planning priorities right now, but it is important that you start thinking about it sooner rather than later. Just like everything else has to suit and complement the style of your big day, so too should your wedding music. Believe it or not your wedding music is incredibly important as it provides the backdrop to your special night. When done right, it is often the secret ingredient that brings everything together and gives that touch of magic. I recently caught up with Gabriel Latchin, founder of April in Paris, who was only too happy to offer Style & the Bride readers his expertise and top 10 tips for choosing your wedding music.
April in Paris can help you decide on the type of wedding music that will suit the style of your big day.
1. Style
Think about the music that would suit the style of your day. Vintage versus contemporary. Rustic versus glamorous. Romantic versus bohemian. At April in Paris, we aim to tailor the music to enhance the mood our clients wish to create. Popular requests include soft, romantic music during the ceremony, followed by an upbeat, toe-tapping atmosphere during the drinks reception. We always discuss this with the couple before recommending appropriate options.
2. The Venue
Always consider whether the music will work practically in your chosen venue. A solo harpist could be wonderful in a library, but may be lost outdoors in a garden. Also, many venues may have restrictions, such as volume limits or access issues. A good quality, professional band will be used to working within such constraints and the leader should be able to foresee any problems and advise on solutions. We also provide a specialist sound engineer to assess the venue beforehand and decide on what equipment is most appropriate.
3. Choosing a band
When trying to find a musician or band for your big day, it is easy to get lost in a sea of options. Rather than searching the Internet, I always encourage getting recommendations and advice from others where possible. Whether this is through your wedding planner, friends or even a great band you’ve seen, this is a sure-fire way to ensure a great performance.
It is always a good idea to get personal recommendations from former brides when it comes to wedding music. Photograph by London Wedding Photographer Kerry Morgan.
4. Hear the band
I believe it’s vital that your hear what you are getting before you commit to hiring a band. Expect to see a showreel of their work – this will give you a good idea of their overall sound and appearance. This is also more convenient than trying to see the band live as most successful wedding bands will be busy playing at private events.
Gabriel Latchin of April in Paris believes that it is imperative that you go hear the band you like before booking them.
5. The playlist
Remember it’s your special day, so your input to the music is essential. That said, an experienced band leader can often make many helpful suggestions along the way. Key moments to consider are the music walking down the aisle, during the signing, any specific performances or hymns during the ceremony, and of course the first dance.
6. Talk it through
Talk to your band leader about your ideas and ask for advice. Remember, they often have a wealth of knowledge and experience and should be able to guide you. At April in Paris, we know that planning a wedding is a busy time and our professional band leaders can help take away some of that stress.
7. Contract
Any reputable band will ensure everything is agreed in writing before the big day. We advise this to protect both you and the musicians involved. On booking your band, expect the contract to include details such as date, location, playing hours, contact information and fees.
8. Insurance
Ask about Public Liability insurance (PLI) and Portable Appliance test (PAT) certificates prior to booking your band. Most venues will request these certificates and every reputable band should be able to provide them.
9. What to pay
Like many elements of your big day, I believe that investing in a band or musician does pay off. You may get a range of quotes from different groups which usually reflects the playing time, location of the wedding, and the quality and experience of the musicians themselves. We credit ourselves on delivering polished musicians with a well-rehearsed repertoire that they can perform flawlessly. If budget is an issue then having less musicians can often be the solution, for example a trio as opposed to a quintet.
10. Choose a specialist
As a professional musician myself, I would advise booking through an agency that specialises in a certain style of music. Many very large agencies will appear to offer every available type of music. They can also offer a less than personal approach and you can end up feeling a little dime a dozen. As a boutique agency, we have a small, handpicked roster of highly trained classical and jazz musicians. We pride ourselves on delivering the best quality music with a personal touch to ensure we get your special day just right.
The post Top 10 Tips For Choosing Your Wedding Music appeared first on Style & The Bride.