A wedding can be a roller coaster of emotions, not only for the couple but also for their guests if they nail the perfect entertainment for the day.
In our years of celebrating weddings with almost every kind of couple imaginable, the best way to go on about creating a memorable day is by having great entertainment throughout the event.
You may be asking yourself:
- What makes great entertainment?
- How do you find good musicians?
- How can I cater to everyone?
Don’t worry, we’ve made this little guide for you that’s filled with the best tips, advice, and considerations for finding the best wedding entertainment.
Choose the type of wedding entertainment
First thing’s first, what music do you prefer?
Think of something that you truly enjoy as a couple. Cover songs? Classical violins? Jazz? Bossa Nova renditions of your favourite songs?
Next, you need to decide whether you are more interested in live music or a DJ. If you are thinking of opting for live music, you need to consider:
- What type of musician are you after?
- Will it be a full band or an acoustic duo?
- Perhaps you just want an experienced wedding singer?
If you don’t favour live music, you will need a DJ to oversee the playing of the music. A combination of these choices can be a good option, too.
You also have to consider your wedding venue when choosing your wedding entertainment. If you plan to have an intimate wedding and your venue is a bit small, then a five-piece band might not feel right.
On the other hand, a garden venue which has a lot of space will require some louder and livelier wedding entertainment.
Do a thorough research
Just like when choosing the right wedding celebrant, there are different ways to find wedding entertainment.
Referrals from family, friends and other wedding vendors are a great start. Going to wedding fairs will also help. You can also search online to help you create a shortlist of wedding entertainers that you like the look of.
Unlike with wedding celebrants, you can see what you’re going to get with wedding entertainers before hiring them. You can go to the wedding band or DJ’s Facebook and YouTube accounts to watch their promotional videos and past performances.
Websites like weddingwire.com have reviews of different wedding entertainment providers as well. These sites can give you an idea of the wedding band or singer’s style of music and overall sound.
Make sure that you do your research and check reviews because it will give you the best opportunity to find the right wedding entertainment.
Pick a band that can play a variety of music
If you want to have live music during your wedding, then it’s best to find an entertainer who’s good at playing different styles of music.
Whether it’s a band or a solo singer, your choice of entertainer should sound great with slow ballads and instrumentals for the ceremony and also be comfortable singing R&B love songs while you’re enjoying the reception.
And when it’s time for everyone to dance, the wedding entertainer must have a good number of upbeat songs to keep the party going. In which case, you may have to think twice about hiring solo singers because they have limited materials for party music.
Adjusting the playlist
With a pair of turntables or a controller, a DJ can play your custom wedding playlist and all additional songs that may be requested during the day/night.
However, with a wedding band or solo singer, it’s totally different.
Live wedding entertainers usually have their own repertoire of music for the entire wedding celebration. If you want to tweak their song list, it’ll entail more work for them to learn the songs that you like and you may be charged extra for it.
That’s why it’s important to find a wedding entertainer that can adjust their song list and be flexible to do more songs during your special day as you need.
If you can’t find a wedding entertainer who is flexible enough for you, look for the one who’s song list has many songs that you like. This way you may not have to request that the singer learns any new material.
DJ service for band breaks
Live wedding entertainers will have a break or multiple breaks in-between sets, which could bring the party to a stop, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
During your interview with potential entertainment providers, ask if they will provide a DJ service or loop some pre-recorded music during their breaks. Give the wedding entertainer who can do this a higher priority and be sure to ask whether the DJ service is chargeable or for included.
Now, if you’re not willing to spend additional money, then you should be ready with your own playlist to keep the ambience.
Ready with the right equipment
You must also think about the music and sound equipment that is required.
The vendor that you need to choose must have the right equipment for any types of wedding venue, especially if you are planning to have a hinterland, garden, vineyard or backyard venue for your wedding.
These type of venues will require louder sound systems, so the wedding entertainer must have the correct equipment or be able to access the right equipment.
These tips and considerations should help you find the right wedding entertainment.
Making A Choice
Once you made your choice, it’s also important to talk to your vendor. Tell exactly the type of wedding entertainment you want to provide your guests. Set your expectations and if possible, put everything into writing.
Lastly, trust your chosen wedding entertainer to do what you have agreed on. This will take away your worries and let you enjoy your special day, which is the most important of all.
Hinterland Wedding at Cedar Creek Estate
If you want to have a garden wedding or winery wedding, then Cedar Creek Estate is your best choice of wedding venue on the Gold Coast.
We offer free use of the sound system, microphone, and lectern with our wedding packages to help with your wedding entertainment.
Call us today on (07) 5545 1666 at Cedar Creek Estate to have a fun and memorable wedding.
