Dirk Visser
Article written by Pam Black of Celebration House, Cape Town’s unique wedding information centre. First published on 30 June 2006, on www.iafrica.com.
Shakespeare certainly knew what he was talking about when he wrote about love and music, as we all know that weddings are mainly about love — and what dull, lack-lustre affairs they would be without any music!
I have often noticed that, when discussing any function they have attended, the music is the first thing that guests mention, and it saddens me to see couples sometimes spending a fortune on a venue, flowers, wedding dress, etc. and then stinting on the music.
Good music not only sets the tone, but helps to carry the event — whatever calamity might occur — and it also ensures that your special occasion is one your guests will always remember.
Your guests’ introduction to your celebration takes place when they arrive at the chosen site for the ceremony. Whether the latter is being held outside or indoors in a church, the sound of musicians playing always creates a wonderful air of expectation.
It is also a good way to ensure that your guests are entertained whilst waiting for the arrival of the bride. (Incidentally, I must admit that I’m not quite sure why brides always tend to arrive late – especially after all the months they have spent planning for the event!)
A string quartet or a harpist (or a harpist and a flautist), create a wonderfully romantic ambience, while a professional singer at the ceremony can also add to the occasion and make the event even more memorable. For those who would like to be more dramatic and add a true South African flavour to their wedding, there is the increasingly popular option of arriving to the pulsating rhythms of African drums, or the thrilling sounds of an African choir - or even a marimba band.
By the way, if you plan to sing hymns at your ceremony, always check in advance that the musicians you have chosen are ‘au fait’ with your choice and are able to play the ones you have in mind. One harpist told me that she had been asked to play the beautiful composition by Andrew Lloyd-Webber - `Piu Jesu’- at many weddings, even though it was originally written as a requiem!
The age-old, familiar sounds of Mendelssohn’s ‘Wedding March’ and Wagner’s ‘Here Comes the Bride’ from Lohengrin are, sadly, waning in popularity, as today’s bride prefers to make her entrance to more modern tunes. If you plan to go this route, it is important to practise walking to the chosen number beforehand.
The song you choose needs to have a bit of rhythm and the pace should be
right: if it’s very
slow, your walk down the aisle could end up being a drawn-out affair; if it’s too rushed, you could find yourself galloping down to the altar! If you plan to go the non-traditional route, choose something with a bit of ‘zing’ to be played while you are exiting on the arm of your new husband.
For example, I have heard of couples leaving the church to songs like ‘Walking on Sunshine’ and Natalie Cole’s ‘This will be an Everlasting Love’.
The function
While your photographs are being taken after the ceremony, your guests will be milling around having drinks and waiting for your arrival, so being entertained by musicians during this time will certainly go down well. It also helps to set the tone for the rest of the function.
If you are planning a large, formal event for 100 guests or more, consider hiring a dance band, as the extra cost involved could be money well spent. A band that is experienced in weddings will ensure that your guests are all soon on the dance floor and having fun.
While on the subject of dance music: always ensure that the volume is bearable and that those wanting to sit and talk will not find it impossible to do so without shouting at each other across the table.
Weddings are social occasions and not events from which one should return hoarse! Discuss this aspect with your band leader or disc jockey prior to the event.
Inform them of the age group they will be playing to and the type of music required. Remember, also, to advise them of any tunes you would like them not to play. Songs like ‘YMCA’, ‘The Chicken Song’ and ‘Rock around the Clock’ are perennial favourites at weddings, so if these are not on your top 20 list, it is best to inform your DJ or band in advance.
When,
prior to your wedding, you discuss your choice of music with the musicians, it is also a good idea to talk about the timing of the first dance, cake-cutting, throwing of the bouquet and garter, and so on.
Should you have a special request for your first dance together as a married couple, or for what you would like played when you make your entrance at the reception, check with the band or disc jockey whether they know the piece of music concerned at the time of hiring them.
It is far better to ask ahead of time and enable them to prepare, than to surprise them on the day and run the risk of being disappointed. If you’re looking for ideas for a first dance, please visit our website, www.celebrationhouse.co.za , where you will find a list of favourites.
Some band leaders and DJs will, if necessary, act as Master of Ceremonies. Check with yours whether this is the case and if you may use their microphone for the speeches, or whether you need to provide a second set. It is also advisable to enquire if they are familiar with your chosen venue and what their requirements are regarding electrical points, size of table for equipment etc.
If you are booking a band, ask them how long their breaks will be and if they are prepared to play recorded music during these, to keep the momentum going. In case your reception runs late, it is useful to know in advance what your musicians’ overtime rate (usually after midnight) will be, and also if they will be prepared to play later if necessary.
Another point to bear in mind when you are doing your final guest head-count for catering purposes, is not to forget to include the musicians in this number – they need to eat too!
