Music for your private party, major event, or marriage
Arranging a wedding ceremony or private party and undecided what to do about the music? Here are a few suggestions to get you pointed in the right path.
First, is there a theme to your party? You know – upmarket, classic, bohemian, formal, preppy, Hawaiian shirts, for example. ? Contingent on what your theme is (if you have one), what kind of music you plan for can go a long way to setting just the right tone for your special event. You should not as an example, need to play the newest rap songs from Snoop Dogg at your upmarket, black-tie event. I guess you would if Snoop Dogg was there, but we’re betting Snoop is probably not on your guest list.
And what about your funds? Organizing a party on a tight budget is tough and even if I think live music is always superior than a DJ let’s accept it, one DJ with a turntable or digital rig is much more affordable (generally) than a band. To me, a band actually makes a party but that’s a budget consideration for sure.
What time of day is your event? Classical music might work well at an earlier event while jazz could be a good choice for an evening party.
What are your preferred musical tastes? Truly, this one should dictate what type of music you need played at your party. You are paying for it, right? Sure, you need to consider dear old Aunt Lillian who hates anything after 1960 but come on, this is your party, not hers, so go with music that you like. If you are responsible for coordinating the party, then ask the bride-to-be and groom or take an analysis of folk who might be attending your event what they'd like to hear. Be prepared for answers like “Iron Maiden”.
Where is the party being held? Some places have pretty harsh rules about music like how loud it can be, what kinds of music are permitted, if there is space for a band, etc. You should check with your locale before booking any music to make sure you are aligned with their regulations.
And the size of your event? Music for actually big parties could require sound amplification and typically bands or DJ’s are fitted to handle this but you might need to consider carefully about contracting a 10-piece rock orchestra to play a 20 person party in a tiny, intimate venue.
Live music vs. DJ. As a musician who plays an instrument, I side on the live band scenario but again, budget, locale, sort of event and personal musical tastes may point you towards a DJ. Most DJ’s can play a wide selection of styles and although some cover bands do the same, most live bands stay inside a couple of categorical genres like jazz, rock or classical. Go for the live band, I say. It's always possible to hear the radio in your car.
Picking music for your personal party, marriage or significant event doesn’t have to be advanced science. Think about where you are having the party, what number of people are attending, what sort of mood you'd like to set, and your financial position. This will truly help to define what you can do with the music.
Elias Haslanger plays jazz, teaches saxophone lessons, and hires Austin wedding bands for your special occasion.
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