Top wedding coordinators know that music is the "good-time factor" of a wedding. People have a good time when they can participate and feel connected to it all.
Photo courtesy of Metro Editorial Services
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If you've figured out by now that music is the key to a great wedding, you're right: it's the secret ingredient of every great wedding.
The right song at the right time can evoke strong feelings and help solidify memories of the day long after the last dance.
Unfortunately, many couples don't focus as much attention on their musical program as they do on picking a reception hall or florist. Too often, they leave crucial music decisions to their disc jockey or band.
This can be a huge mistake, according to wedding music experts Gloria Sklerov and Barbara Rothstein, professional songwriters who set romance to music for films and television and creators of www.weddingmusiccentral.com.
"While flowers, clothes and decor may make a wedding 'look' beautiful, it's well-planned music that makes a wedding 'feel' beautiful" said Sklerov, who has won multiple Emmys for wedding songs featured on daytime TV and has written songs for Frank Sinatra, Cher and other top artists.
Think about weddings you've attended. How did you measure their success? Probably by whether you had a good time or not.
Top wedding coordinators know that music is the "good-time factor" of a wedding. People have a good time when they can participate and feel connected to it all. It's a good sign when guests get up to dance frequently and when they're sharing in the emotions of sentimental moments like father/daughter, mother/son dances, etc.
When the music is dull or constantly intrusive, and there's little involvement and interaction among the guests, chances are they're waiting for the right time to say goodbye.
Sklerov and Rothstein realized that couples have "no way of knowing what they don't know" and really do need expert music planning guidance and information to plan a successful wedding program. So, they authored "How To Set Your Wedding To Music."
Here are some of their tips for a memorable event:
Ceremony and reception
-Create a plan: Visualize your wedding as a film, and think about the songs that would coordinate best with the scenes that unfold.
For example, imagine the processional, the unity candle ceremony, the father/daughter dance, the mother/son dance or even a special tribute to an important person in your life as you listen to sound clips of songs written especially for those moments.
-Stay organized: Keep a notebook and jot down songs you've heard or ideas you've gathered. Then, when you finalize your choices and discuss them in detail with your band or DJ, you can consider their suggestions without feeling pressured.
-Book your DJ or band: Once you know your date, book as soon as possible.
DJs and bands have distinct advantages and disadvantages. DJs usually are less expensive, take up less space and offer playback of original songs by original artists. Bands can provide live sound and make any occasion seem elegant. Generally however, they are costly and your songs will be interpreted by the band, not necessarily performed with the "feel" you like or are used to.
-Go beyond the boring and basic: There's no reason for wedding music to be dull or ineffectual.
"When writing for film and TV," Rothstein said, "we had to master the art of enhancing each scene with the right touch of emotion ... adding to the significance of important moments."
-Keep your guests in mind: Consider the tastes of your guests. Make sure singles and older guests can enjoy the music, as well. Include timeless standards and music of different eras that all guests will enjoy.
— Metro Editorial Services
