Reception Music

What to expect...

Preparation

I like to set up all the equipment prior to the guests arriving.

Depending on the timing, I may have some mood music playing for when the guests arrive. Normally this mood music would be on a CD and would continue playing quietly until the Bride and Groom arrive.

If you have a Master of Ceremonies, he/she should be available to have a chat at this time prior to arrival of the wedding party.

Entrance Of Wedding Party

The Chairman or Master of Ceremonies will liaise with the band to work out the entrance procedure. A special song may be played as required, and the MC may introduce the party.

Dinner Music

Dinner music can take up to 70% of the total time of your wedding reception.

Dinner music can start directly after the introduction and housekeeping duties of the Master of Ceremonies, or directly after grace.

I have many songs that fit into this time of the night. Volume is the most critical factor. Must be audible but not so that people can't talk. A wedding has a diverse mix of ages, cultures, hearing aids, babies and party animals.

Cutting the Cake

Many couples do a mock cutting of the cake immediately on arrival, to save costs with the photographer. When the time comes to do the real thing for your guests, you may want to choose a song to be played.

Bridal Waltz

The Bridal Waltz usually signals the start of dancing for the night. It is sometimes considered rude to dance before the wedded couple. Although it is traditionally called the bridal waltz, very few couples actually waltz.

Your choice of song here may have links to the song you had at the ceremony or perhaps just another song that is appropriate.

I have many songs that are suitable to sing for you, but flexibility is important. If Celine Dion or is your thing (good luck getting me to sing like that!), perhaps playing her CD may be more appropriate to set the mood for this wonderful photo opportunity.

Many couples start the bridal waltz with their favourite song, then maybe have a couple of others in mind for straight after. The bridal waltz usually goes straight into the main dancing part of the night.

Dancing Music

This part of the night goes so quickly, and sometimes is the part most people remember.

This part of the night would probably show off your own taste in music, be it a theme of; Country, 70s, 80s, Hard Rock, Classics. It is usually best to have a good mix though to try to include all your guests in the festivities. Songs like Mustang Sally, Celebration, Nutbush, Oh What a Night (Dec '63), Brown Eyed Girl.. are all songs that everybody knows and are likely to join in the dancing.

Although many dance songs could be played here, you are usually limited by time. The end of the night is set in stone, time wise, and all the other stuff must happen. It is sometimes a pity that the dancing time is the first to be cut when things run late. A good Master of Ceremonies will help ensure that this does not happen.


Throwing stuff

Garters and bouquets to be precise. All part of your package, appropriate music and commentary provided. Timing usually in the middle of the dancing part of the reception.

Goodbye

If you are planning to have all your guests in a circle to say goodbye before you leave, you will need to think of the time factor.

It will take about ten to fifteen minutes out of your Dancing time to say goodbye to 100 guests. Appropriate music can be provided for this, of course.

Your actual departure may also incorporate walking thru the tunnel created by your guests.