Jump on the "Band Wagon"

While you're planning your wedding, you have many decisions to make, from the kind of flowers you want, to the type of frosting on your wedding cake. Choosing the style of music you want at your reception is another thing you will need to decide.

While the entertainment industry has much to offer to wedding receptions, it's similar to wedding dresses-no one size or style fits all. Just as you know what type of dresses you like or dislike because of personal preferences, you also need to sort out what you like and dislike about musical entertainment. If you happen to be someone who loves the thrill of seeing live performances, then hiring a band for your wedding might be the best "fit" for you.

What the Bands Have to Say

Do you remember what it was like to go to your first concert? Everyone was cheering the band on, or dancing in the rows, having a great time. Well, while having a band at your wedding may not be exactly like that, you can be sure that you'll have fun. If you've hired a band that plays music you and your guests like, everyone who likes to boogie will be up on that dance floor. Also, that same energy you felt at your first concert, will be felt at your wedding. "There's nothing like the energy of a live performance," says Mark Eliasof of Elegant Ensembles Inc. "It gives people the inspiration to dance," he continues. Eliasof isn't the only one to say this about band performances at weddings. Many feel that as long as the band can create energy and chemistry, you and your guests will respond positively. Lois Bruno, the owner and one of the performers in the band Synergy, agrees. "It's live music, and you interact with the crowd. If a good band can get flow, interaction, and chemistry, there's nothing better than that," she says.

Many bands stress that seeing a live performance is much like going to a concert-it creates certain feelings in the audience. Jack Goodman of the Jack Goodman Orchestra says that live entertainment has a real effect on people. "Live entertainment sparks fun," he says, though it actually does a little more than just that. "The band has the human element of live singing and performance. It's warm, more exciting, and alive," he adds. Danny Carozza of Carozza Entertainment gives the same sentiments. "ItÕs an alive feeling," he states. "As long as it's a lively band, guests respond amazingly to bands," he says furthermore.

You may be wondering if bands will play the kind of music you and your guests like. There are bands that specialize in different kinds of ethnic music, and many bands will actually play whatever you want. "If you want to hear the 80s, the 70s, or Sinatra, we do all that here with one band," says Goodman. Bruno of Synergy also stresses that the bride and groom should actually sit down and talk with the band to discuss what they want, because then they and their guests will be satisfied and glad that they chose a band. "Seeing people perform is like a whole other ballgame," she declares.

Advice From Some Former Brides and Mothers-of-the-Brides

Lynn Lynn (yes, that's her real name!) of Roselle, NJ, didn't originally want a band for her daughter Krista's wedding, but she's now eternally thankful that they decided to hire a band. The particular band they had made her daughter's wedding so entertaining that more people were dancing than eating wedding cake. "They just had everybody up dancing," she says of the band. "I don't think everybody ate the wedding cake," she declares

Krista Sipes, 27, and her husband, Jesse, 27, of Toms River, NJ, decided to hire a band because they thought a band would create an air of sophistication, and they wanted a certain type of music to be played. "We wanted more rock and roll music, and we had heard the band play and thought they were good," Krista explains. Both Krista and her mother, Lynn, feel that hiring a band was the right decision. "The band that we chose had such a variety of songs, we didn't feel that choosing a band limited us. They played oldies and new music on the radio," she says.

Krista and Lynn were even more pleased because the band was able to keep the guests dancing, despite certain weather conditions. Lynn said that the evening of the wedding was extremely humid, but even that didn't stop anyone from dancing. Krista says, "If we didn't have such a good band, no one would have danced because of the weather." Both women feel that the band really made the wedding truly successful. "They were wonderful," says Lynn. "I can't say enough about them."

The allure of live entertainment is another reason why many couples choose to hire bands at their wedding. Danielle Mirliss, 30, and her husband, Rich, 29, of Summit, NJ hired, the Jack Goodman Orchestra just for this reason. "We decided to choose a band because of the level of energy and interactivity that a band provides," Danielle explains. Not only did the Jack Goodman Orchestra play music that reflected the kind of party that the Mirlisses wanted, according to Myra Salomone, Danielle's mother, the orchestra played music the entire night. "The Jack Goodman Orchestra never took a breakÑthere was continuous music for the whole night. Only individuals took breaks," she says. In essence, the Jack Goodman Orchestra exceeded Danielle and RichÕs expectations, and they are very happy that they decided to hire a band. "We would not change a single thing," states Danielle, and adds, "I wish I could do it again, it was that much fun."

Looking for the Right One

When you decide that a band is what you want for your wedding, the thing you need to do next is determine what type of band you want. Do you think you might want ethnic, disco or a variety of music? Whatever the case may be, in order to find the right band for the kind of wedding party you want, some work is required. Myra Salomone, for example, suggests previewing different bands before you decide to hire one. "Spend the time in fieldwork, and go look at the band," she says. Her daughter Danielle also has some tips from her own wedding experience. "Try to get as many recommendations as you can, not only from other couples but from wedding professionals, like videographers and photographers, who hear bands every weekend," she suggests. Danielle also thinks that it's a good idea to choose a band that has the capability of not only playing the music you like, but that can adapt to the particular atmosphere of the party. In addition, it's a good idea to attend bridal showcases so you can experience seeing bands perform live.

The Perfect "Marriage"

During your search for the perfect musical entertainment for your wedding, you may find that the best "fit" for you is to have both a band and a DJ present at your wedding reception. This would not only make it possible for there to be continuous music at your reception, but different types of music could be played as well. Most bands are open to the idea of working with DJs. "I like the idea of a band working along with a DJ. A band won't do techno, but a DJ can help with that," explains Jack Goodman.

Whatever your decision is in the end, whether it be a band, or a band and a DJ together, make sure that the type of entertainment you choose to have at your wedding is what you want, and that it will complement your party. Just donÕt sell yourself short-you have options. So before you make any musical decisions for your wedding reception, consider jumping on the "band" wagon to see what the ride is like.

*Reprinted from Spring/Summer 2004