Choosing Music for your Wedding Reception - Booking Payback - Booking a DJ - Booking a Jazz band - Booking a string quartet - Booking a function band

I have seen a lot of articles and books on choosing music for the wedding service itself, but very little on the music for the post-wedding celebration: this article is to redress the balance.

The following sections summarise the main options you have, and then I've provided a few "case studies": descriptions of weddings where I have been part of the musical entertainment.

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Hiring Payback!

Payback fit somewhere between a function band and a DJ. We provide over 2 hours of party music segued and joined in the style of a DJ, but with the entertainment value of a 9 piece band. I won't go into more detail here of why you should hire us above anyone else - that's for the rest of this website!

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Hiring a DJ

For the majority of weddings, a DJ is often seen as the best option because they are probably the cheapest option. However, cheap doesn't always mean value for money! As with all things, you get what you pay for. Some venues will provide a DJ as part of the hire package, leaving you very little choice; otherwise you will have to find the right DJ for your reception. Go with recommendations from friends, or make note of the number of a DJ at any other wedding receptions you may go to (if you like what you see).

If you have a broad cross section of ages, a DJ can be a good option - switching from Aqua to Abba to Elvis in as many records. Some DJs keep a good stock of recent chart hits, while others tend to concentrate on a broad spread of tracks from the 50s through to today. If you have a predominantly 20-something crowd, make sure you get a DJ with a suitable selection of recent hits - you don't want to end up dancing at the end of the evening to "The Birdy Song" as the DJ thinks "it always goes down well with the punters". Oh no. I've seen it happen!

Check with whoever you book well before the reception, to ensure that any special requests can be dealt with. If you want to make sure, bring a copy of the "first dance" on CD or vinyl, just to make sure: I have played at a wedding where the DJ could not find the CD that contained the first dance! Very embarrassing for him I'm sure; galling for us as we did most of the evening and he must have got paid a fortune for what must have been less than an hours work! But I'll come back to that one later...

Hire a DJ through the number-9 agency

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Hiring a jazz band

The jazz quartet I play in specialise in the bigger budget weddings, where we generally play during the first part of the wedding reception, while everyone arrives from the wedding venue and gets their glass(es) of champagne; the "champagne breakfast" I believe it is called. This works really well for creating a classy atmosphere, and is not at all intrusive, and for a surprisingly low amount of money, compared to other costs at weddings, you can get really fantastic jazz players who feed off the atmosphere and really give something back.

Jazz bands can also play quietly in the corner during meals as background music; as can a so-called cocktail pianist if your budget won't extend to a whole band. Some venues such as hotels, have pianos in their function rooms, otherwise most pianists are able to bring their own electronic pianos if required.

If you get the right jazz band, they can play dance music that appeals to all ages and covers the function of a DJ. I have played weddings where everyone from the smallest tots to all the grannies and grandads have been on their feet in the latter part of the reception (the best bit!) dancing to the jazz. For this, you'll need a band who play up-tempo swing and/or Latin numbers.

Most jazz bands can be hired for a similar fee to a decent DJ, so if you don't want loud music but you want to dance, why not try a jazz band?

Hire a jazz band or cocktail pianist through the number-9 agency

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DIY music

Do you want to choose your own records to play but don't want hire a DJ or have to change all the CDs yourself? Use an mp3 player. Rip all the CDs yourself or be naughty and download them from the web, then transfer them to a suitable mp3 player such as an Apple iPod. Then you can either hire a PA system to play them through, or use the PA in the reception venue if there is one.

Buy an Apple iPod mp3 player from amazon.co.uk

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Hiring a string quartet or other classical ensemble

Classical ensembles, such as string quartets perform much the same function as jazz bands, except they will rarely be the thing to get your 16 year old cousin dancing at the end of the evening! But if you want quality, sedate background music, a classical ensemble is hard to beat. Try something different - like a recorder quartet! I knew some music students who had a very successful niche playing renaissance music on recorders at weddings and functions; very memorable and creating a perfect background for wining and dining.

Most people wouldn't know where to start looking for a classical ensemble - my tip is to ask at the local music colleges (such as the Royal Academy of Music in London, the Royal Northern in Manchester) or in the music department of your local university. When I was at university, the music department notice board regularly had requests for ensembles to play at functions - just send a card in and ask the department secretary to post it on the board. Student ensembles are likely to be considerably cheaper than those booked through an agency, without in any way compromising the quality.

Hire a classical ensemble through the number-9 agency

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Hiring a "function band"

When I say "function band", despite having bought the domain function-band.com (you're here aren't you?!! excellent.. jobs a good'un!), I mean those bands which the closing credits of the BBC's "Smith and Jones" bring to mind... shiny sequined jackets and cheesy songs... "Goodnight Blackpool!" ......

Joking apart, a good function band performs the function of a good DJ, but engages the audience in a way a man behind a turntable and flashing lights can't do. Some bands specialise in certain styles (like Payback specialise as a funk and disco party band), whereas others play many different styles all in one set. What you need to look for is a band who will play a consistent style, gradually changing the mood throughout the night, starting more mellow and bringing up the tempo with some dancey numbers towards the end.

I've seen some horrificly cheesy function bands in my time, but I've also seen some genuinely entertaining bands (for all the right reasons!). Don't rely purely on the demo tape or CD which the band supply - this is bound to be a highly polished studio representation (unless it is a live recording which is very unusual). See if you can check out the band live before you book them. Payback always like to get potential clients to come and see us, as we know after hearing (and being impressed by!) our CD, seeing us perform live will clinch the booking.

Hire a function band through the number-9 agency

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©Copyright 2002 Andrew Lipscombe at www.function-band.com. All rights reserved. This article is not to be reproduced or used without written permission from the author.