Chicago Wedding & Party Resource 2017 Spring / Summer

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M U S I C , D J ’ S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T
C H I C A G O W E D D I N G & P A R T Y R E S O U R C E
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POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE
If you’re planning a formal affair and relish
tradition, you’ll have little trouble coming
up with options for your big day: Many
brides before you have walked down a
similar aisle and you can simply follow
their lead.
If you want to marry to a different tune,
however, be sure to talk to your officiant
well in advance of the big day about what
music can be played for your ceremony.
The Catholic church, for example, won’t
allow Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” (“Here
Comes The Bride” to you and me) because
it’s a secular work. If you’re getting married
in a house of worship, your officiant
should be able to provide you with a list of
approved music.
There’s a lot more to planning the music for
your wedding than what tune will accompany
you as you walk down the aisle and what will
be playing during the first dance.
For the ceremony, consider music for:
• The Prelude: the arrival of guests as they
are ushered to their seats
• The Processional: the entrance of your
bridal party
• The Bridal March: the moment you’ve
been dreaming of for most of your life
• The Interlude: moments of religious
significance, or merely a musical, well,
interlude
• The Recessional: the walk up the aisle
with your new spouse
• The Postlude: the departure of your
guests
FOR THE RECEPTION,
CONSIDER MUSIC FOR:
• Cocktail hour, if you’re having one
• The entrance of the bridal party
• Dinner music
• Your first dance
• All successive notable dances: father/
daughter, mother/son, bridal party
• Special events: cake cutting, bouquet
toss, garter toss
BELIEVE IN THE BANDLEADER
Or DJ, if that’s the case. This person
actually plays a large role in your
wedding day. He or she is the emcee that
orchestrates everything. They must be able
to speak well, follow a detailed timeline
and be able to shave off or add on dancing
time if the kitchen is ahead or behind. And
the bandleader needs to be someone who
listens to what the bride and groom want
and not tell them what he thinks they want.
A must, period. A list of songs you want
to be sure are played during the reception
– and a list of songs you want to be sure
aren’t played during the reception. If you
and your spouse-to-be agree that KC and
The Sunshine Band’s “Celebration” must
not be heard at any time on your wedding
day, make sure whomever you’ve hired for
music knows it.
Dancing the Night
The musicians you select will play a major role
in your wedding day. You and your intended need
to agree on the musical tone of your wedding.