Daytime Entertainment: Your Pre-Emptive Strike

In a Family Fortunes style survey our top ‘wedding entertainment’ answers would likely be (1) disco; (2) wedding band; (3) harpist/string quartet.  All good, fairly typical, answers.  However, depending on skill and repertoire, not all are adaptable to all parts of the day.

There are no end of alternative ideas available that can personalise your wedding day and set it apart from all the others.  Additionally, in line with my ethos of ‘the right entertainment at the right time’, there are a number of services that can be used as mechanisms to engage or stimulate wedding or function guests (ooh misses!) from early within the day.  (Without exhausting them in a sensory overload!)

Entertainment @ Ceremonies

This is the more dignified/formal part of the day - you should always consider what is suitable for your venue first. 

If you are having a traditional or religious ceremony, consult with your minister/venue what is acceptable.  Traditional weddings might call for traditional non-amplified entertainment to support them – classical singers, harpist or other ‘ambient’ musicians. 

There are many excellent ones out there with melodies chosen for specific moments in the ceremony – while guests wait, bride's entry (processional), register signing and exit (egressional.) 

"She better turn up...there's no WAY I'm listening
to Vivaldi's "Spring" another time!"

Civil ceremonies can incorporate such traditional elements too, however they are more open to personalisation/non-traditional approaches. Your limitation is only on use of music/readings with religious themes – your registrar will advise you on this.
 

If you are having a civil service at the same venue as your wedding breakfast, how will music and events flow from one loction to another? 
 

What preparations are in place in the eventuality a bride just so happens to run "fashionably" late? 
Should the presentation of the music support this special moment or take attention away from you?

 



Walking down the aisle is a keystone and highly
emotive part of the wedding day.

Consider whether an expert in ceremony music/presentation can assure music sounds rich and full and is set at appropriate volume and then faded into silence as the words begin.  (Rather than sound thin and just stop suddenly, cutting the music dead the moment you reach your bethrothed?


More brides are now having live music continue through the signing of the register, and this is provides a focal point while the legalities are completed.  It also utterly personalises this special moment forever.

Entertainment @ “The Interims”

During your day there are several periods of  “downtime” for guests - waiting for you to sign the register, waiting around to be called for photographs, waiting until (and during!) reception drinks, for the wedding breakfast, between courses and so on.  This is particularly true in civil ceremonies when there is likely less distraction in travelling between church and reception venue – ie hence more time to fill.

Interim time between ceremony & wedding breakfast
is the perfect time to catch up with your families while
expertly chosen background music provides ambience.

There are other solutions, but since I am (mainly) a music-man (great, now I’ve got that Black Lace song in my head) I’ll comment on music-related solutions. 

 

Ambient/acoustic musicians can create a smooth atmosphere and can to some extent move between locations between performance “sets”, so this is a solution to consider.  However, be aware that many musicians are purely that – they will likely not make announcements or act as Master of Ceremonies (MC), which is something I plan with my clients when providing daytime entertainment and services. 

The Best Man reported the 'background music
had at least cleared Granny's ear wax.
*NB - NOT my background PA system

Unless you have hired the additional service of a formal toastmaster or a stand-alone PA (sound) system, ushers and groomsmen can sometimes struggle to get the attention of groups of people to get them to be where you want them to be.  This is particularly true when photographers are seeking combinations of invitees for group shots, delaying this part of the formalities and causing further late-running in your day.

So I feel compelled to do a shameless plug.  Our daytime service can include a discreet and ‘portable’ secondary sound system, so multi-room entertainment is easily achievable.  I make an effort to liaise with other providers and venues in order to help play a part in the “wider picture” – helping the whole day flow.

Likewise, I consult with couples to provide the right entertainment at the right time from my repertoire.  This is perfect for increasingly popular vintage themes and also caters to the growing trend for Canapé & Cocktail Hours, all where music should be prominent but not intrusive. 

Entertainment @ The Meal

Entertainment during the wedding breakfast can either performed in increments between courses, or as live sets continuing during the food.  This also adds the advantage of (some artists) including further informal MC work and your use of microphones for speeches so all your guests can hear you new father-in-laws’ wit(tering).
 




Gary wasn't enjoying The Greatest Hits of
Clinking Plates feat. MC Scraping Cutlery

Again music needs to be carefully constructed, and not be too intrusive as guests may still want to chat.  On the other hand, some couples want to create a huge sing-a-long with napkins in the air following desert, as is their prerogative. An entertainer versatile enough to play it cool or hot is a boon here.  Ask them how they would handle this.

Essentially, unless you have the budget for different providers and artists for different locations/parts of the day, then a complete self-contained entertainment solution might well be the perfect answer. 

A personal observation you may wish to consider: some artists claim to offer a complete solution, but on examination cannot provide the adaptability to create ideal solutions.  They will play and perform throughout your day, but are sometimes limited to one room in your venue.  Not much help if you want a cocktail hour on the terrace and party singer in the ballroom.

Likewise, venue staff may need time to refresh/turn around spaces between ceremony, day and evening, and your guests will be moved on to another room, bar or waiting area. 

AND SO THEN.....Entertainment @ The Evening Party

This goes without saying, and where the majority of events singers (including myself) often perform the mainstay of their show.  Often, if your entertainment has laid a "groundwork" during the earlier formalities, building up to a fantastic party for the evening is smoother - helping assure you & your guests have a brillaint night that will be fondly talked about for years to come!

.
I do so hope these nuggets of information for anyone planning their unforgettable, perfect day. 

(Great – and now I’ve got that Lou Reed song in my head: but at least it got rid of the Black Lace one.)

Take care….and have fun.

Jon Paul

Wedding Singer, Master of Ceremonies & DJ

 

 

 

Jon Paul is based in South Wales but available throughout the UK, including Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Hertford, Hereford and Hampshire ;-) pplsu London, Devon & Cornwall, East Midlands, West Midlands and beyond.  Jon many years of experience entertaining at celebrations & corporate evens, but specialising in the wedding industry .  He brings a wide set of specific skills to assure a fantastic weding day and night. 
Visit and Like Jon's facebook page for pictures and offers or brose his website for more information.