Five Things

You need to know when planning your wedding music.

How do you create the soundtrack to the best day of your life?

There’s no doubt that music sets the mood, stirs the emotions, and gets a dance floor jumping - all key elements of your big day. So it's no surprise that choosing the right soundtrack for your wedding day is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. While some wedding traditions are sticking around, we are seeing others changing, such as more eco-friendly choices, unique wedding parties and more of the details of the day featuring that personal touch.

Ultimately, you can do what you like - in our decades of providing music for weddings, we seen it all! From couples who want to go big on their evening band to couples who chose a special solo musician for their ceremony (a solo saxophonist has become particularly popular!), to couples who weave music into every minute of their day. One couple loved their music so much that didn’t want any recorded music at all, so we played everything live for them.

Whilst there are certain key moments throughout your day you can punctuate with live music, the choice is yours. With so many genres, artists, and moments to consider, we’ve created this guide to help you wave goodbye to the overwhelm and create the perfect soundtrack to your day. Want to create a wedding playlist that reflects your love story as a couple and keeps the party going long into the night? Read on for our top 5 things to consider...

1 . WHAT’S THE VIBE?

Think about the overall feeling you want to create throughout the day and how that ties in with the theme of your wedding For example, romantic and elegant for the ceremony or fun and quirky? Energetic and fun for the reception or are you aiming for something more classic? You might also want to take inspiration from your venue. We’ve played in many hotels, barns and country houses across the South of England, but have also played in some truly unique venues such as vineyards, yurts and castles. Consider the timings of your day - choose music that complements each stage, from the processional to the first dance.

2 . WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

Remember: it's your story, no-one else’s! So don't feel pressured to pick generic wedding songs. Sure, there are classics for a reason, but don’t forget you can incorporate music that holds special meaning for you as a couple. Did you have a particular song when you started dating? Is there a band you both love? This is your chance to tell your story and let your personalities shine through! We once did an arrangement for four electric guitars, bass and drums of 'The 20th Century Fox’ theme whilst everyone was awaiting the bride’s entrance - then she walked down the aisle to four electric guitars playing The Wedding March. Dramatic and unforgettable!

3 . AND YOUR GUESTS?

While it's your special day, it’s a good idea to consider your guests' musical tastes too. Ideally, you want a good mix of genres and tempos to keep everyone engaged, especially if you want to get the dance floor going. Include some crowd-pleasers, but leave room for your favourite tunes too. Why not ask your guests to include a song request with their RSVP? That way everyone has a favourite song to get them up and dancing - and gets to be a part of telling your love story too.

4 . WHAT’S THE PLAN?

Next, consider the running order of your day and how to mirror that with your music choices. If your ceremony is a more formal occasion, you can choose music that's appropriate for the venue and reflects the sanctity of the moment. If your ceremony is less formal, go wild and select songs that really reflect your story of a couple. It’s ok to break with tradition too! The reception is all about letting loose and celebrating, so pick upbeat, dance-worthy tunes to get the party going. Read on for some key moments and ideas to consider:

KEY MOMENTS

Ceremony: You can choose different music to accompany the guests arrival, the bride’s entrance, the signing of the registers and the newlyweds leaving the ceremony. We’ve seen a rise in requests for things like a solo violinist, singer or harpist to accompany the bride down the aisle, which are all a lovely touch.

Drinks Reception: You can create a really beautiful atmosphere in the time after the ceremony while people are mingling, bubbles are being served and photos are being taken - a classical guitarist or pianist tinkling the ivories could be ideal here.

Wedding Breakfast: A solo musician such as a jazz guitarist or even a wedding duo can provide a wonderful backdrop for you and your guests to enjoy your meal.

Evening Reception: A live band is always a great choice for adding excitement and something special to proceedings. Jazz bands can also be a fun choice for your wedding band, to create a truly unforgettable atmosphere.

After Hours: If you’re pro-partiers then this is where the DJ and live saxophone can blow the remaining tiles off the roof! Need to keep it down? Maybe a silent disco is the way to go!

5 . LIVE MUSIC OR DJ?

This is a big decision that can affect both budget and atmosphere. Of course, we are biased, but we believe live music adds a real touch of magic. Whilst a DJ can cater to a wider range of requests and keep the energy high throughout the night, a live band can really lift the atmosphere and even encourage the wall-flowers to bust a move! Consider the size of your venue and the overall feel you want to achieve for yourself and your guests. Here at DL Entertainments, we can cater for either or both.

WHAT’S NEXT?

So that’s it… our guide to planning the music for your wedding! Hopefully this will help you plan the best and most memorable day of your lives. The most important thing of all is to choose music that you and your partner love. With a little planning and these tips in mind, we’ve no doubt you'll create a wedding soundtrack that's as unique and special as your love story.

If you have any questions or want to talk to us about supplying any or all of the music for your wedding day then please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you and learn all about your love story. Head to our website to book an informal chat and let’s get to know each other. You can also get this guide to save for later by clicking the link below. No email address required, no spam, we just want to help.

WHO ARE THE DL ENTERTAINMENTS?

We’re a music entertainment agency with the personal touch. DL Entertainments is run by Damiain and Mat - two friends, professional musicians and instrumental teachers. We met at university and share a lifelong passion for music, performing live and building a community of amazing people. For us there isn’t much in life that beats playing great music in a great live band with great people, for great people! From a solo guitarist for walking down the aisle, to a pianist tinkling the ivories as you eat dinner, all the way through to a live music band or wedding DJ to get the dancefloor jumping, you can rely on us to deliver the tunes that get the party started - and keep it going.

Everyone involved with DL Entertainments is not just great at what they do but are also damn good eggs. You won’t find a nicer, more caring bunch of people - even if we do say so ourselves! From the first time we meet, through to last note of the final song, our mission is to help you create the perfect soundtrack to the best day of your life, with the right live music to match each moment. If you want to create an incredible, unforgettable wedding day, we have all the quality music talent you need in one place.

Book a free no-obligation wedding music consultation so we can get to know each other and talk about your perfect wedding day soundtrack.