pop the question

Be Sure To Consider These Questions When Booking Live Entertainment

A wedding is not complete without music. From the first song you and your partner share a dance to after the marriage is official to the many tunes that keep your guests on their feet, the right soundtrack makes all the difference. While plenty of couples prefer hiring a DJ, there is still a lot to be said for working with live entertainers. Under the right circumstances, a band can add a whole new dimension to your celebrations.

When hiring live entertainment for your big day, you can benefit from reviewing a handful of questions in advance. Look over these tips and learn how you can make the most out of using musicians for your wedding.

Questions To Ask Yourself

Before you start speaking with actual entertainers, you should think about a few points. Specifically, you have to consider the pros and cons of live musicians when compared to a DJ. Most bands will have a specific sound, whereas a DJ can capture whatever feeling you’d like by switching from one track to the next. This means that you should never book a band without first listening to the music. It doesn’t matter how good the reviews are or who recommends the option, listen to as many live examples as you can before moving forward.

If you’re throwing a wedding with a theme, then a band might actually enhance the experience in a few key ways. Musicians who capture an island sound may be the right people to score the events of a beach wedding. Similarly, a string quartet can add a touch of elegance to a wedding styled after a classic soiree. More often than not, however, couples hire bands that can cover a range of songs and keep the energy of the event high. 

Questions for the Band

When looking over your options with live music, there are some key things to consider. First, you want to know how skilled the band members are. People who have been playing together for years will often be able to take on more requests and play a bigger variety than musicians who haven’t been on the scene long. Most entertainers will offer a catalog on their website that details all the songs they are able to play. Review this information thoroughly in order to get a firm understanding of what each band is capable of doing at your reception.  

You also want to know how long the band can play without breaking. A DJ can press a button and let the computer take control of the night while guests eat or members of the wedding party give speeches. A live band will need to stop, rest, drink water, and eat as the night goes on. Bands that have been playing the wedding circuit for a while should be able to offer you specifics when it comes to the flow throughout the night. You may also want to talk about whether the band takes requests from guests.

Questions in the Event of an Emergency 

You also want to cover a handful of points with a band representative centering on emergency situations. If one or several members of the band are unable to play, you want to know about the refund policy and what can be done instead. Some bands will be able to find replacement performers, while others may offer DJ services or other options as a way of compensating you for the loss. You should also discuss expenses that may not be directly mentioned, such as travel costs if you are hiring a band that is not local to the venue.

The more you consider before you hire live entertainment for your wedding, the easier it will be to feel confident in your decision. Come up with a checklist of questions to ask potential live entertainers and find the right band to play your big day.

Canadian Couple Plans Unforgettable Wedding Proposal

57012306Getting engaged is one of life’s most important milestones. Some people prefer to go the more traditional route of popping the question during a romantic dinner or on Valentine’s Day. Others want to do something totally unique and over-the-top for their proposal. Yannick Martin of Blainville, Quebec opted for a unique engagement idea when he asked his girlfriend to marry him in January.

A Silver Screen Proposal

Berenice Lejars was not expecting anything out of the ordinary when she agreed to a movie date with her boyfriend, Yannick Martin, but he had other ideas in store. Martin, with the help of friends, had made an elaborate animated movie trailer in which he asked Berenice to marry him. He located a theatre in St-Eustache that was willing to play it before the feature film. Right before the trailer began, Martin pretended he needed to answer an important call and left the theatre. A surprised and slightly confused Berenice watched the trailer by herself. At the end, the animated character Yannick proposed to the animated Berenice. When the trailer was over, the real Yannick returned to the movie theatre and proposed in person on bended knee, with a lovely ring, before the theatre audience. Berenice said “yes” and the happy couple did not stay for the movie. Click here to watch the trailer and live proposal (YouTube Link).

Other Creative Ways to Propose

While following Yannick’s footsteps may not exactly be your style, there are many other ways to do it:

  • Take It on the Road

Proposing somewhere like an iconic landmark, beach or foreign country can make the occasion all the more memorable. Some places to consider (if you want to spend the money) include the top of the Eiffel Tower, overlooking the Grand Lagoon in Venice, a private capsule in the London Eye carousel or the Taj Mahal.

  • Do a Role Reversal

In heterosexual relationships, it is customary for men to propose to women. In this day and age, it is not necessary to adhere to this tradition. If you go this route, it will make a great story later.

  • Purchase a Unique Ring

One way to help ensure your proposal is extraordinary is to buy a ring like no other. Diamonds have been the de rigueur stones of choice for engagement rings for many years. However, colored gemstones are much rarer. They can also be very costly, so be sure to confirm the return policy in case your beloved has different ideas on engagement rings.

  • Hire Professional Help

If you want to plan an unusual marriage proposal but don’t think you can pull it off yourself, you can always hire professional help. Many wedding planners will plan your proposal as well your wedding.

Advice For Popping the Question

If you are hard at working trying to plan the logistics of the perfect proposal, here are a few tips to keep in mind for when you actually pop the question. This one event will stick in the mind of your future spouse forever. It needs to be good because you can’t do it over.

  •  Know the Answer in Advance

It is not advisable to propose marriage unless you are certain you will get the answer you want to hear.

  •  Think Twice About Doing It in Public

Even if you are certain your will get a “yes” when you pop the question, public proposals can be very awkward unless the participants are comfortable in this type of setting.

  •  The Setting Is Key

You don’t have to spend a fortune or travel to an exotic destination, but it is important that your proposal be romantic. An intimate candlelit picnic may be the perfect choice.

Yannick Martin was certainly innovative when he asked his girlfriend to marry him. It was a very personal proposal and his future wife will never forget it.