Questions

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.

Wedding Engagement Announcement Etiquette

Taking the first steps towards an engagement.

Every engagement started somewhere. For some, it was dating a friend; for others, dating websites played a crucial role.

According to some experts, about 40 percent of wedding engagements occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. It doesn’t matter when you get engaged, you’ll want to spread the news far and wide. It might sound like a childish notion to have a plan for sharing your engagement news, but you’ll want to make sure that your mom hears your announcement from you, not Aunt Sally. Here are some etiquette tips you might want to consider.

Who Do I Tell First?

Before posting on social media, you want to make sure your family and close friends know. If you have kids, you should talk to them first and give them some time to process their emotions before making the big announcement. Social media and/or newspaper announcements should follow your own verbal notices.

Can I Post Pictures of the Ring on Social Media?

Modern etiquette experts all recommend not sharing a picture of just your ring on social media, although it is very common to see close-up pictures of rings on Instagram or Facebook. The best way is to take a picture of your left hand that includes you and your fiancé. It’s more gracious and focuses on your announcement instead of focusing on the consumerism of how big the ring is.

Dealing With Uncomfortable Questions About the Ring

If you get asked about the price or size of your ring, you may be uncomfortable discussing that particular information. You don’t have to tell someone how much the ring cost or how many carats the diamond is. It is good to have a general response to any questions to be able to deflect the discomfort you feel. “Brad spent more than he should have, but we’ll have this treasure forever.” “It’s not the size that matters to me.” Humor is a good tool to have in your arsenal. Quickly change the subject to some other aspect of the wedding.

Who Should Be Invited to the Engagement Party?

You might want to invite all your friends and family to your engagement party, but wedding etiquette dictates that everyone who is invited to pre-wedding events should be invited to the actual wedding. This is one reason to keep the engagement party small. Although anyone can throw the celebration, traditionally the parents of the bride host the party. The best man and maid of honor should not be the ones hosting this party, because they are responsible for other parties closer to the wedding.

Do Brides Have to Wear White to the Engagement Party?

It is traditional for brides to wear white to the party, but that shouldn’t limit your wardrobe. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and enjoy the party and your friends. White puts you in the spotlight, and it will be a nice reminder that those pictures are from the engagement party.

Etiquette for Those Who Have Been Informed About the Engagement

If you’ve been chosen to get the information before it’s been posted on social media, hold off on posting anything on social media about the wedding until after the couple makes an announcement. It’s tempting to want to break the news, but it’s just good etiquette to wait. Don’t ask about the size or cost of the ring. If the bride and groom want to tell you, they will.

You also shouldn’t approach the couple to ask whether you’ll be in the bridal party. It puts the bride and groom in the awkward position of having to say no if they’re planning a small wedding and not including you. Just wait to let the bride ask you. You aren’t obligated to get engagement gifts for the couple, but gifts are customary. Choose affordable gifts that fit within your budget and communicate your happiness.