It never ceases to amaze me when brides call two weeks prior to their wedding looking for someone to perform their ceremony music. It just tends to be a side note in the wedding plans. We just tend to be more interested in the party. But don’t despair! There are many options available…even in a pinch!
If the wedding ceremony is at the same location as your reception hall, you might first ask your DJ if he can provide the music. This is your most economical choice, as many wedding Djs charge a nominal fee to make a quick equipment move. Keep in mind that the music he plays is from CD or laptop, so he can pretty much play anything under the sun that you might enjoy. Your DJ can also provide a hand-held cordless mic for your officiant to use. Note: Just make sure you provide him with a small skirted table so he can have a professional looking set-up. Of course he needs a power source as well.
If you are having a traditional church ceremony, you can oftentimes use the suggestion of your church officiant or coordinator. String quartets, guitarists, bag pipes, etc. can add an elegant touch that will be remembered by guests for years to come.
It should be relatively inexpensive to hire a pianist to show, especially if there is already a piano available for your use. Ask your location if there is a rental fee to use it, and how often it’s tuned. If there is no piano, a keyboardist can bring his own.
If you have time, and you want to personalize your ceremony even further, ask your musicians about the cost of learning particular songs that they might not have in their repertoire. Just realize that not every song can be played adequately on every type of instrument. (Should be obvious…but we all forget things when we get excited, right?!)
One final note: Always be sure to ask about weather conditions and how they might affect your ceremony. You’ll be surprised to see how various types of weather can affect instruments in a negative way. Check your contract! You will typically see weather restrictions right in there. Be prepared with a back up plan. Also, it is best to hire your vendors far before your wedding day to ensure their availability during the early afternoon. Wedding Djs may have morning plans that interfere with your ceremony if you wait until the last minute.
Check out our post about Instrumental Versions of Rock Songs.
