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5 Top Tips for Unique Wedding Entertainment

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Organising the perfect wedding can seem daunting. It’s all about striking a balance between unique, memorable and above all, enjoyable. A wedding is a celebration, so you, your new spouse and all your guests should have fun on the big day. Here are 5 tips for unique wedding entertainment:

  1. Lawn games: If you’re getting married in the summer time or you’re sure you’ll have good weather, then organising some outside games is a great way to keep guests entertained between the ceremony and the wedding breakfast. Lawn games are good clean fun for guests of all ages and a really inexpensive option that will provide a few hours of fun. Giant jenga, giant chess, lawn bowls, croquet sets and several other games can be easily hired or purchased online but check first with your venue, they may have something already.

Unique wedding game ideas

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outdoor wedding entertainment ideas

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  1. Cocktail style bar tenders: Entertain your guests with bottle spinning, cocktail shaking bar staff. Many mobile bar hire companies will offer full wedding packages to include the bar set up and all manner of drinks. Create a signature drink in advance and serve it to your guests either during a cocktail hour or just as they enter the dining room, then poen the bar for made-to-order cocktails just before the dancing starts.

wedding cocktail ideas

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wedding drink ideas

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  1. Guest shot wedding images: Make your wedding favours an inexpensive disposable camera and ask guests, bridesmaids and groomsman to take photos of part of the wedding that your photographer might not capture. For fun, put an ‘I Spy’ list together to be put on the dining tables. Your family and friends will be lining up to get on camera and the pictures will be a wonderful addition to your wedding memories.

camera wedding favour

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camera wedding favor

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  1. Music: Every wedding needs music but how do you go about choosing your band or DJ? A band that gets your guests up and dancing is a must, but why not consider a genre of music that ties in with the style of your wedding. If the theme is vintage, why not hire a jazz band and encourage some 1920s swing dancing? You could even arrange dance lessons for your bridal party in advance. If you are looking for something out of the norm, quirky and definitely fun, why not hire a ceili band for some grand Irish merry making. In ceili, the steps are called out so anyone can join in no matter what their level of experience.

wedding music ideas

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themed wedding music

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  1. Fireworks: Fireworks are a classic celebratory feature that never fail to impress and make for a great send off at the end of the night. Alternatively, you may want to have fireworks earlier on as some guests do tend to leave early, so why not follow the cutting of the cake with a firework display. There are many types of fireworks to choose from including ones that burst into a heart outline, floral explosion or ‘lancework’ varieties that you fix to a wall or tree to make your firework display truly unique. It is advisable however, to always purchase your fireworks from a licensed provided and hire someone trained and certified to handle the display.

wedding fireworks

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wedding fireworks

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wedding fireworks display

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Author Bio:

Sergio Bonaducci, freelancer writer

Singing Waiters: Wedding Entertainment With A Difference!

singing waiters 1

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There are many ways of wowing your guests with your wedding entertainment but none quite so unusual as hiring singing waiters. In the style of British film ‘Love Actually’, singing waiters can surprise your guests at your wedding reception and yes, they really do provide proper waiting services at the same time!

Time It Right:

Singing Waiters can perform before or after the main course, or even at different periods of the wedding depending on the program as well as your preferences. Starting spontaneously or on a cue, you can really have some fun with this and your guests will never know what is coming next!

wedding entertainment ideas

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Name That Tune:

Performing numerous musical styles to suit any occasion, you can be sure that Singing Waiters will make a great addition to any style of wedding or wedding theme.

The Surprise Element:

Your guests will definitely not expect your waiters to burst into song, but no one more than your groom or your bride (yes ladies, gentlemen do wedding planning too!). Surprise your loved one with a special song; it is guaranteed that they will not have seen this coming!

unusual wedding entertainment ideas

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Be Unique:

I am sure that not many people you know will have had singing waiters at their wedding and entertainment such as this will surely go a long way in making your wedding unique. You never know…you may also end up setting a trend!

Entertainment value:

Add a little twist to your main course by having the singing waiters entertain your guests with an all-out public performance or have them serenade them table by table. Your guests can even get involved by joining in and requesting songs.

Unique wedding entertainment

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Cost:

It is a two in one service so it goes without saying that you definitely get your money’s worth. Combing your entertainment with your waiting service can also be a great way to save some money rather than paying for separate services. Singing waiters do come at varying costs so it really depends on what works for you, your guests and your budget. Be sure to listen to what they have to offer and ask about their repertoire before you book.

Author Bio: Katie Day is a freelance writer and blogger who specializes in wedding entertainment and events.

The Best Wedding Songs For Your Big Day

Black and white wedding first dance

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Music is the spice of life. It is something that none of us can do without. At most western culture wedding receptions, you will find beautiful soulful music that conveys the emotions of the bride, groom and the entire family. Making sure you have the best wedding songs for your special day also sets the tone at a wedding and hence should be used most appropriately to set the right mood. Whether your reception includes a formal sit down dinner, an informal buffet with light refreshments, or a backyard barbecue  music can add life to your wedding reception.

 

Some Music Suggestions

Interlude

The guests typically arrive at the reception before the wedding party and the bride and groom. Often the bride and groom have their pictures taken while the guests make their way to the reception. Gentle, soft background music usually accompanies this period of time, while cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are typically served, called the Interlude. This music will be the first that your guests hear and will go a long way in setting the tone and mood of the wedding. We recommend that you have your DJ or band choose the Interlude music as per the theme of your wedding. If you are planning to have an “iPod Wedding”, we suggest classical music, harp music, New Age music, or any other music without words or lyrics.

 

Grand Entrance

The Grand Entrance is when the Bride and Groom arrive at the reception with much fanfare. Often the wedding party is announced first, as they enter the room. The Bride and Groom come in last and are introduced as the newly married couple. This is a special moment as your guests are in a festive mood, after the wedding ceremony, and wish to celebrate YOU, as a couple. You could have your DJ or band select special music for the Grand Entrance, or you could choose a dramatic or a celebratory song.

 

Dinner Music                 

During dinner, soft background music is once again played, suitable to your wedding style. It is important to choose the best wedding songs as there is a lot of socializing during this period and generally people want to share the excitement and talk. At this time, it is important to make sure that the conversation is not drowned out by the music. We recommend that you have your DJ or band choose the dinner music. If you are having an “iPod Wedding”, we suggest you go for the same type of music as the one playing during the Interlude.

 

First Dance       

The dancing doesn’t begin until the First Dance of the Bride and Groom. This is a very special moment when you take the floor for the first time as a married couple. The choice of song is important for this dance. It should convey the meaning of your relationship and love for each other. It should also be appropriate for the type of dance you want to do.

 

Father Daughter Dance         

The next dance is typically the Father Daughter dance. This is where the bride’s father takes the floor with his daughter. You may have a special song that the two of you love or a song that characterizes your relationship. Your father may have a special song in mind, so make sure to ask him before starting your search.

 

Mother Son Dance

The Mother Son dance is another very special dance where the mother of the groom dances with her son. Sometimes the Father Daughter and Mother Son dances are combined, in which case you will not need to select a separate song for this dance. However, if you do have a separate Mother-Son dance lined up, then you will have to be very thoughtful while selecting a song for this special dance. The mother may also have a special song picked out that she’s been thinking about for a long time, so make sure to ask her! These songs are not supposed to be as romantic as the First Dance song.

 

To make sure the songs you have chosen are meaningful to you, be certain to read the lyrics of the song and consider whether the lyrics express your relationship, your mood and your emotions most appropriately. Ideally, the song lyrics will express the love you and your partner feel toward each other or will otherwise express an important aspect of your relationship. Ensuring you have the best wedding songs for your wedding day can really add that extra magic and sparkle that makes everlasting memories. Why not even make a CD of all the music from your wedding that you can listen to any time and remember your special day. It might represent the exact moment when you just knew that “this is the one.” The song might be a musical snapshot of the time, place, or circumstances of when or how you knew you had fallen deeply in love and wanted to spend the rest of your lives together. It could also reflect the expectations you have regarding your future together or how you see your married life unfold with each other.

 

Written by guest author Jessica Josh for Wedding Bands Melbourne, who are specialists in Wedding and Event Entertainment

5 Top Tips When Choosing Live Wedding Bands

Wedding Musicians

When organising a wedding, you quickly realise how many things you need to sort out. Everything needs careful planning, from the wedding venue and catering, to the photography and the wedding dress. Music often makes the day extra special and one of the more memorable aspects for you and your guests.

The following tips point out some of the things you should consider when choosing a live wedding band.

Their credentials
Although you should value the opinions of friends and family, sometimes just relying on this can backfire when choosing a live band. You research should go further by checking a band’s website, their testimonials and references. In most cases, live video often indicates how they will look and sound on the day. Better still, go to one of their live gigs! However, do not totally rely on audio clips on their website as these can be edited in a studio or on a computer.

 

Book early and sign a contract
Make sure you book the band in plenty of time, at least 6 months in advance, and sign a contract with them. You should pay a deposit in most cases, usually around 25% and you will find most bands have a cancellation fee policy so check this carefully. You should also verify that they have public liability insurance. Most policies cover up to £1 million or even more.

 

Size of the venue and space to fit the band
You will undoubtedly go to the venue on a few occasions to check up on things, but make sure on one of your visits you decide where you would like the band to set up. Ideally, they should perform in front of a large open space as your guests will want to dance to the music in the evening. Also, check if there are enough power sockets for them to use. Two or three should be fine for a 4-10 piece band as they should have their own extension cables and 4-way connectors.

 

What type of music do you want?
You should think about what the guests like as well as yourself. Can the band play different styles of music from different eras? Some of the older guests may want to hear some classics from the 60s, such as music by The Beatles and Elvis Presley, where as the youngsters will want to hear some more modern tunes.  However, as long as the band can play a mixture of songs, it normally goes down well with all the guests.

 

How long should the band play for? 
Make sure you think about this carefully. The band you choose should possess an extensive repertoire of songs, but you need to plan when you would like them to start and finish. Normally 3 x 45 minute sets is a good length as they can then provide music for at least 3 hours with breaks. You should also check if they supply music during their breaks, playing music through an iPod or another music device.

Author Bio: Martyn Croston offers a variety of wedding music ideas for your special day. He plays as a solo wedding pianist, in a violin/piano duo and with a professional wedding band.

How To Make The Right Wedding Music Choices

Wedding Music Sheet

Planning a wedding can very quickly become an overwhelming affair, and one of the most important pieces of your big day will come down to the music and the people that are playing it. After all, the music is something that is almost always present at all phases of the wedding, and will be a featured part of your reception party. It’s critically important to make sure that you plan far enough ahead to make certain that your otherwise perfect day is hampered by a poorly chosen band.

Decisions, Decisions

The first thing you’re going to want to decide on is how much your wedding band is going to be responsible for. Are you going to need them throughout the duration of the wedding, right from playing the music as people are getting seated and the bride walks down the isle, or are they just going to be a main focal point during the reception. Defining the areas and music that your wedding band is going to need to be responsible for will let you know just how long your band is going to need to be booked for, as well as which type of band you’re going to want to hire. Very few brides are going to want to walk down the isle to the sound of tambourines.

Style and Tone

The next main issue to tackle is the style and type of music you want played. While there are a tremendous range of musical interests out there, picking the one you’re most comfortable with and then finding the right band for you is the way to go. If you’re a big time country girl it’s likely that last thing you’ll want to due is hire a heavy metal band to round out your reception. Keep in mind that many wedding bands are well versed in multiple genres, and that could be something you look into to make sure that your guests have the best possible time at your wedding.

Finding the perfect one

Next is interviewing the bands themselves. It’s a great idea to check out at least 3 bands, and a terrible idea to just go with the first ones you meet. Wedding bands will all have varying degrees of talent, and it’s a tremendous idea to ask them to play a couple songs for you. This is going to separate the wheat from the chaff, and save you from having an embarrassing moment when the band strikes up and sounds sour as can be.

Once you’ve narrowed you choices, or maybe even found the band you’d like to play at your wedding, give them a sample set list of the songs you’d like to hear. This is best to do after the initial cuts are made, and any band serious about giving you the type of special day should have no problem giving you a dry run. It’s your wedding, and you should make certain that if you have special songs you’d like performed that your wedding band is going to be able to do them justice.

If everything is sounding smooth and professional, ask them to give you a couple of references to weddings they’ve played at before. You probably don’t want to be the first wedding a band plays, and you definitely don’t want to be fooled by their practice sets only to find out that the drummer always shows up late or the bassist has a couple cocktails too many before playing his set. Even if you’ve fallen in love with a specific bands sound, make sure that you check up on their history to avoid any accidents.

Author Bio: This article was written by Joel Mayer on behalf of JMD entertainment, suppliers or corporate and wedding entertainment across Australia.

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