The wedding reception is a vibrant celebration of the newly formed union, a feast right after making a giant milestone in the lives of two people. As in all celebrations, being able to entertain your guests is a top priority of the bride and groom as the hosts.
Thanks to modern day technology, there are numerous kinds of entertainment available for weddings today. If before the question was only to either choose from getting a band or a DJ for the reception, these days, couples get to choose from either getting an acoustic performer, a mariachi band or simply toning it down to making playlists via Spotify for the party. Different unique acts come out each year as well, which makes for more options for the bride and the groom to choose from.
To help ease the task of choosing your wedding entertainment, here is a list of a couple of factors that you should keep in mind:
Location, location, location.
Match the entertainment to the venue you have booked for the wedding reception. Take into consideration the size of the space, the facilities available, and the location’s own acoustics – can the stage fit a full sized band? Will there be enough space for the guests to move around in case they feel like dancing? Will the performer be audible from the back or is there a need to rent huge speakers and microphones?
Power to the people.
The guests get a huge say when it comes to the wedding entertainment. If you are expecting more of the older folks and family members, then getting a loud rock band would not be appropriate at all. Also, it’s nice to choose the kinds of songs and genres that would be familiar to the majority of the guests.
It’s all about the money.
Of course, the budget will definitely play a big role in getting to decide which one you should get. It is cheaper to get a DJ compared to getting a live band for the party, but getting an acoustic performer for both the ceremony and the reception as a package would be a better deal overall. If you are planning to stay at the venue longer for an after party celebration, getting a party band would lead to more guests staying longer to dance and party all night long. Thoroughly compare all options against the given budget for the entertainment, it may be costly but entertainment is a great investment when it comes to the wedding party. It will absolutely be worth it, no matter what you choose.
A part of the day’s story.
Because the wedding reception serves as a part of the entire day as an event, it is important to make every single detail cohesive along with the wedding theme. For a more ethereal or folksy feel, an acoustic duo or a string quartet might make the cut.
Music from the heart.
Since the day is all about you and your spouse, it is still best to choose the kind of entertainment for the wedding that is near to both of your hearts. If you love going to music festivals together during summer, then getting a DJ is a must for you two. If the groom, along with the groomsmen, are in a band then holding a free concert for the wedding guests will be a highlight during the reception part of the day.
I like your advice on tailoring your entertainment to your guests. You want to take everyone into account and make sure they enjoy their time. That being said you can still fit some things in that you really enjoy and want.