Luxury Wedding
When you’re planning a luxury wedding, you want your guests to have a blast. And, admit it—you want them to talk about your wedding reception for months to come.
So what is the “secret sauce” to ensure a successful wedding?
It’s always timing.
As an experienced wedding band leader, I’ve learned that the ingredient needed for an impeccable luxury wedding reception is a detailed timeline. With carefully measured event planning and fantastic live music, you and your guests will surely have an unforgettable experience.
Many weeks before your luxury wedding reception, we meet to discuss exactly how your affair will unfold. Once your timeline is set, I give a copy to your maître d’, wedding photographer, and wedding videographer so that we’re all on the same page and your reception flows seamlessly.
The key components of a timeline are:
The Luxury Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour
When will guests be invited into the room? We prepare the background music accordingly. What music would you like for the processional (entrance) and the recessional (exit) of the bride, groom, and bridal party?
During the cocktail hour— we typically play wedding jazz standards. A single keyboardist or guitarist could perform, or you may want a duo consisting of a guitarist or keyboardist and horn player or bassist perform. It could also include a jazz trio consisting of a guitarist or keyboardist, bassist and horn player. It usually is a financial consideration.
The Wedding Reception Introductions
After the cocktail hour, the guests flow into the reception site. This can take up to 15-20 minutes, depending on the number of guests. Our entire band plays as guests enter the reception room. After that, whom would you like us to introduce—just the bride and groom, or the parents and bridal party as well? Whatever your preference, we play a song of your choosing for each group of introductions. We are also happy to make recommendations.
The First Dance
What is your first dance wedding song? Would you like your guests to join you on the dance floor? Again, it’s your preference. We do recommend following the first dance with up-tempo tunes that get all generations on the dance floor!
However, the decision is yours.
Wedding “events”
Is the bride’s father giving a toast? Is anyone giving a blessing before the first course? Are the maid/matron of honor and best man giving a toast to be followed by parent dances? When is the entrée being served? (We often recommend a short dance set prior to the serving of the entrée.) While I make recommendations (e.g., doing toasts while guests are eating to maximize dance time), the order of events is your choice.
The Toasts
Usually right after the first dance the father of the bride welcomes the guests and toasts the bride and groom. If the bride and groom would like a short dance set after their first dance, the father of the bride’s speech would come after the short dance set.
I usually suggest that the other toasts from the Maid/Matron of Honor and the Best Man take place after all the guests are served their first course. This allows the wedding reception to flow and allows for more dancing after dinner since these toasts take place while the guests are enjoying their first course.
The Bride/Father & Groom/Mother Dance
These important dances could take place right after the toasts from the Maid/Matron of Honor and the Best Man. First is the bride and father dance followed by the groom and mother dance.
The songs that are played are usually edited so they are under three minutes each. Of course, the songs would be chosen by the bride and groom. An effective band leader could help in this regard if needed.
Dance Set Prior to the Serving of the Entree?
If there’s time after the parent dances and before the entrée is served, rather than have your guests sitting at their tables for too long, it would be appropriate to have a short dance set. You really don’t want your guests sitting too long.
I would suggest that if there’s period of more five minutes prior to the serving of the entrée, dance music needs to be played.
Wedding Cake Cutting?
The choice is – Do you want the cutting of the wedding cake to be announced or do you want it to be done on the side of the stage unannounced with just the bride and groom and their special friends, parents and grandparents present?
If you want the cutting of the wedding cake to be announced, my suggestion is to do it when your guests are finished their entrée. In this way, it won’t interfere with the flow and energy of the dance music.
Breaks – When & What
The band’s main job is to have a packed dance floor the entire evening except when your guests are enjoying their courses, or when there are the traditional items of a wedding reception are taking place. That being said, the band needs to have a break during your party.
The best time to have a break would be during the entrée. I always have two musicians taking turns performing on stage during this time. This adds an upscale ambiance to your special evening.
If a second break is needed, it should be done so it doesn’t impact the energy of the room. Ideally it would coincide with the serving or displaying of the dessert.
Dance Dance Dance – The Party Kicks Into High Gear!
After dinner the traditional items are taken care of. The rest of the evening is about keeping the dance floor packed with dancers enjoying themselves and celebrating with one another. This is where an experienced band and band leader at their best – creating a memorable experience for everyone.
If you have any questions, contact Sid at 267-259-7570. We love to hear from you!