Words: Anna Kibbey Illustration: Jacqueline Bissett
YOUR MUSIC POLICY
The sky’s the limit with entertainment. You can spend like an oligarch and fly Elton and his piano in through the roof, or just stick on an iPod playlist and take it from there.
At £500 and upwards, a DJ is the cheaper of the inbetween options (as long as it’s not Fat Boy Slim). A good one comes with the advantages of technical AV knowledge and an ability to gauge the mood on the dancefloor – which, for now at least, an iPod can’t. They should also retain a level of sobriety not afforded to your room of DIY DJs later in the evening.
ALIVE AND KICKING
Live music is a guaranteed floor filler, so cast around for recommendations from friends. Expect to pay at least £300 per member for a professional band for two 45-minute sets. Look up live gigs on YouTube or Facebook, check websites for sample set lists and never judge a band on pre-recorded tracks, as production can hide a multitude of sins.
Do your research properly. Your initial choice of band is key, because you can only dictate a couple of tracks plus your first dance (give them plenty of notice so they can rehearse). Otherwise, leave them to it – they’re the experts.
Remember to feed and water musicians for optimum performance, and ask them what happens between and after sets – most will offer to play an iPod or laptop.
This article was first published in Square Meal Weddings, 2015