From Wedding Singers to DJs - Wedding Musicians

A wedding celebration wouldn’t be complete without music. Wedding musicians are hired to play during the wedding ceremony itself and during the wedding reception. Wedding music during the marriage vows is usually classical and traditional while at the wedding reception, music can be a variety of choices from old to modern songs. Couples can even opt for a wedding singer, a band or a DJ to provide the wedding music for the wedding reception.

Wedding musicians have been around since wedding ceremonies were first held during ancient times. They provide gaiety and liveliness to the celebration of a sacred vow. Subsequently, as wedding ceremonies evolved in every culture and tradition, wedding music has been integrated into them. The Bridal Chorus and the Wedding March from the 1850s are still played today by wedding musicians during the wedding ceremony. On the other hand, other types of music are played during the wedding reception. Wedding musicians can play music from any period depending on the newlywed’s choices. The wedding music is usually decided months or weeks before the wedding day. This gives wedding musicians time to prepare especially if the couple has special requests for their wedding music.   

The choice of wedding music has to be decided specifically for all parts of the wedding ceremony from the pre-ceremony to the last dance. Most traditional wedding ceremonies follow a series of steps where or when music will be played. Songs are also specific according to each part of the wedding ceremony. These include the prelude, the pre-processional, the processional, the ceremony, and the recessional. For the wedding reception there are parts where specific songs must be played including the grand entrance, the first dance, the father-daughter dance, the mother-son dance, the family dance, cutting the cake, and the last dance.

The future husband and wife can choose from a band/group of wedding musicians, a DJ or a wedding singer to provide music during their wedding. Nowadays, most couples choose to hire wedding singers to make the ceremony and reception more intimate and personal. However, you can also opt to have combinations of different wedding musicians such as a wedding singer plus a band or a DJ. Hiring a wedding singer can be a bit expensive especially during peak season and if the wedding singer of choice is a popular one.