Music helps to make your wedding day a warm and memorable event. Live musicians performing pieces which you have selected are a pleasant attraction for your guests to watch and listen to during your wedding. Also, they can be fun to interact with during your reception.

Your Style of music. Live music is available in many styles and there are price ranges to fit almost any budget. You do not need to be an experienced musician to correctly select the "right" music and musicians for your special event. There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that the music you choose is within your budget, represents your feelings and makes your event a joyous occasion.

Which instruments do you enjoy the most? Do you like to hear flute and piano, voice and guitar, cello and harp or solo violin to name a few? Numerous groups advertise in metropolitan areas. In reviewing the ads you will find quartets, trios, duos, brass and woodwind ensembles. If you are not sure which instruments you prefer, you can check out audio cassettes and CD's from your library which represent varying groups. There are many possibilities to sample.

Size of Group. Keep in mind the size of the group you are considering for two practical reasons which are price and space. A large group will probably cost more than a small one. A large group looks very impressive and will produce a warm, full sound but may require more space than your wedding location can allow. A small group might cost less, will produce a warm, intimate sound and will not require much space.

How much do live musicians cost? This varies between groups. Most musicians have a flat rate for the wedding ceremony which may or may not include taxes and travel expenses. The rate for receptions/dinners will be an hourly rate which might require a minimum of one or one and a half hours with half hour increments available after that.

If you pay more do you get better music? Not necessarily. It is wiser to be influenced by the demonstration recording than the price tag.

Where will your wedding be held? If it will be in a church you can always use the organist. If the organist is on vacation or you don't want organ music you will need to consider alternatives. Some churches insist that you must pay the organist even though you may be using your own musicians. Would another location be an option for you? You may want to use live musicians if your wedding will be held on a farm, at a park, banquet hall or in your garden area. Will the musicians you hire need electrical hookups? Park settings are popular but if your setting is on an island, by a river or a lake, there may not be any electricity available.

Where will your reception be held? Your wedding may be held on an island but your reception will always be held where there are facilities for keeping food hot and cold and that means electrical outlets. With electricity present you have at least four options. You can use the house sound system and recordings. You can bring a CD player and use your own CD's. You can use a DJ. You can use a live musical group, either strolling among the tables while performing or stationary. Most musicians will perform outdoors as long as their instruments are not rained on or exposed to direct sunlight.

Substitute CD's for live wedding music? If you really want or need to cut costs could you simply use CD's for your ceremony? Yes, but be aware of the following possible problems which are listed in order of importance:

1. Weddings rarely begin on time. Your CD operator may be cued up at the correct time to begin the ceremony with the entrance music you have chosen, but you and your bridesmaids might not be ready yet. The CD operator will not know whether to add another CD and take a chance on missing the first one or two bridesmaids as they enter or to have an embarrassing silence while waiting for the first bridesmaid to show herself. Live musicians just keep turning pages and playing until you and your bridesmaids are ready.
2. Your CD operator needs to be an experienced DJ or a musician to know how and when to fade in and out with the sound. There are some very funny stories about music getting out of control during weddings.
3. If something happens to the continuity of your wedding ceremony your CD operator needs to have a short piece ready to go instantly. Live musicians are watching for problems and when one occurs they don't waste time asking questions, they start playing something appropriate which may last from five seconds to two minutes. When this is done correctly your guests never suspect that something almost went wrong during your ceremony.

Contacting and interviewing live musicians. When you have decided which types of instruments you would like performing for your ceremony you can start contacting the musicians of your choice. You can e-mail or call groups which advertise and ask if they are available for the date of your event, how much they will charge including taxes and travel fees and will they be dressed formally? Most groups will send you their demonstration recording so you can preview their sound without sales pressure.

Selecting music for your wedding ceremony is the easy part. Once you have found the right group for your occasion you can arrange a time to meet with them before your wedding day. When you meet with them they will play starts from several pieces which they feel are appropriate for your event. All you have to do is listen until you hear something you really like. You can select music for your bridesmaids entrance, your entrance, communion, signing of the registry and a recessional. Extra music between readings or as a meditative time during your service is also available.

Favourite pieces. If you have any family favourites such as hymns or ethnic pieces be sure to mention them to your group. They may already have these pieces in their repertoire and if not they may agree to arrange the new music for use at your wedding.

How can you cut musical costs for your reception/dinner? The most effective use of live musicians at the reception is during the cocktail period while you are having your photographs taken.

This session lasts from sixty to ninety minutes and during that time your guests have little to do but consume cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Live musicians give your guests something to focus on. Most groups will gladly take requests and some have a strolling musician who can perform while walking among your guests giving personal attention to each one.

If you are having a dinner it will probably be starting right after the photo session. This may be a good time to excuse your musicians and lower your costs. Your guests have had some drinks and will be concentrating on food instead of music. If you have a DJ present then you have a good source of dinner music.

If you really want to have live musicians playing through dinner you might consider having them only until the entree arrives. By this time even the nicest, most well-meaning guests will have had some drinks along with wine and food. Your guests may now be clanking on glasses and having a great time but they probably are not listening to music.