It's a shame to say it and few will admit to being guilty of it, but most of us fail when it comes to wedding music. It's not their fault, of course, they've talked to other people, consulted a wedding planner and been to weddings. So, they check out the cover bands they've heard of, or hire a DJ out of the Yellow Pages.
But, when we strive to make our weddings reflections of who we are, why do we treat the music like the napkins? Or perhaps give it even less thought than that? Don't drop the ball on your wedding music.
Here are five things to consider:
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You want your guests to have fun, of course, so maybe you feel like the wedding music shouldn't just be pleasing to you. But that's ridiculous. Maybe half the people at your wedding won't like your tux. But you still get the one you like, because it's your day and you should be comfortable and happy. If you like jazz, why not hire a jazz combo or even a soloist or duo? Any talented musician can mix things up, playing some down tempo music during dinner and some danceable stuff afterward.
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While Aunt Sally might love to do the Electric Slide, no one else does and certainly no one with an age in the double digits wants to do the Chicken Dance. Make your wedding music cutesy only if it applies. If you're having a very formal wedding with mostly adults, why not bring in a string trio or quartet? If you're having a family-friendly, more casual do, then whip out the "Hokey Pokey."
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Don't veer away from the theme, if you've got one. Having a Vegas themed wedding? Hire a band like The 5 Card Studs or an Elvis impersonator. Or maybe a singer that does Sinatra. Having a beach wedding? Why not a Beach Boys-style band or a reggae group?
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DJs. If you want a variety of music that you fear one musician or band can't handle, a DJ is for you. A DJ can also work more easily at a quiet level than an amplified band with acoustic drums. BUT, do not let the DJ determine the program. If you have a list of songs you want to hear, the DJ should accommodate you. Any DJ not willing to do so is a DJ that doesn't deserve your business.
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Volume volume volume. No matter what kind of music you include in your wedding, you will likely have a battle with a DJ or a band over volume. It's happened at nearly every wedding we've ever attended. Despite the fact that many of these musicians and platter spinners make a lot of money playing the weddings circuit, they never seem to remember that they're not playing The Rave. It's your gig, you hold the checkbook. Demand they play at a reasonable level. Your grandma shouldn't have to leave early because she's being blown out of her chair.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
