Ambient Entertaining
During your mingle time, make the most of music
The close of the ceremony marks the beginning of the celebration. Set the main stage for entertaining at the reception with a band or DJ. But you don’t have to sip in silence during the cocktail hour. Here’s how to blend some tunes into the transition time.
Mellow Melody
When it comes to hitting the dance floor, the band or DJ will know how to get the crowd moving. But during the cocktail hour time out mixing music to the scene adds to the ambience of the evening. Singer and songwriter Nick Nagurski of St. Paul, Minnesota observes that, “Music played during the cocktail hour immediately enhances the mood of the crowd.” Not too overshadow the band that would hit the stage later in the evening, Nagurski recently played a mix of classic and contemporary pre-selected choices on the piano as guests mingled. “The sounds were subtle and not distracting.” Vivian Miller, part owner of Austin Wedding Planner in Austin, Texas, agrees: “Music during the cocktail hour calms guests and makes the crowd more relaxed.”
Mix It Up
For choosing your beats, keep the options open and don’t limit yourself to the venue type. Miller recalls, “At a rustic traditional Texas fete bagpipers entertained ears during the cocktail hour.” While these windpipes couldn’t be farther from the Texas Two Step, the band of blowers gave a nod to the happy couple’s musical tastes. “What plays during the cocktail hour can match the theme of the evening, but it doesn’t have to.”
Opening Acts
Miller and her team suggest many different sounds of music for the cocktail hour.
Mariachi bands bring a fiesta feel to the festivities.
A single saxophonist during an outdoor lawn cocktail hour ranks No. 1 in Miller’s memories. “He walked around the crowd allowing everyone to be a apart of the music.”
Hire a strummer with a classic guitarist.
Bring back the swing with the rhythm and horns of a jazz ensemble.
For purity of voice, opt for an a cappella group.
Do-It-Yourself
With today’s options in musical choices, create your own play list to combine sounds from multiple sources. Miller sees some of her coordinators taking the iPod route but has some warnings. “The music sometimes doesn’t sound right or work with the speaker system. And you must have someone responsible for technical issues. The wedding coordinator will be too busy taking care of other details to manage the music should anything go wrong.” If the personal playlist suits you best Miller suggests, “Do a sound check before the wedding day.” From salsa to symphony, set the tempo and opt for the cocktail hour musical mingle.
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