Ceremony music

Can you talk to the DJ about doing the ceremony music as well? We had our DJ for everything. What time is your ceremony? You can possibly get someone to just play music off their phone on a Bluetooth speaker, but it may not sound the best. Or, if you have the budget, hiring a live musician, like a violinist, may be really cool.

You could look into hiring someone to play guitar or cello or another instrument for the ceremony music, or book a live band for just the ceremony, or you could look into adding ceremony coverage to your DJ package!

View Quoted Comment I was think about it but feel like that would be a long day. Our ceremony is at 3pm. Have the food 5-7 and the reception from 7- 12am. So we have him booked from 5pm to 12am. I think a live musician would be a great idea.

View Quoted Comment Hiring someone to play an instrument sounds like a great idea!

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Most DJs are prepared and equipped to work that long of hours!

Ours will be with us from 3-11pm! I'd first check and see if your DJ can come do the ceremony music as well and ask them if they charge extra for the extra time that they'd be there. Also ask them if they'll have a mic or lapel mic so that your guests can hear what you and the officiant are saying. I'd then compare those prices to a live musician because live music can get VERY pricey.

View Quoted Comment Thats a good idea, I honestly had no clue on what to do but thank you so much!

If you ceremony is at 3:00, but dinner does not start until 5:00, is there a cocktail hour in there? If so, you will need music for that also. I think having your DJ start at 3:00 is the best option. DJ's are used to long hours and working 3p-12a will not be an issue for them.

View Quoted Comment I wasn't planning on having a cocktail hour figured ceremony, pictures food and then the reception. I will reach out to the dj. Thank you

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If you are not having a cocktail hour then what are your guests supposed to do until 5:00? Most ceremonies last 30 minutes. That leaves an hour and a half that your guests have nothing to do and no where to go while you and your bridal party are taking photos.

View Quoted Comment Well I hadnt thought of that either. Thank you for bringing it up, now I feel like I really should have hired a professional.

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Traditionally, immediately after the ceremony, the couple and their bridal party goes off to take photos. While they are taking photos, the guests head to the cocktail hour where the couple and their wedding parties will join later.

Based on your timeline, it would be 3:00 ceremony, 3:30-4:30 cocktail hour/photos, 4:30-end time dinner and reception.

View Quoted Comment Ok sounds good. I will make sure we set that up. Thank you so much!

Do you want the dj to play ceremony music or do you want instrumentals from a live musician?

View Quoted Comment But what are the guests doing while you’re taking pictures? That’s what a cocktail hour is for, to host your guests while you do photos.

View Quoted Comment Sounds like you’re on the right path!

View Quoted Comment I was unaware, like I had mentioned this is so new to me🤦🏻‍♀️. But I will definitely make sure we have the cocktail hour included. Thank you for the suggestion.

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Thank you. I really feel like should have hired a wedding planner.

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I think a live musician would be perfect.

Girl, I didn't hire a planner, I have a church friend doing the DOC duties. I got a lot of help looking online at timelines and my photographer has been helpful along with my mom, actually everyone has, I have two bridesmaids that are married so I asked them and they are excited to help. I'm planning on having a live musician for the ceremony, cocktail hour and part of the reception, maybe I should just do the first two though, anyway its all in the same place, the rest of the night we are doing a playlist, it's not super fancy but neither overly casual, since it's at home I feel like the mood is intimate, homey, and relaxed, despite us looking good aha

I wanted to plan it myself and take joy in the stress, weird I know,