WEDDING MUSIC

by ANNE PYBURN CRAIG

date posted: March 16, 2017

Shakespeare speculated that music might be the food of love. Feed your loved ones well!

ceremony: Whether live or recorded, filling your venue with music as guests arrive and sit down is a wonderful thing. Consider harp, flute, violin, chamber music, a vocalist, or classical guitar—sweet background music that allows comfortable conversation and sets a thoughtful mood. And don’t be afraid to choose your favorites for the processional and recessional.

cocktail hour and dinner: Make sure the music doesn’t overwhelm conversation. If your budget allows, a live jazz trio or chamber quartet is lovely.

after dinner: Everybody dance now! Whether you’re hiring a live band or a DJ, check references.

music checklist:

Is your bandleader or DJ also the master of ceremonies, or will someone else take on all or part of that role?
Can you see a video of an earlier gig to make sure your DJ or band has the right stuff?

be sure to discuss with the dj or band:

Songs you must have
Songs you must NOT have
Timing and music choices for any reception rituals such as first dance, toasts, cake cutting, and bouquet toss

DJ Ali Gruber

Rosendale, djalispinsvinyl.com

DJ Ali specializes in beautiful, homegrown, DIY, and alternative weddings. If you’re looking for a loud MC, smoke machines, and line dances, look elsewhere. Her job is to showcase the simple and elemental joy that music invokes in us all. She provides an eclectic soundtrack to accompany your big day, including cocktail hour music, dinner music, and her true forte: a bumpin’ dance party that spans generations.

DJ Bri Swatek

Wappingers Falls, 845-235-0080, djbriswatek.com

Share your unique style with your friends and family on your wedding day! DJ Bri Swatek will work with you to plan a wedding to remember. Listening to you before your wedding and reading the crowd during your event, DJ Bri will make sure that your guests are up, dancing, and having fun to all the music you love (and none that you don’t). Ready to celebrate?

Classical Pianist Harold Briggs

Woodstock, 615-497-0769, haroldbriggs.com

Walk down the aisle to the timeless “Canon in D,” “Bridal Chorus,” or something a bit out of the ordinary—you make the call. Woodstock resident Harold Briggs is a master pianist with a doctorate in music who has spent decades performing, and he is happy to collaborate to make your ceremony music exactly as you wish it to be. He can play organ in a church or keyboard in the woods and is available to play piano during your cocktail hour as well.

JTD Productions

Hudson Valley, 845-853-8912, jtdproductions.com

JTD Productions delivers peace of mind artistically, logistically, and financially. Their DJ’s have the experience and taste to play music that’s hip and accessible without being esoteric or cheesy. They know the ins and outs of virtually every venue: where to set up, where to plug in, and where the back-up help is, if needed. JTD Productions has a DJ for almost every budget and back-up DJs, back-up systems, and a million dollars worth of insurance for every job. Their artistry, know-how, and people are the reasons that JTD delivers peace of mind.

Soul Purpose

Hudson Valley, 914-489-8391, soulpurposehudsonvalley.com

Soul Purpose is a well-established and versatile seven-piece band that has been entertaining audiences for nearly 20 years. From jazz and swing to soul, New Orleans funk, Motown, and R&B, The Huguenot Herald says to “dance your heart out with Soul Purpose, a smokin’ band who will lift your heart… absolutely love what they do, gathering the boisterous energy of a dancing crowd and channeling it into a melodic explosion.” If you don’t want your great Aunt Sue to dance the electric slide, you need Soul Purpose.

Nick Gianni

Hudson Valley/NYC, facebook.com/nick.gianni.5

Sophisticated and professional music for your wedding ceremony or cocktail hour. Choose from a Jazz duo or trio, solo saxophone, solo piano, flute, strings, etc. to fit any live music style. Nick Gianni is a multi-instrumentalist raised on a steady diet of music. His grandfather made sure Nick had learned the basics of piano, violin, and clarinet at an early age. With a vast skillset, he’s is sure to make the music of your event both unique and memorable.