Hiring musicians is an unfamiliar process for many brides and grooms-to-be, but finding the right musicians for your wedding can be a truly fun experience.  Choosing wedding musicians gives you the chance to express yourselves as a couple--musically!  Here are seven simple ideas to help you get started with planning your wedding music.

1. Take a listen - Make sure you hear what your prospective ceremony musicians sound like before you book them.  Most ceremony musicians have sample recordings, and may even invite you to attend a concert or live demonstration. As you listen, imagine the sound at your wedding.  Does it create the right atmosphere for your ceremony?  Listening thoughtfully will help you find a sound you truly enjoy.  

2. Ask Questions - Professional musicians not only have the skills to play beautiful music at your ceremony; they also have experiences to share that can make your special day go more smoothly!  The best musicians will happily answer your questions and help make the details “just right” for your special day.  Choosing musicians who make you feel comfortable asking for help can take the stress out of planning your wedding music.

3.  Don’t be afraid to try something new - String quartets are timeless options for weddings, but there are a variety of combinations of instruments that can create an elegant atmosphere for your ceremony and express your personality at the same time.  Today‘s brides and grooms are personalizing their wedding music to reflect who they are as a couple.  Everything from bagpipes to African drums can lend itself to a memorable and beautiful ceremony. Try listening to several different types of groups to find one that expresses your unique personal style.

4. Style, Style, Style - Just as unique instruments can make for a memorable ceremony, incorporating different musical styles can make your wedding more personalized.  Everything from including a favorite pop song to having an entire jazz-themed wedding is fair game!  If you are getting married in a church or temple, though, you should double-check with your officiant to make sure nontraditional music is allowed at the location.

5.  Get It In Writing- Personal touches like special song requests or having the band accompany a vocalist can add beauty and originality to your ceremony.  But remember to get these details in writing to avoid confusion down the road.  Good musicians solidify your plans in a written contract, and should review the contract with you to make sure you understand all the details. 

6.  Look out for your musicians - Professional musicians have extensive training and musical expertise, and are passionate about putting their experience to work for you.  If you treat your musicians in a considerate and professional manner, you can be assured of an excellent performance!  Most musicians will list their specific needs, like adequate performance space and a 10-minute break for each hour of playing, in the written contract.  Once you understand what your musicians need, plan these accommodations ahead of time for less stress (and better music!) on your wedding day. 

7.  Get two things done at once - Take advantage of Raleigh’s tightly-knit musical community to find musicians for your ceremony and reception.  Ask your ceremony musicians to recommend a band for your reception--they probably know several excellent groups in different styles.  If you find yourself equally impressed with two musical groups, consider having one at the rehearsal dinner or reception, and the other for the ceremony.

Christina Thompson’s Bio
Christina Thompson is an active professional musician and music educator in the Raleigh, NC area. She has played trombone for 17 years, and holds a Master of Music degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Through her business, Summerglen Music, Christina is dedicated to helping people of all ages discover and develop their musical abilities, and to creating beautiful music to celebrate the special events in people’s lives.  To learn how Christina can bring more music into your life, visit her website at http://www.summerglen-music.com, or contact her at christina@summerglen-music.com.
 
Company Profile
Summerglen Music is a Raleigh business dedicated to helping people and organizations achieve their goals through music.  Founded upon the idea that every person has a unique “signature” musical sound that is waiting to be realized, Summerglen is committed to creating musical learning opportunities and live performances that fit your unique personality and needs.  Summerglen’s specialty is working closely with brides- and grooms-to-be to create wedding ceremony music that expresses their special personality as a couple in an elegant and memorable way.
Website: http://www.summerglen-music.com
Email: info@summerglen-music.com