Choosing ceremony and cocktail hour music

The ceremony needs four cues, not a playlist

• —Prelude: 15-20 minutes as guests are seated.
• —Processional for the wedding party.
• —A separate, distinct piece for your entrance.
• —Recessional: the biggest, brightest thing in the set.

Ensembles that suit a ceremony

A solo guitar or piano suits an intimate indoor ceremony. A string duo or trio carries an outdoor lawn far better. A vocalist with acoustic guitar works when you want lyrics for the entrance. Whatever you choose, an outdoor ceremony needs an amplified system — wind eats acoustic instruments and vows alike.

Cocktail hour: background, not performance

Cocktail hour music should sit under conversation. Guests should be able to talk without raising their voices. Jazz standards, bossa nova, soul instrumentals and light acoustic sets all work. Save the volume for the reception.

Do you need separate musicians?

Not always. Many full-band packages include ceremony and cocktail-hour coverage using a subset of the band, which is far cheaper than hiring a second vendor. Ask what is included before quoting a separate ensemble — ours covers both.