Weddings are all about collaboration
Music Dept loves to perform live wedding music. We focus on the couple’s vision and coordinate with the planner, venue, and other vendors for a seamless presentation. Our core mission is to offer engaged couples and wedding planners a concierge experience when hiring live wedding music. From rehearsal dinner to after party, we take a meticulous and couture approach to planning and delivering your music plan.
3 Live Wedding Music Design Ideas
There is no single “right way” to do live wedding music
We hope that these sample outlines will offer inspiration and perhaps serve as a springboard to your custom live wedding music plan.
For couples without a planner, Music Dept often takes on the role of “Entertainment Planner.” Our music and coordination guides the flow of the speeches, first dances, toasts, and other important moments
1) Paris to BKLYN
Live Music for Rehearsal Dinner:
The mood is set with a French Chanteuse at the Rehearsal Dinner.
Violin Variations for Ceremony and Cocktail Hour:
The wedding day begins with an elegant String Quartet for Ceremony. Electric Violin adds a modern clubby twist to Cocktail Hour.
Live Wedding Music for Reception:
For Dinner and Dancing, the Sidewinders band grooves guests of all ages with classic rock, pop, soul, and Motown
DJ for After-Party:
To cap the celebration, DJ Tab Jones takes to the turntables and rides out with the dance floor die-hards.
Electric ViolinElectric Violin
Margot VarretMargot Varret
Strings (Solo, Duo, Trio, and Quartet)Strings (Solo, Duo, Trio, and Quartet)
Tab JonesTab Jones
The SidewindersThe Sidewinders
2) Sweet Thing
Cello and Guitar for Ceremony and Cocktail Hour:
Ceremony and Cocktail feature the Cello & Guitar Duo, Clerida and Adam. The wide repertoire and diverse rhythmic feeling that this duo can perform is sure to keep guests engaged and entertained across both Ceremony and Cocktails.
Live DJ for Wedding Reception:
DJ Alejandra takes over dinner and dancing. Alejandra has a wonderfully intuitive approach to a party. She pays great attention to the mellow classics during dinner. As the evening builds, she artfully manipulates the energy to create a free-flowing dance party.
Clerida & AdamClerida & Adam
DJ AlejandraDJ Alejandra
3) Come Away With Me
Ceremony and Cocktails:
The ceremony has the feel of old European romance with the Accordion of Erica Mancini. Steel Drums infuse the cocktail hour with a Caribbean flair.
Grand Entrance, Dinner, and Dancing:
Then we have a pop-up Gospel choir to highlight the couple’s grand entrance. For dinner and dancing, the concert-worthy Dr. K’s Motown Revue Dance and Party Band is sure to pack the dance floor.
After Party:
At 11pm the venue has a restriction on amplified music, so the after party features an all-acoustic Country and Bluegrass Band.
Ceremony: Erica Mancini, Accordion
Cocktail Hour: On the Beach, Steel Drum Band
Grand Entrance: Raise, Gospel Choir
Reception: Dr. K’s Motown Revue, Motown and Soul Dance Band
After-Party: Hickory Hill, Country and Bluegrass by the Fire-pit
Dr. K's Motown RevueDr. K's Motown Revue
Erica ManciniErica Mancini
Hickory Hill (Bluegrass, Square Dance, & Honky Tonk)Hickory Hill (Bluegrass, Square Dance, & Honky Tonk)
Raise (Gospel Choir)Raise (Gospel Choir)
Steel Drums (Calypso, Island, Reggae)Steel Drums (Calypso, Island, Reggae)
Surprise First Dance
Micro Wedding Surprise First Dance!
Jazz Band Wedding in Philadelphia
Custom String Wedding Songs
Broadway Themed String Quartet Wedding
First Dance Tips
All About First Dance Instruction
Contact
Talk to Music Dept About Your Wedding Music
Photo by Novella Photography
Live Wedding Music FAQ
How Much is Live Wedding Music?
A solo instrument for ceremony or cocktails starts at $300. Most of our wedding music plans fall between $1600-$7,000
Do Wedding Musicians Take Breaks?
The longest our musicians can play without a break is 2 hours. So, if you hire a duo for Ceremony and Cocktail hour they will play non-stop. If you book a band for a 4-hour reception the band will take a short 10-15 minute break for roughly every hour that they perform. However, anytime our performers take a break they put on pre-recorded music to fill the air.
How Do I Choose Between Band or DJ?
Its a personal choice, but we are glad to collaborate with you on this important decision in our consultations. In our opinion, there is no way a DJ can match live music for a Ceremony. We also suggest that the cocktail hour works best with live music. For dinner and dancing it is really a matter of the couple’s personal taste and wedding style. Remember, you can also mix and match with DJ and band through the reception or have a DJ and add live elements like Sax or Percussion.
Can I Make Song Requests?
Yes! We always ask for your special requests. Your “Do-Not-Play” list is also very helpful. We feel that Ceremony songs and First Dance songs should always be your special requests. Music Dept can make song suggestions, but we will never limit your choice to a pre-existing list.
Do You Have Bi-Lingual and International Wedding Musicians?
This is one of our specialties. In fact, many luxury wedding planners and entertainment companies will call on Music Dept to provide Greek, Russian, Indian, Spanish, Italian, Israeli, and Middle Eastern performers. These talents include bands, for some or part of the evening, as well as guest singers or speakers to bring out your family’s cultural traditions.