Music Q&A

How, What, Who & When?
Q & A for Your Destination Wedding Music.
 
By Chuck Lawson
 
As a bride planning her most special of days, selecting music for your destination wedding events can be a little overwhelming. This is especially true with so many choices of quality entertainment -ranging from disk jockeys to live bands…and most everything in between- available on the Gulf Coast. Whatever your desires, needs, and personal style may be, hopefully the questions and answers in this editorial will help you in choosing the perfect music for your perfect destination wedding.


 
How many songs should I choose for a small intimate beach wedding?
While there is always room for modification, music for your wedding on the beach works very well in the following format:  First, music can be performed while family and friends are gathering for the ceremony.  The selections are usually left up to the musician.  Second, a song can be selected to be played while the mothers and grandmothers are seated.  Next, a different song is usually performed as the bridesmaids and flower-girls enter the ceremony site.  To signal the entrance and procession of the bride, her song is then performed.  During a destination beach wedding on the Gulf Coast, many brides elect to have a sand ceremony.  Music during this part of the service is brief, but normally a  nice touch.  Finally, a special song for the recessional of the newlyweds and their attendants will complete your perfect wedding.  Your musician can easily help you select the individual songs for your ceremony. 
 
I’ve always dreamed of a wedding on the beach.  What style of music should I choose to compliment the beautiful coastal surroundings? 
Instruments that work very well in this setting are Guitar, Violin, Harp, Sax, and Steel Drums.  While many brides are aware of the traditional Mendelssohn and Wagner songs, you may not know of the popular and unique tradition of the more casual coastal style music.  This includes songs in the Calypso, Reggae, and Caribbean styles.  Some couples select popular songs that have special meaning for them.  A guitarist, singing these songs on the beach is a nice touch.  You can even choose to have traditional wedding songs performed on the uniquely Caribbean steel drums.  These options are most definitely the “sound of the beach.”  Many Gulf Coast destination brides choose this type of music… after all, you are at the beach.
 
What styles of music should I consider for my rehearsal dinner and/or reception?
Keep in mind the diversity of ages and musical tastes in the group of family and friends gathered to help you celebrate your wedding.  While the bride, groom, and wedding attendants may like the latest songs from popular radio, the usual majority of guest at the wedding will have other musical preferences from many different genres. You may want to put in a little something for everyone. Variety is the answer!
 
How do I locate musicians to perform at my destination wedding events?
Locating musicians to select from can be accomplished by several methods. One is simply looking for those who are listed among the entertainers in the “Real Brides, Real Weddings” features in Gulf Coast Bride magazine and gcbride.com. Another safe bet is to ask for the advice of your wedding coordinator. Planners and resorts usually have their own preferred vendor lists. This will give you some good reputable options who have proven themselves to the planner or venue.  The internet can also be source for locating vendors such as entertainers, but remember that anyone –good or bad- can put up a website and entice some customers to use them. Do your homework and get some feedback from other wedding professionals before hiring someone based on just their website information.

How early should I book the musician for my ceremony, rehearsal dinner, and reception?
The answer here is, as soon as possible.  Because so many brides and grooms choose to be married on the beautiful Gulf Coast’s beaches, the available dates fill up fast.  Booking early will help ensure the musician’s availability and give them time to prepare any “special” song request.  Also remember, when it comes to the success of your wedding events, booking an experienced professional musician, band, or disc jockey is worth every penny…and minute, that it may take.
 
What type of requirements will I need to place on the entertainers who provide music at my wedding events?
There are several requirements to consider regarding the ceremony, rehearsal dinner, and reception. Music for a beach wedding ceremony requires keeping in mind the background sounds at the beach. There will be the soothing but prominent sound of the waves coming ashore, the cries of seagulls, and the ever-present coastal wind.  The musician will need to perform on an appropriate acoustic instrument relatively close to the action to be properly heard.  Effective instruments include Guitar, Violin, Harp, Sax, and Steel Drums.  The main requirements your musician will have to perform at your rehearsal dinner and/or reception will be adequate power, a designated location, access to the location, enough space, and enough time for set up.  In an outdoor setting, many musicians will also require a cover to protect them and their expensive equipment from the direct sunlight and other weather elements.  Many problems can be avoided if these requirements are handled ahead of time and the musicians made aware of them in advance.   
 
Choosing to be married on the beautiful Gulf Coast is a unique and special way to celebrate this important event in your life.  The spectacular setting and the music you select will be one of the most important single elements for making beautiful memories to take with you throughout your life.  Hopefully these answers can help you make the right choice in celebrating your new beginning with great music… Gulf Coast style! 
 
 
Chuck Lawson is a professional musician, songwriter, and entertainer now residing in Destin, Florida.  He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree and regularly performs on Guitar, Vocals, and Steel Drums for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and private parties. He has performed live with such greats as; Joan Jett, Kansas, The Commodores,
The Beach Boys, Atlanta Rhythm Section and many others. You can contact Chuck at www.chucklawson.com , www.tropicalislandmusic.com, or phone 850.496.7230.