How to plan a wedding gig

[johnvice]

Hal Leonord Publising has these set guides. Books with the charts all instruments to play the a set around a specific theme.

They have a 2 or 3 book series for playing a wedding. 1 book per set. It's a great idea becuase weddings can be lucrative gigs but you have to play really middle of the road from all styles. Polka, rock, latin, cha-cha.

If I were to do a wedding, I wouldn't know where to start. (The idea of asking a DJ is a good first step.) This book series seems like a good "all in one" kit of what a vand needs to "do weddings" .

Each books comes with an audio CD of professional musicians playing the arrangements of each song.

 

[caesarbass]

Any ideas on what they mean by "MCing the wedding"? What does that usually entail?

MC'ing means that you're in charge of introductions, keeping the timeline going, announcing any special moments like cake cutting, announcing first dance, etc... Just to be sure, you should ask the Bride and Groom exactly what they expect from you. Have Fun!!!!

 

[kansas666]

Play "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton.

Keep the volume down for the first set. After that the old folks leave and you can rock out.

 

[nonsqtr]

Most often requested songs at weddings that we've played at:

My Girl
You Light Up My Life
Wonderful Tonight

 

[Blueszilla]

Some really great advice here, I'll be using bits myself.

Since you have some time between now and the wedding, and you'll be rehearsing for it, how about inviting the happy couple over for one of the rehearsals to see how they like what you're doing? You can incorporate some of the things the fellows have given you here (MC responsiblities, a timeline of events,etc..) and you can share your proposed set lists so they can confirm or deny certain tunes. It would seem that the more you are prepared, the fewer surprises and the better you'll sound.

I love wedding gigs; free food, extended breaks, and well dressed single women! Good luck and have fun.

 

[Kink Rimson]

My old band did a wedding reception once.
The only request was that we covered South of Heaven by Slayer, and that was from the groom!

Needless to say we played it. Strange ain't the word.