Wedding Ceremony Music – DJ vs. Live Musician
When choosing wedding ceremony music, most couples select either a wedding DJ or live musicians. A wedding DJ will play pre-recorded wedding ceremony music, while live musicians will just do that, perform live at your wedding. Deciding which option is right for you comes down to the ambiance you are trying to create, your venue and budget.
Photo Credit: Miller + Miller Photography
Wedding ceremony music consists of 3 main parts – prelude, processional and recessional. The prelude music is played while guests are being seated prior to the wedding ceremony starting. Prelude music typically begins 15 minutes prior to the start of a wedding ceremony. This set of music is typically lighter music to give a relaxing anticipation prior to the wedding. Processional music is played while the family, bridal party, groom and bride enter the ceremony. Many weddings choose to have different songs played for each set of bridal party attendants walking down the aisle highlight their entrance. Recessional music is played at the end of a wedding ceremony, while the bride, groom, bridal party and family exit the aisle. Recessional music is usually upbeat and celebratory
We’ve outlined a few pointers below to help you in selecting what type of wedding ceremony music is right for your wedding. If you’re looking for a reputable wedding ceremony musician in the Hudson Valley or Tri-State areas, take a look at Maura & Co. Music.
Photo Credit: LJ Studios
Venue
Do you have a small indoor venue with not enough space for a live quartet to play? Or are you having a large outdoor ceremony that needs loud music? Take into consideration the size of your venue, if it is an indoor or outdoor space and how many guests you will have when deciding if a live musician or wedding DJ is right for you. You don’t want to choose something that will overwhelm your space or guests.
Photo Credit: Jessica Frey Photography
Budget
Wedding ceremony musicians typically charge between $200-$500 per musician. A wedding DJ typically costs between $200-$500 for a wedding ceremony. Whichever option you go with, consider having the same person(s) also play for your cocktail hour if it’s at the same venue and they will already be there.
Photo Credit: April O’hare Photography
Ambiance
Depending on the atmosphere you are trying to achieve for your wedding ceremony, this may help you decide if you want to hire a wedding DJ or live musician. Do you want to be able to customize your songs? Or do you want to know exactly how your songs will sound during your walk down the aisle?
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