Wedding Day, Live or DJ

Wedding season-the time of year when you find yourself sitting in yet another church on yet another Saturday afternoon watching yet another friend marry his or her "best mate." You notice the pink flowers, you smile obligingly at the toddling flower girl, and then you cringe inwardly when you see the bride blush. She's blushing not because of the usual wedding-day jitters. No, she's blushing because the c.d. skipped and now she and her dad will have to run down the aisle in order to get to her groom in time for the next song to begin. Later, you groan as you walk into the reception hall and hear the feedback from the speakers as the deejay adjusts the microphone and fiddles with the volume. That day you vow that, when you get married, your wedding will be refined, elegant, and classy. You will have live wedding music.

It's only natural that you prefer live wedding bands. For your wedding, you envision a trio of string instruments playing when you walk down the aisle. You see a violinist, violist, and cellist passionately playing Bach or Handel as your maid of honour takes her place at the front of the church.

The live wedding music will continue at your reception. As guests wander in with their hors d'oeuvres, they will be greeted by the sound of a small jazz combo. The bass, piano, and trumpet player will sense the mood of the crowd and adjust their song choices accordingly. Should you have a special request, the band is happy to oblige. As you and your partner sit down for your first dinner as a married couple, the trumpet player puts down his instrument and serenades you with his rendition of your favourite Frank Sinatra song.

Of course, there is the possibility that your future mother-in-law will be opposed to the idea of live wedding bands. Should this be the case, there is an easy compromise. When the cocktails, dinner, speeches, and cake cutting have finished, the band members can pack up their instruments and move aside to make room for the deejay and his disco ball. Now the dance floor is free, and you and your partner can slow dance to songs like Elton John's "Your Song" or boogie to new favourites like Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance."

If you want your wedding to be sophisticated, chic, and stylish, then you should consider inviting a live wedding band to join your wedding party on your special day.