Top Wedding Music and Entertainment Trends for 2014by The Best Men wedding band

Just as the popularity of wedding dress styles vary from year to year, there are always new trends in the area of wedding entertainment.

As one of the busiest entertainers in Ireland, we in The Best Men wedding band are in a prime position to spot these latest entertainment trends, observing the latest and greatest ideas on the scene, night after night!

RSVP Guests Favourite Songs

In an effort to embrace the tastes of all of the guests on the big day, couples have begun to include a favourite song request on their Wedding Day Invitations. When a guest replies to the R.S.V.P., they also name their favourite song.

When the invites are answered, somebody makes a list of all of the songs that were nominated. (This sounds like a job for a young brother who desperately wants to help out with the wedding plans. If you have a young brother who is extremely obliging, congratulations, as it would be the 1st time in recorded history such a person existed).

Because The Best Men co-ordinate music entertainment throughout the wedding day, from afternoon reception until last orders, the guests favourites can be played at appropriate times of the day. As Time Goes By (from Casablanca) could be performed by the jazz duo in the afternoon, Ever Fallen In Love With Someone by The Buzzcocks might get a spin by the DJ.

However, if a guests favourite song is F*ck Tha Police by N.W.A., they may find themselves disappointed on the day.

Quirky Cocktail Reception

Many couples opt for some form of background music performance to take place during the afternoon drinks reception. Without it, the initial get-together after the ceremony can sometimes begin quietly, especially before the bride & groom arrive.

But recently, there has been a move towards more quirky, up-to-date choices of entertainment. We recently began offering The Kooky Ukes, a ukulele & vocal trio, as an alternative option for afternoon buzz and the interest has been phenomenal. Close-quarter magicians, caricature artists, boutique sweet trolleys; these inclusions break the ice, fill silences and any other euphemism for managing the interaction between his and her relatives!

The quirkiness doesn't end there. During dinner, we have witnessed the increasing interest in the 'singing waiters' one minute they're serving the mains, the next, they are belting out 'Nessun Dorma'.

Not Just The Classics

With so many television programmes and magazines exploring the area of wedding planning, its not surprising that todays brides-and-grooms-to-be have become increasingly aware of what is standard at weddings. Couples know what they want and dont want on their big day. Applied to music, this savvy discernment means that while it was once acceptable for wedding bands to play a standard set of classic songs, this is not still the case in 2014.

While some classics are an essential part of the experience, a lot of couples are seeking that little bit extra from their band; recent chart hits are a must, slightly left-of-centre choices, lots of variety in style, something different. (Hey Cliff Richard, welcome to Dumpsville. Population: YOU!)

We at The Best Men have learned that you must constantly update your set to provide a live experience that hits every mark, if you want to be the first choice for happy couples in 2014.

Traditions

Another notable shift in emphasis can be seen in the focus on wedding party traditions, or lack thereof. For example, the long-standing custom of Removing The Garter has itself become a little removed from convention. Most brides do wish to Throw The Bouquet, but some are now choosing to present the bouquet to someone special, such as the brides mother or a special friend. If the brides bouquet is ever given to the grooms mother, well all die of shock.

The Tunnel Of Love has remained popular; its a nice way to end the night and is more fun than even the most sceptical might expect. And of course, while the first dance is a perennial favourite, some recent couples who are less happy about showing off their dancing skills often ask for the bridesmaids, best man & groomsmen to join them after one verse and chorus.

What about consummation of the marriage? Does this tradition still take place on the wedding night? Who knows The Best Men have never been booked for this particular part of the night!

One Contact For Everything

The 21st century phenomenon of the wedding planner has seen a musical equivalent - couples now seek a one-stop-shop to co-ordinate all of their music entertainment over the course of the wedding day.

Brides & Grooms have found it a blessing to use just one individual contact to manage this entire area of the days arrangements: someone with years of experience and success in the role. There are enough other worries for the couple preparing for matrimony. Its just a shame that the band dont do venue seat cover hire, invitation stationary design, on-site crche facility and tux rental, but you cant have everything.

Our co-ordinator Niamh has sourced the following for weddings...Church singers

Classical musicians for ceremony

Trad trio, Kooky Ukes, solo piano, jazz duo, guitar duo, jazz trio with vocals for the afternoon

Piano during dinner

Evening band, of course!

Djs

Musicians for Sing-Song in the residence bar

And finally, musicians for the following day's chill out drinks!

If you want any further information about any of the details in this article, please email niamh@thebestmen.ie or phone 00 353 86 1061282 or visit www.thebestmen.ie