A wedding band or DJ can make or break your wedding reception. It's very important to choose a wedding band or DJ that will play the music that you and your guests enjoy, and be able to keep the party going all night long. When searching for the right wedding band or DJ for your wedding, keep these six tips in mind, excerpted from The Groom's Instruction Manual.

Match the Mood
If the wedding is formal and you're dressed in tails, you'll find a good match with jazz, swing, or even chamber music--but the "Electric Slide" might come off a little tacky. For any other kind of ceremony, the sky's the limit--traditional wedding bands, country-western jugbands, alt-rock DJs, whatever you like. As a general rule, the less formal your wedding, the less formal your music can and should be.

Don't Sneer at Wedding Bands
Sure, they're cheesy. They play the same venues every Friday and Saturday night, playing "Hot! Hot! Hot!" and "All Night Long" over and over again. But here's the thing: You want the cheese. Nay, you need the cheese. Because your old college roommate's alt-rock band is no substitute for a professional wedding band. Your reception is not Friday night at the local live music club; it's an artificial event with artificial needs. Wedding bands know this, and they've honed there acts to fit the bill. That doesn't mean you need to pick the cheesiest wedding band you can find, just don't discount them just because of how they make a living.

PAGE 1 2 3 next