The ABCs of Wedding Do-Re-Mis

By Beth Kujawski

Such an important detail of your wedding warrants your time and attention. Musicians are often booked for gigs more than a year in advance. No matter when you're getting hitched, you can't start deciding on music soon enough.

Kristin Hooper, who is planning a formal wedding and reception for 150 guests, has felt a little daunted and has been putting off making a music decision. "We want some jazz, some covers," she says. "It's a struggle. We don't know where to go." Luckily, she's getting married in March, one of the least-busy wedding months in Chicago. But she's already made one decision: She and her fianc,, Joe, are opting for a band "for the extra energy at the reception," she says. "With live music, we feel more people will want to get up and dance."

DJ or Band? ...

This seems to be the most hotly contested debate in wedding planning. And few prospective spouses occupy the "it-doesn't-matter-to-me" middle ground. Whichever corner you're in, you're ready to come out swinging with your arguments.

The pro-DJ theory: "If we hire a DJ, the songs will sound the way we remember them!" There are some practical reasons to opt for a DJ, and the first one is space. A band, even a small band with its performers, instruments, amps and mike stands, will take up a fair amount of real estate at your reception, and you'll need to allow additional space between the stage or performing area and the dance floor. You don't want your guests swaying directly in front of eardrum-splitting speakers.

Another reason to consider a DJ, of course, is price. DJs cost less than live musicians. And live musicians, no matter how good they are, probably won't recreate "your song" they way you remember it. If you must have Whitney Houston sing "I Will Always Love You," accept no substitutes. Either hire Whitney, or make sure the DJ has her song on the play list.

... Band or DJ?

The pro-band argument: "Bands are more fun!" Lychelle Lawrenz, director of catering for the University Club of Chicago, is a big believer in bands. "I believe that a client should only use a DJ versus live music if their budget does not allow for live music or if there is a plethora of ethnic guests/music preferences that must be met," she says. But it's not just about picking a band, it's about picking the right band. "Guests fail to realize how very, very important the bandleader truly is, because he or she is the actual emcee that orchestrates everything. That individual must be able to speak well, follow a very detailed timeline and also be able to shave off or add on dancing time if the kitchen is behind or ahead. And the bandleader needs to be someone who listens to what the bride or groom wants and not tell them what he thinks they want."

The best way to audition a band is to pop in on one of their gigs. Ask them if you can stop by when they're playing an upcoming wedding. Lawrenz recommends that you consider at least three bands before making a decision.

Trends

Music can further personalize your wedding. Not that there's anything wrong with the wedding-music canon, mind you. It's your day. If you want to hear KC and the Sunshine Band singing "Celebration," and a dance floor full of guests doing the "Hokey Pokey," then, by all means, make it so. But if you'd like to do something a little different, consider these wedding-music trends:

Ethnic music: Celebrate your heritage while you celebrate your love. Hire musicians to play the music that your grandparents might have heard at their wedding. If you're not up to a full night of, say, Serbian tamburitzas or Mexican mariachis, consider hiring these musicians for a limited time, perhaps just during the cocktail hour. You don't want guests who are unfamiliar with a particular musical style to stick to their seats.

Tribute bands: You and your spouse-to-be may be in love with Journey, but chances are they're not going to play your wedding, no matter how nicely you ask. Why not go for the next best thing: a tribute band. Tribute bands' sole reason for being are to emulate, as closely as possible, their rock 'n' roll idols. They sound surprisingly like the real thing.

Decade or Style: You could plan your wedding reception's music around a favorite decade. Brides and grooms in their 30s can relive the 1980s of their youth; swing music from the 1930s and 40s is fun, even if you don't know all the jump 'n jive dance moves; Motown is just plain cool. Consider adding a karaoke machine if you've invited a bunch of extroverts to your wedding.

Do your homework

Hiring a band is a big decision. There are a slew of resources on the Web to help you make up your mind. But there's no substitute for legwork. Stick with professional musicians who understand the kind of event you are planning, listen to them perform if you can, and ask for references. The best musicians have solid reputations and are happy to refer you to satisfied customers.

Price estimates

Of course, price is a significant consideration when deciding what musical route to take. And the price will vary depending on when you get married. You may be able to negotiate a lower fee if you're getting married "off-season" - during non-holiday winter months - or on less popular days of the week.

DJ: Some DJs charge a flat fee, others charge by the hour (with a minimum number of hours required). Flat fees differ based on amenities (Do you really need a fog machine?); some packages start at $1,200 and top out around $2,000. Hourly rates will run $250 - $500 an hour.

Jazz Trio: Whether for a cocktail hour at a swanky hotel or for whiling away an evening at a formal reception high above the city lights, plan on shelling out anywhere from $150 to $450 an hour for three hep cats.

String Quartet: Classical-music lover? Descendant of Mozart? You might spend $200 to $600 an hour, a small price to pay for a lot of panache.

Bands (Large and small): A small band is usually considered six musicians or fewer, a large band, seven or more. Fees for a band are usually flat, often negotiable (more-popular bands may set their rates based on demand, so you'll want to book them as far in advance as possible for the best rate) and include a set number of hours, with charges for overtime. If you've seen a band in another city (at a friend's wedding perhaps) and you absolutely must have them perform at your reception, many bands are willing to travel. They'll bill you a premium fee, and specify a number of airline tickets and hotel rooms that must be supplied. If you can find a band you like in your hometown, estimate $2,800 to $3,000 for a small band, anywhere from to $4,000 to more than $10,000 for a large band.

As with all wedding details, don't sweat the small stuff. No wedding is 100-percent glitch-free. "Don't overfret it," says Steph Meyers, a newlywed who hired a band to perform at her wedding reception. "Because in the end, you're married, and that's what you're there for."

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