Drummers Please

There's been some discussion lately between the fiance and I about our wedding reception entertainment. I'm interested in having a live band that sings a variety of music, because we've always enjoyed live music, but we've also considered having a DJ -- all typical wedding talk; however, a not-so typical idea has come up that I'd love to get your opinion about.

Aaron wants drummers. Yes, drummers.

He would like to have a "drummer performance," during the reception. Need I say more? He's shown me a few online videos of the type of performance he has in mind and I'll admit, I like the sound, I like the feel, I like the idea, but just not for our wedding reception.

The good news is that if we do decide to have drummers, we'll get the best of the best drummers in the area.  I know between Aaron and his Dad, we'll end up with amazing, ultra-talented performers.I wonder how I'll feel with my wedding dress on, surrounded by family, enjoying dinner, and then all of the sudden, there are drummers pounding away in the center of our dance floor.

Aaron says this is the one thing he really wants -- ha! Yeah right! Anyway, I hate to crush his dreams, but I think we can compromise. His mother is planning to have a second reception in Williamsburg (where Aaron's family lives) for friends and acquaintances that we are not inviting to the wedding. I think this is the perfect affair for Aaron's drummers.

There's the cake cutting, the first dance, speeches, and all the other la-de-dah of wedding receptions to consider and I'm just  not sure I want to share my precious time with drummers. Am I being selfish? I don't have a lot of good examples on hand of exactly what he wants, but I think it's djembee drummers...

Here are a few video examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT2J1Ot9N5c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPvm7wxBMKA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5QdC_kqE-4

Share your thoughts and don't be shy!!

What kinds of performances have you seen at weddings?

Have you considered anything other than traditional entertainment at your reception?

Our First Dance

Mr. JeffMemorial actually picked out our first dance for the wedding.



"She's Got a Way" by Billy Joel.

Billy Joel has always been one of his favorite artists of all time. For many months we didn't really have a song that we identified with. In fact, we had a completely different song chosen as our first dance: "L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole. Then, on my birthday, at the conclusion of an amazing surprise birthday party, we slow danced to this on the jukebox at the bar. We have done that a couple of times since then, but it really is "our song".

...and I kind of love that Mr. JeffM was the one who chose it. Gets me every time, when I listen to it.

For awhile there, picking a first dance song felt as stressful as trying to pick out a dress. It seemed like an easy task, but picking a song that kicks off your marriage? That's tough! Then the answer came so easily. Even though I didn't pick it out, the first time we danced to it was magical, and it felt absolutely right.

Have you guys picked out your first dances as of yet? Was it an easy decision or a tough decision?

P.S. I hope that video is correct. My speakers aren't working properly at work.

Music to our ears...

For our wedding, we decided early on that we wanted to go with a band. Now, its kind of funny to those who know me, because nothing makes me happier then going out and dancing all night when the DJ is good. I love, love LOVE a good DJ, and I may even go so far as to say, I prefer and DJ as a guest 9 times out of 10.
However, I also feel that because we are doing the traditional Jewish dance of the Hora, a band is absolutely necessary for the full effect. Plus, as fun as a DJ is at a wedding, all ages go crazy for a good band. So my search began for a non-cheesy, really fun, Motown type band began.
I knew this would not be easy because I had some initial rules. My first rule of the band was No Gloria Estafan. Don't get me wrong, I love some Gloria Estafan, "The Rhythm is Gonna Get Ya" will get me out of my seat..... but when it goes wrong, it's SO wrong, and that's not a chance I can take. I also wanted a more Motown, soulful sound, and one that would really encourage everyone, of all ages, to want to dance. Oh, and I wanted horns. I know it's slightly over the top, but, hey, if were going to do this, lets do this!
It's probably important to know that Mr. CP and I, do not have the same musical taste. he likes rock...I mean, classic rock, alternative rock, country rock, hard rock, emo-rock, and whatever other "rocks" there are. Literally, his requirements are a "sweet guitarist" and some old rock and roll. You can see how this search will already be difficult!
The band search began! My parents really wanted me to consider a particular talent agency in the area, that have kind of cheesy bands. I have been to a few weddings and bar mitzvahs, and even company holiday parties with this agency, and they are just a little to cheese for me. I don't want you to be on the dance floor trying to groove. Ya know? Anyways, Despite my pleas, Mom and Dad CP ordered me a set of DVDs to watch. So, Mr. CP and I sat down and painfully watched the cheesiest bands ever.
Luckily we had another DVD to watch too. I found a a talent agency online, Bialeks Music, which was referred to me. I spoke with Robin and she was really helpful and responsive, and just a pleasure to talk too. There were about 4 bands Mr. CP and I agreed to pursue, but we didn't agree on our favorites. If he loved it, I liked it. If I loved it, he just liked it. We scheduled some days though, to go see a few bands.*
Also, my brother and sister-in-law had a really great band last November. REALLY GREAT. I mean, people still talk about how amazing their band was. I knew that band was out of my price range, but I thought I would call that talent agency and see. So I tell them, I want this band, or one like it, but for about $4K less. (4K!!!). They send us some DVDs of similar bands, playing similar music, and to our surprise, we BOTH loved one of the bands. I loved the vocals, and Mr. CP loved the musicians and the "jazzy beat." I scheduled a time to go see them with Linda, of Entertainment Exchange. Unfortunately, Mr. CP had to travel for work and the next time we could see them, we were supposed to be out of town. So I brought sister-in-law CP (bridesmaid)and my maid of honor. We get to the Holiday Inn where they were playing, (yes, they played in a cocktail lounge) and as soon as we walk in, the band leader comes over to me, introduces herself and makes us feel really welcomed. Then, who walks in, other then the most famous Mayor of DC, Mayor Marion Barry! Obviously I took a picture. Who wouldn't! (So fun right?)

The band starts, and I must say, they ARE AMAZING!! EVERYONE, (including the Mayor) is dancing! It's happy hour and people are dancing! I knew they were right. We stayed and listed and then I made some calls and booked them.
Check out this link and tell me what you think!

Are you considering a Band or DJ? Which do you prefer as a guest?

*Even though in the end, we did not choose Bialeks, they had some great bands, and a lot of variety. Mr. CP and I both LOVED at least 1 band...they unfortunately weren't the same bands.

To DJ or not to DJ

As fiancé and I have recently - finally - compiled a budget, we decided on a $500 budget for the DJ. It's not a do or die thing - I MUST HAVE A DJ - no no, it's not like that. I'd prefer one but upon some first searches, most of the DJ's I've come across thanks to DC Knottie Reviews and similar sites, is most are between $600-$1000 that I've seen.

So I ran the idea by Fiancé - we're paying for a dance floor but perhaps we could just do an IPod wedding. Perhaps it might not be so bad. Our planner at our reception hall offered to Emcee it for us if we so desired, and could put the IPod behind the bar so that we can't mess with it (because I know myself and I totally would) .

But do I want entire control of the music? We have our first song picked out, I have the father-daughter dance picked out, we haven't really talked about the mother-son dance, but really? I know what songs I want played. I'm just...nervous. What if the IPod dies? I could see that happening. What if it runs out of battery? Guh. There are too many what if's for me to concern myself with but then there's the bigger what if - what if we can't find a DJ in our budget? With our guest list still about 20 people over where we want to be, we don't really have the room to go over anywhere else in the budget. *sigh*

Does anyone have any experience with Ipod Weddings? What are your thoughts on the DJ v. IPod debate?

New Song for the List of "First Dance" Possiblities

Photo by Stephanie Millner Photography & Design, http://www.stephaniemillner.com/

I was driving down 395 yesterday afternoon (yes, in the crazy storm) and I heard the most charming new song from Jason Mraz, called "I'm Yours." I'm definitely adding it to my list of "Possible First Dance Songs" and at the very least I think it will make an appearance on our play list. If you like Ingrid Michaelson's "The Way I Am" or the Bill Frisell version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (from Finding Forrester) you will probably enjoy this song.

The First Dance

As I mentioned in a previous post, Fiance and I have been taking group dance lessons for a while now. Not for our first dance song, but just in general so that we feel more comfortable on the dance floor in any situation (not just for our wedding). We've completed all of Ballroom Dance I and most of Ballroom Dance II, but last Thursday we began private lessons for our first dance.

We don't want to do anything fancy...none of those elaborate dance routines that you see posted on YouTube. We just wanted to be able to do more then the high school sway.

So now that's we've begun, I thought I'd share our choice of first dance song. We didn't have an "our song," and there really is no major story behind our choice other then it's a song we've both always liked, it's not a very common first dance song, the lyrics are nice, and it's a fun song.

So without further ado here it is:



Now you may have noticed that the song has a pretty fast beat. We've started practicing a single swing for the song, but if it ends up being too fast for us to be comfortable we have a back-up...this awesome (and much slower) remake by Lily Allen:



And just in case you were wondering about the lyrics, here they are:

Don't get me wrong
If I'm looking kind of dazzled
I see neon lights
Whenever you walk by

Don't get me wrong
If you say "Hello" and I take a ride
Upon a sea where the mystic moon
Is playing havoc with the tide
Don't get me wrong

Don't get me wrong
If I'm acting so distracted
I'm thinking about the fireworks
That go off when you smile

Don't get me wrong
If I split like light refracted
I'm only off to wander
Across a moonlit mile

Once in awhile
Two people meet
Seemingly for no reason
They just pass on the street
Suddenly thunder, shower everywhere
Who can explain the thunder and rain
But there's something in the air

Don't get me wrong
If I come and go like fashion
I might be great tomorrow
But hopeless yesterday

Don't get me wrong
If I fall in the "mode of passion"
It might be unbelievable
But let's not say "so long"
It might just be fantastic
Don't get me wrong

Anybody else chose an uncommon first dance song? What about one that wasn't a "slow song"?

Sam Hill Entertainment

When looking at music for the wedding Fiance and I were pretty sure we wanted a band as opposed to a d.j. Fiance is a huge live music fan and we both liked the atmosphere that a band can create. Unfortunately, bands usually cost a lot more then a d.j. and Fiance and I didn't want to spend a ton of money...which meant we had to research, research, research to find a good but reasonably priced band.

Hands down the best resource we found for researching bands was Sam Hill Entertainment. They are a booking agency based out of Charlottesville but they book all along the East Coast (focusing mostly on D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina). What sets Sam Hill apart from the other booking agencies is their website and their customer service.

They were the only booking agency we found that listed the price range of the bands on their website. This was so incredibly helpful. We didn't have to contact an agent just to see if the band we were looking at was expensive or not. Fiance and I could look at bands that were within our budget range and not get our hearts set on something we couldn't afford. We could see videos, listen to music clips, and read reviews of the different bands as well. It was also a great learning tool...what's the difference between a $10,000 band and a $1,500 band? Take a listen and see.

Some other agencies I contacted were less then helpful and actually refused to give me a price list for their bands...so there was no way I could compare bands or figure out what fit within my budget. I felt that any place that would refuse to share prices of the product they are supposed to be marketing was probably pretty unethical and trying to hide something so I didn't give them my business. I didn't want any financial "surprises" on my wedding day.

When you look through Sam Hill's site make sure you put in the correct region your wedding will be in...part of the pricing on the bands depends on the location of the band....so a band based out of Philadelphia will be cheaper if your wedding is in Philly and more expensive if the band has to travel from Philly to D.C. Hiring a local band can save you a couple hundred to a $1,000+