Your band and DJ aren’t mind readers and everyone has different taste in music so it’s so so important to communicate your wants and needs to your Wedding Band or DJ way in advance in order for your day to run smoothly.
1 – Songs that you definitely want to hear as well as songs you definitely do not want to hear.
2 – Your 1st dances as well as a song for the announcement of the wedding party and or Bride and Groom. Choosing a last dance is always fun as well.
3 – Give a band ample time to learn any songs that you would like played that are not already in their repertoire.
4 – Venue approval – Be sure that your venue meets all of the electrical, space and load in requirements that the band may need. Also make note of any other special things in their rider such as food/water/beverages/changing room/accommodations etc.
5 – Whether you are opening up the floor for toasts at all. If you don’t want random groomsmen and aunts and uncles taking stage to “say a little something” let the band or DJ know and they will handle it so you don’t have to!
6 – Be sure to provide them with a detailed timeline of what the evening will look like, making note of cake cutting/1st dances/bouquet and garter etc. Be sure to work it out beforehand if you would like for them to act as a Master of Ceremonies and make announcements.
7 – Decide what music will be played during breaks. Will they just use their judgement and decide on a mix or will you give them one of your devices with a specific playlist to plug in? If so, make sure it is fully charged and it’s not a bad idea to have that playlist shared to an extra device just in case.
8 – Make sure that they have GOOD directions to the venue. That’s more important here in the NC mountains than it is in more populated areas where GPS actually works. If google maps or the GPS does not give them the right directions, let them know that so they don’t just mindlessly plug it in and roll… Also, if they aren’t from the Boone/Blowing Rock area, they may not know to allow ample travel time, especially during peak season. They also may think, “hey the venue is only 15 miles from Boone” and not realize that sometimes 15 miles translates into 45 minutes.
9 – If you are announcing the wedding party and bride and groom, provide them with the order that everyone is coming in and help them with any difficult pronunciations. Also tell them how you would like to be announced – Mr. and Mrs. John Smith….
10 – And for the love of God, if you don’t want them to do the thing where the person that catches the garter puts it back on the person who caught the bouquet, please tell them!!!
