Wedding Orders and Announcments

[DMX Will]

Ok!

Heres the story: I've done one Wedding before (infact it was just the reception with no first dance). I've also been out with Doug (Fresh) to one Wedding too, and obviously attended one or two as a guest.

This year I have a residency at a very nice, well know hotel in our area. 98% of the bookings are weddings starting from July running to September.

Now i'm relatively comfortable about the type of music and it doesn't worry me at all. However I'm after a little bit of guidance on orders and anncouncments.

So we have setup, and we've had some background music going for X amount of time.

I introduce myself, and then welcome up the Bride and Groom for their first dance, saying something along the lines of "have your cameras at the ready" sort of thing.

Ok, I think that's right, correct me if I'm wrong, but then what happens?

- Do I ask family/friends to join them half way through the song?
- Do I offer my congratulations at the end of the song?

Is my aim to keep everyone on the dance floor for a few songs? Or let them go off for yet more chin-wagging, or even try to keep them there until the buffet?

Would it be advisable to announce that requests are welcome just after the first dance is finished?

What sort of music (typically) follows a first dance? Anything or the continue with the slow stuff?

Lots of questions! Just want to clear this up, as I had a sleep-less night, mulling it over in my head, and asking myself questions I simply didn't have the answer to!

Any help/quotes of things you say would be really appreciated!

Cheers!

Will

[Ricesnaps]

It's usually a great idea to ask the bride and groom. After all, they may not actually want a first dance (I have had a few) or maybe they are really shy and want it over with (so half a song is a good idea). Otherwise they'll be fame seekers and pick a 6 and a half minute long first dance and want to be watched for the whole thing!

As for how to follow it, ask the bride and groom. I generally suggest that it's followed with another slow song (or two) and I encourage the guests to join the happy couple on the floor (usually very successful). Sometimes I even suggest tot he bride and groom that they pre-promt a few family or friends to come and dance - it only takes one to start the ball rolling.

Alternatively I have had other couples who just want to boogie and have made it clear that it's up tempo from the minute the first dance finishes!

At the end of the day, it's their day, so ask them what they want!

[Danno13]

I generally go straight into an up tempo track after the first dance and encourage people onto the floor. This is the best opportunity to get people up and dancning as most people will be gathered around the floor anyway.

You'd have to ask the B&G about whether you should invite other guests onto the floor with them. I also make a few announcments to hype up the first dance a bit.. 5 min warning, after this song, just 2 mins, just 1 minute left etc..

I always ask people to give a warm welcome to the B&G as they come onto the dance floor and then also wish them congratulations and get another round of applause at the end of the dance.

This is usually when I'll introduce myself as well, and sometimes mention requests, depending on how keen people are to get on with the dancing - sometimes its best to just keep it short and sweet and mention request in a couple of tracks time.

Like has been said though, its usually best to speak with the B&G, although you'll find some don't really know what they want which is when it helps to have an idea yourself so you can suggest things. The above is only how I do things, we're not all the same so I'm sure there are plenty of approaches that work just as well.

[Have a disco]

there is a usual order in the old fashioned way

1 first dance
2 2nd dance (generally the new inlaws mum and dads dance with respective others and or bride and groom)
3. Slowie for everyone else then warm up music til buffet bride and groom requests etc etc (I usually have about 25 max from them some can be used later in night)
4. Announce Buffet if there is one
5. Cutting of the cake announce photo time again
6. Start the real party music tunes etc
7. Tunnel of love if they are leaving early a way of saying hi bye to the guests of the night (Is a special tune for this not sure what quite yet have used it but forgotten what it i. Its been a while for this exit) usually followed by more rice and confetti as they drive off to there honeymoon
8. more party music and end of night slowie (usually first dance tune again) plus a couple more for luck
9. collect cake as you leave request unless distributed by staff previously

I think this how I was taught years ago.... Of course every wedding is different but this is a good guide to go by

[jamesh]

It's tricky as every wedding is different and the happy couple generally have a set idea of what they want exactly... So pre wedding phone calls, emails and perhaps a meet should get all this info out... IN gereral i tend to go with the format of...

1 first dance

2 2nd dance (if there is one.... sometimes the one first dance song does the bride groom, the inlaws and then everone else on the floor before the end of it)

3. Congratulate the happy couple once more over the last 10 seconds or so of the song before going straight into a couple of party classics (without any gap between the first dance song and the party stuff) to keep them all on the dance floor..

4. Announce Buffet if there is one - drop the music level, sometimes the light will be turned on... Back to background music but more upbeat stuff to keep the atmosphere there.

5. Cutting of the cake IF it hasn't already been done...

6. back into the party stuff for most of the night untill the bride and groom are ready to leave (sometimes this is in the last 10 mins other times it might be half way through the night)

7. Bride groom archway.... if they want to do one.

8. If the bride/groom leave half way through the night back to party stuff - if towards the end of the night then i tend to leave the archway till 10 mins before the end then do the archway then something like new york new york then a slow track then one more if i can squeeze it in...


There's a few reasons i don't go back to slow or background music after the 1st and 2nd dances and that is that generally the guests that have been there all day are raring to go and want to party (sometimes fueled by 10th bottle of wine) and the 2nd reason is it's a perfect opportunity to keep all the guests on the dance floor.... they are oin there for the first dance so why let them leave... get the party going.... Some will leave the floor no matter what but i generally find at least half will stay and dance and it kick starts the evening...

I just generally find if you play background music until after the buffet in some cases you are 2 - 3hours into the disco and people generally get bored in that time if it's just background.

[wensleydale]

simple answer is theres no correct order.
i always ask b&g either beforehand or on the night how they want to do it and let them decide- suggest ideas if they ask but ultimately let them have their say.

[PropellerHeadCase]

Echoing what everyone lese has said, Will, you seem to have the right idea with your Options A/B - often the answer lies with what the bride and groom wants... if they want direction then, beyond what has already been said, and if the bride and groom want some direction as they don't know (very common) a slow dance or two to follow the first dance if there are enough older guests who know how to waltz/foxtrot or just slow dance, otherwise... party!

[CRAZY K]

Ok!

Heres the story: I've done one Wedding before (infact it was just the reception with no first dance). I've also been out with Doug (Fresh) to one Wedding too, and obviously attended one or two as a guest.

This year I have a residency at a very nice, well know hotel in our area. 98% of the bookings are weddings starting from July running to September.

Now i'm relatively comfortable about the type of music and it doesn't worry me at all. However I'm after a little bit of guidance on orders and anncouncments.

So we have setup, and we've had some background music going for X amount of time.

I introduce myself, and then welcome up the Bride and Groom for their first dance, saying something along the lines of "have your cameras at the ready" sort of thing.

Ok, I think that's right, correct me if I'm wrong, but then what happens?

- Do I ask family/friends to join them half way through the song?
- Do I offer my congratulations at the end of the song?

Is my aim to keep everyone on the dance floor for a few songs? Or let them go off for yet more chin-wagging, or even try to keep them there until the buffet?

Would it be advisable to announce that requests are welcome just after the first dance is finished?

What sort of music (typically) follows a first dance? Anything or the continue with the slow stuff?

Lots of questions! Just want to clear this up, as I had a sleep-less night, mulling it over in my head, and asking myself questions I simply didn't have the answer to!

Any help/quotes of things you say would be really appreciated!

Cheers!

Will

Theres a lot of good tips here but also dont forget if you get a play list you have the framework of the music for the evening, when you launch into the bit after the first dance or two you can mention this at the same time i.e. playing tracks specially selected by the B and G which should hopefully improve the number of people staying on the floor.

You also dont need to talk immediately about requests because youve got a load of them!

CRAZY K

[DMX Will]

Thanks guys! A great help as per.

One problem I have got, as I'm the resident, I don't actually talk to the B&G before hand. I arrive at 6.30-7 (depending on when the venue states) setup briefly (no lights, and I will be keeping the majority of my equipment at the venue), and GO!

The venue gives the B&G a request sheet with 20 slots in, and this sheet allows them to state their first dance. I suppose what I will have to do is ask the manager (each night) the order of events, I need to give them a call in the next few days so I will bring it up with them then.

Now a few of you mentioned the "love archway" thing. Now I've only seen this done once, but I obviously understand the basics:

People make long archway with partner opposite them, B&G go from one end to other. Job done.

But, how does one go about organising them into this archway, and what music do you play during this period, is there a "special" song?

Cheers again!

[sleah]

But, how does one go about organising them into this archway, and what music do you play during this period, is there a "special" song?

Just cut the music right back and asks the guests to form the arch (Guard of Honour?)
The song has to be Cliff Richards 'Congratulations':D

[PropellerHeadCase]

One problem I have got, as I'm the resident, I don't actually talk to the B&G before hand. I arrive at 6.30-7 (depending on when the venue states) setup briefly (no lights, and I will be keeping the majority of my equipment at the venue), and GO!

The venue gives the B&G a request sheet with 20 slots in, and this sheet allows them to state their first dance. I suppose what I will have to do is ask the manager (each night) the order of events, I need to give them a call in the next few days so I will bring it up with them then.

I would seriously ask the venue if they will allow you to contact the Bride & Groom, get a rapport going before the big day, and the big day is easier, for both parties. If they're not so happy about it ask them to at least pass on your contact number so that if the Bride & Groom want to contact you they can.

[Ricesnaps]

Just cut the music right back and asks the guests to form the arch (Guard of Honour?)
The song has to be Cliff Richards 'Congratulations':D

Actually the song doesn't have to be "Congratulations" at all. There are a number of great wedding songs you can use. I have a Mastermix medley of them I use which is great - get me to the church on time, Chappel of love, etc...

As for organising people into the arch, that's where you and a radio mic come in. Get out from behind the decks and encourage people!

[Corabar Steve]

I often use the first dance song again if they are having the arch (although be prepared for back up as I've seen these last up to 4 songs, depending on the number of guests & how fast the B&G move along the line)

[DMX Will]

Actually the song doesn't have to be "Congratulations" at all. There are a number of great wedding songs you can use. I have a Mastermix medley of them I use which is great - get me to the church on time, Chappel of love, etc...

As for organising people into the arch, that's where you and a radio mic come in. Get out from behind the decks and encourage people!

Any linky linky/clicky clicky Matt?

[Ricesnaps]

Any linky linky/clicky clicky Matt?

I'll see what I can find when i get home

[DMX Will]

I'll see what I can find when i get home

Cheers. :D