Meal Courses and Dancing - scheduling

[nylalany]

(but i have no clue how long things should be which is why i wrote in 1st place)

[lyrebard]

Hmm...between the cocktail hour and first course? Another good possibility. I think I like that.

 

Problem is, we're sorta struggling with what to do, music-wise. I'd really like a live band, but the one I'd like is pretty pricey and we can only afford a couple hours. I was thinking that if we wanted to hire a solo guitarist for the ceremony, perhaps we could ask him to play two sets, one during the ceremony and one for cocktails?

 

But then what? iPod/CDs during meals? Does two hours of band make sense, if one set comes after dinner and one after dessert? Then what do we do between the salad course and dinner? I worry that with appetizers during the cocktail hour, people won't be hungry enough to eat all three courses in a row.

 

ack!

[nylalany]

Will they even allow the hours to be separated that much? Ours offers 2 sets of 45 minutes each with a 15 minute break in between. That is why I'm trying to utilize them a little before the meal and in between the courses, so they don't just become dinner music. Then after the meal (but before dessert), we're having a DJ. You can probaby just do an Ipod/Cds but we thought the DJ would add some energy to the evening by taking requests and the like.

 

What is the live band you'd like? I haven't heard any I like. The one we're thinking of is a Jazz band that my wedding coordinator used for another wedding and it got good reviews for dinner music during the wedding from the bride and groom, but they don't have a sample.

[lyrebard]

Well, "dessert" basically consists of people grabbing cupcakes. =) we're not doing a cake cutting, as I hate being the center of attention and there doesn't seem to be any particularly good symbolic reason for it. (I'm a sucker for symbolism and tradition, lol.) So 15 minutes might be ample!

 

The band we're talking to is Balance La Banda, recommended by Matt Adcock and someone else (can't remember who!). We only want Latin music, and the samples and repertoire that's up on their website (Balance la Banda - Downloads) seem to fit what we're looking for. They're larger than we think we need (6 people?) but I just like the idea of infusing energy into the evening since we won't be playing music that most people know. I think we've been to too many weddings with the chicken dance and electric slide, so we're looking to do this a bit differently. I was even considering no band, no music, but I think that would confuse people and besides, I love music too much!

 

I really like the idea of a jazz band, and think it would be great during dinner. but since we're thinking of offering a salsa lesson, seems like Balance would be the way for us to go.

 

What kinds of prices were you getting for the jazz band sets?

 

-L

[nylalany]

I'm not sure since it is included in our package - but originally they quoted me 3 band sets to be included in my package with a Latin band, and said that it would be = to $450 each or something, so if for the jazz band she's only including 2 sets, I'd guess $600 a set? I can ask her about the Latin band if you'd like - it might be more since you're not having your wedding at the actual venue. And they don't have any samples (which is part of the reason I got frustrated and said ok maybe the Jazz band is ok b/c someone I spoke to loved them).

 

Our DJ is $600 for 4 hours, so I figured 2 sets of band + paying the extra $600 for the DJ for 4 hours would be good.

[lyrebard]

It's interesting, with so many people headed down there and planning events these days that the WCs haven't gotten around to creating samplers of different bands/trios/soloists that they can send to their guests. I see potential here for someone to do that and charge a nice little fee for it... =)

 

I have had the same problem. I heard only one band's sampler, and it was straight from my WC's laptop when we met with her. She had no samples from other musicians, and didn't have a way to send the one she had to me so that the Boy could hear it (he wasn't able to make the trip). This whole going-on-blind-faith thing is scary when you're shelling out so much money!

 

However, in thinking about it, you might be right. I'm now thinking:

 

ceremony

cocktail hour with soloist guitar

salsa lesson after cocktails (so separates appetizers from dinner, and people will have time to get hungry again?)

iPod/CDs during:

-soup course

-salad course

-dinner

band plays a set

dessert (cupcakes!)

band plays another set

 

haven't figured out timing for all that, though. what do you think? starting to get away from the idea of dancing between courses...

[nylalany]

Will your band be willing to take a long break between salsa and after dinner? Or are they not playing for that part?

 

Otherwise, it sounds like a great plan! The only reason I'm doing some band during dinner is because I can only book them for 2 consecutive sets w/15 minute break, and I think their only style is Jazz. I want some fun dance music that is more current as well, so I'm figuring get some Jazz dancing in between courses, and then dance regular after, and enjoy the cool Jazz during our meal? I don't konw!

[lyrebard]

We wouldn't be using them for the salsa lesson...might just do a CD for that. Good to have feedback, thanks. This is something we hadn't even begun thinking about yet, but need to as we need to sign contracts with the musicians!

 

I love the idea of jazz. Were you imagining ballroom-type dancing to go with it?

[nylalany]

Yeah, like Ella Fitzgerald and that sort of dancing - or maybe swing or whatever. But I have NO idea what these folks are able to play. UGH. My sister had an 8+ piece band at her wedding in NY. I guess the pay off of Mexico is the beach .

[Saram102]

Wow...you are all way more organized then me!! I've still got a ways to go but I just have planned to all have dinner and dessert at one of the restaurants and then music/dancing after. Maybe I need to put more thought in to this!