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Expert
Advice for Selecting Your Wedding Musicians
Many brides are
overwhelmed by having to make 2,156 decisions in planning their
wedding ceremonies and receptions to ensure their absolutely perfect
wedding day. What to choose: silver or gold table linens; chicken or
salmon; pink roses or delphiniums?
As a professional
Chicago pianist and wedding musician for over 21 years, I have been a
significant part of thousands of celebrations that included
“behind the scenes” negotiations, phone discussions, music
selections, rehearsals, recommendations for additional vendors, etc.
Particular brides were searching for only the best, and I’d like
to share suggestions in how you can do the same to ensure that your
special day be memorable, beautiful, and special.
Let
the Professionals Handle the Details
Relax and trust
the wedding professionals to help you by virtue of their expertise.
For instance, I have had countless years of experience and witnessed
almost every possible scenario imaginable:
I have seen a
bride faint just before saying “I do.”
Brides who
heard the Bridal March and stood frozen in the doorway.
The ring bearer
who had forgotten the ring on the 16th floor of the hotel.
Ceremonies
starting 45 minutes late because Uncle Bob took a wrong turn driving
to the church, etc.
Despite the
challenges presented, these weddings were absolutely beautiful, with
much credit given to professional vendors who knew how to handle
them. When selecting your vendors, be sure they can offer you top
references and have professional materials to share that represent a
quality business. If your phone calls are not handled professionally
and promptly, you are wise to go to someone else.
Remember: You are
planning one wedding; we help plan thousands!
Many people are
looking for value today and may believe that because Aunt Frannie
plays the piano, she’d be perfect as your cocktail pianist. Aunt
Frannie may know “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” but
do you want to hear it 35 times in an hour? Will your guests be
disappointed because she doesn’t know how to play anything else?
Let Aunt Frannie be a guest. Leave the music to the professional who
has a wide repertoire for everyone present. A professional musician
is trained to take requests, play polished, professional
arrangements, and do it all while smiling and carrying on a
conversation without taking her hands off the keys.
Live
Music is Recommended
The most
beautiful, elegant wedding ceremonies and receptions will have
“live” music; please leave your CD’s in the car. If
you are absolutely on the tightest budget, you can hire a solo
musician for what two dinner entrees or a lovely floral centerpiece
would cost. It’s smart not to “cut corners” when it
comes to ambience. Music sets the tone for your day: your guests will
notice. Keep this thought in mind, as well, for your wedding showers,
rehearsal dinners, and post nuptial champagne brunches. A celebration
without music is only a meeting.
Ask
for Qualified References
Ask your friends
to share names of local vendors they have dealt with for their
special occasions. If you don’t know of anyone, the facility
where you are planning your event usually has a list of preferred
musicians for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and corporate events
that include wonderful people such as bands, orchestras, DJ’s,
florists, photographers, caterers, videographers, etc.
Also, consider
asking your catering coordinator for their list of professional
musicians in your area. This is the best possible resource you can
find in that recommended vendors do not pay to be listed. Preferred
vendors are specifically recommended for consistent quality service
and impeccable reputations.
Anyone can get
listed in a phone book or a wedding magazine for a fee.
Recommendations will cost you nothing but are tremendously valuable
resources. If the facility recommends someone superior who guests are
talking about for weeks to come following a wedding, this reflects
extremely well upon the vendor and the facility.
Church
Rules
Brides planning
Catholic wedding ceremonies need to consult with the musical director
of their local churches before selecting musicians. It is common
practice for the church to require you utilize their “in
house” musicians and will not allow you to bring in
“outside” vendors. The church often has an
“approved” list of musical selections allowed. Be sure to
call first.
Kathie Nicolet
is a Wedding Pianist in Chicago. She has been playing for beautiful
ceremonies and receptions since 1983. She
is a Preferred Vendor of Mayor Daley’s Office of Special
Events, the Chicago Hyatt/Hilton/Marriotts-Ambassador East Hotels
(Pump Room/Chicago), and Von Maur Lead Pianist—St. Charles 2004.
She
invites brides seeking recommendations for Chicago vendors to
contact her anytime at 630-830-2345 or klnpiano@aol.com
or visit her website.
Her personal recommendations are provided as complimentary service
for those seeking only the best that Chicago has to offer for a
special wedding.
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