Email
Print
FeedAisle Style . Planning
Register for gifts that say spring.
(page 2 of 3)
The Bandwagon
Make sure you pick the right entertainment. Here’s how.
Nothing sets the tone of a reception like the band or DJ. You can spot the pros. Most have websites with video. Many hold showcases. And the best DJs use only music equipment (no CDs or vinyl). Here are a few ways to find the right band.
Brandywine Valley Talent in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, hosts monthly showcases so you can hear the songs and meet the leaders of the bands it represents. BVT president Kurt Titchenell books 400 events a year, including 100 gigs for his own award-winning band, Jellyroll.
“It’s important to ask how many weddings the band performs each year and where,” says Titchenell. “A band that performs at the Hotel du Pont, for instance, gains credibility.”
Most reception sites maintain a list of preferred vendors who are familiar with the property and its procedures. “Preferred vendor lists can be helpful,” says Ellen Lebowitz, leader of local favorites Lavender. “But I encourage people to do their own research.
Look at the band’s song list to see if it plays the music you want to hear, Lebowitz says. Club bands may not have experience with bridal party introductions, reception timelines and announcements. You’ll want a band that’s experienced, flexible and personable.
When shopping for a DJ, ask for five recent referrals, suggests Delaware Disc Jockeys owner Craig Saltiel. On his website, a bride can select songs and enter a timeline for the reception.
“That way there are no mistakes,” says Saltiel. “The bride can then print that timeline and give it to the banquet manager and photographer so they’re all, literally, on the same page.” —Susan Oates
Page 3: Plan to Have Fun | Avoid the stress. Plenty of people want to help.
