DAN'S PAPERS, September 26, 2008 Page 47 www.danshamptons.com
On the Edge: Music to Live (the Rest of Your Life) By ... By Victoria L. Cooper Music makes the moment right, and in this issue of Dan’s Papers that makes a nod toward nuptials, it seemed fitting to look at wedding music. At weddings, having a good band or DJ can literally make or break the reception. You don’t want to hear guests say, “The band was so loud I couldn’t hear anyone,” or “I didn’t recognize any of the music that DJ played. Am I old?” The ideal music-maker should play a variety of tunes that have your guests on the dance floor, shouting “Encore!”
There are probably as many musical options around as there are fish in the sea, but when you and your partner-to-be come together and select the soundtrack of your lives, there’s nothing like “your song.” First things first: You must decide if you want a DJ or a band. There are benefits to both — a DJ may be more cost-effective, while a band offers that magical, live dynamic. There are also cons to both — the DJ could get a little too creative with his remix of “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley, and the band could have an off-night and morph into the Montauk version of Adam Sandler in “The Wedding Singer.” It’s critical to do your homework. Your research adventure will most likely start off in the experiential, word-of-mouth phase — “What’s the name of the band that played at Tyler’s wedding?” or via a recommendation list by your wedding planner du jour. If neither of these options suffices, you can turn to Google. There are countless websites on which you can listen to the music; some artists even have videos of past performances to help guide your big decision. If you’re planning to have a traditional wedding (rehearsal dinner, religious ceremony, big reception, etc.), you’ve got a lot of playlist-planning ahead of you. There are songs for the prelude, procession, bride entrance, interlude, recession, postlude, bridal party entrance to reception, first dance, mother/son dance, father/daughter dance, cake-cutting and last dance. So whether it’s the rhythm and melody of the unity candle lighting or the pitch of the justsmeared-on-my-nose cake cut, know your options. Music is a great way to reveal to guests you and your partner’s unique love story. My newly married sister, Catherine Alexander, chose two songs: “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison and “Truly” by Lionel Richie. She explained, “My husband, Jason Alexander, is a yacht captain, and I am an elementary school teacher. These songs meant something special to both of us. ‘Into the Mystic’ was about our mystical love and ‘Truly’ was about our commitment.” These songs were performed by one of the Tri-State area’s most sought-after wedding bands, The Times Square Orchestra. They are a nine-piece orchestra complete with three-piece horn section, full percussion and seven lead vocalists that cover
all styles of music. Musical variety at a wedding can range anywhere from classical to classic rock, and some shindigs even pump the electronic tunes. Here’s a list of some of the fall’s most popular wedding songs, in no particular order. For coming down the aisle: “Canon in D” — Pachelbel “The Four Seasons” — Handel “Romeo and Juliet Love Theme” — Tchaikovsky For the first dance:
“Unforgettable” — Nat King Cole “The Way You Look Tonight” — Frank Sinatra “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” — Aerosmith “You’re My First, My Last, My Everything” — Barry White For the reception: “White Wedding” — Billy Idol “September” — Earth, Wind and Fire “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” — Rod Stewart “Summer Wind” — Frank Sinatra “At Last” — Etta James