Friday, September 26, 2008

Finding the Right Wedding Music in 'The Live Music Capitol of the World'

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending a wonderful performance by the Mark Ritchie Band; a country western band that plays mostly covers like Alan Jackson and George Strait. Although they do not only play at weddings, they do a wonderful job with announcements and getting the crowd involved; a necessity for any musician in this industry, be it a DJ or live.



Out of all the vendors that you choose for your wedding, your reception musicians are one of the most important. They alone have the ability to govern whether your reception is successful or boring, whether your guest will have a good time or whether they will leave early. So the question is, how do you pick the right one? Especially since there is SOOO many to choose from in Austin. Here are a few tips to lead you in the right direction.


First of all, let the type of person you are and the type of reception you are wanting govern what type of musician you use. I've seen it all; from the typical DJ and/or band to an accordion player that weaved in and out of dancers while expertly playing his instrument. Don't be afraid to use creativity. For example, a reggae musician for a tropical themed wedding would enhance the feel and create a memorable event for your guests. The good thing about Austin is that you can probably find whatever you can possibly dream.

Whether you are going with a wedding pro or something a little less traditional make sure you check them out before hand. Go to one of their gigs, see them perform at another wedding, make sure that they have excellent equipment, and very importantly, make sure that they are comfortable making announcements and getting the crowd involved. Your reception will depend on it.

One thing that I always tell my brides...your entertainment is not a place you want to save. Keeping these things in mind will head you in the right direction when choosing your reception music.

Musicians Pictured form top to bottom;
Justin from Complete Music
Mr. Fabulous
Stafford from Complete Music

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

A Bit About Bridal Extravagnzas


This Sunday was the Austin Wedding Guide Bridal Extravaganza and boy was it a wonderful event. Its a great way for brides to get a lot of information about every imaginable vendor in one building. With over 250 and exhibitors, as you can imagine, it can get a little overwhelming. Here's a couple of tips to help you get through the show in one piece and without going crazy.
First of all, try not to bring you fiancé. Lets face it, they really don't want to be there and they will complain most of the time. You as a bride can not accomplish all that is necessary when he's hurrying you to leave. If he does insist on going or you have no one else to go with, make sure that you give him tasks. Great responsibilities for the guys are researching cake bakers, caterers, and musicians. If he can take care of those, that will free you up to look at florals, wedding planners, and dresses.
Go to the show with an agenda. If you need a florist and a DJ, scope out where their booths are located and visit only those booths. If you look at everything, you may begin to regret your choices of vendors or sign a contract for a margarita machine that is not in your budget.
Print out address labels with your name, preferred form of contact, and wedding date. Many vendors will want this information; with labels you will avoid writing or saying it over and over again. Also, labels ensure that all of the information is correct and legible.
Lastly, bring a camera. With all the different vendors, its easy to forget the ones you really like. Take a picture of their booth and then you can pair up their brochure with their picture. Also, if you see a floral arrangement or cake design that you like, you can take a picture and send it to your florist or baker.
These shows are a really great way to save a little bit of money and get some really neat ideas. Most of the vendors will have show specials and, who knows, you might even win a vacation.