When it comes to your big day, every detail matters, including the music. Hiring a wedding singer can add a personal and romantic touch to your ceremony and reception. However, even if you’ve seen the movie ‘The Wedding Singer’, there are some important dos and don’ts to keep in mind to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
1. Do Your Research
Before hiring a wedding singer, take the time to research and listen to their music. Do they have any videos online or audio clips you can listen to? If they don’t have a dedicated website or social media channel get them to send through their demo. Make sure their style aligns with your vision for the wedding. Don’t hire someone without hearing them or seeing them perform first.
2. Communicate Your Vision To Your Wedding Singer
Clearly communicate your musical preferences and the atmosphere you want to create. Do provide a list of the kind of songs you love and those you don’t want to hear. Even if you’re not a music connesiour and are unsure of specific artist or songs names, your singer will be able to interpret even the simpliest of hints in regard to your musical preferences. But don’t assume the singer will know exactly what you want without guidance.
3. Plan Ahead
Most professional musicians are booked out months in advance so book your wedding singer as early as possible to secure your date. Do discuss the timeline of events with the singer to ensure they are available for key moments. Don’t wait until the last minute and risk not finding the right fit.
4. Consider the Venue
Do consider the acoustics of your venue and discuss any sound requirements with your singer. Certain venues or outdoor settings can be tricky to navigate in regard to production and your singer will appreciate any heads up you can provide in such cases. You may need wireless microphones for speeches or perhaps require the use of the performance area for certain formailities or games. Don’t overlook these aspects, as it can greatly impact the quality of the music and your wedding overall.
5. Be Clear About Expectations
Discuss important details such as dress code, breaks, and equipment setup in advance. Your guests may be well aprised of the dress code and special formalities from the wedding invitiation you sent out months ago, although your wedding singer may not. Do ensure both parties are clear on these expectations to avoid any misunderstandings. Don’t leave these details to chance.
6. Think About Logistics
Consider logistical aspects such as the singer’s arrival time, parking, and access to the performance area. Ensure that these details are communicated clearly to avoid any last-minute hiccups.
7. Be Prepared for Emergencies
Have a backup plan in case your wedding singer is unable to perform due to unforeseen circumstances. This could involve having a number or two of an alternate singer or even an entertainment agency that could provide some options in the event that your wedding singer falls ill. More often than not, as is the standard for most professional musicians, your wedding singer will have a network of contacts including a few highly skilled colleagues that would be able to save the day at short notice.
8. Be Mindful of Budget
Do discuss pricing and any additional fees upfront to avoid surprises later on. Your wedding singer should easily be able to give you an accurate quote if you provide them with main details, ie location, performance times, venue size etc. Don’t overspend on a singer and neglect other important aspects of your wedding.
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9. Trust Your Instincts
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut. Do listen to recommendations, read reviews and talk to your loved ones about your ideas, but ultimately choose a singer you feel comfortable with. Don’t ignore any red flags during the hiring process.
10. Provide Feedback
After the wedding, do provide feedback to your singer. Let them know what you loved about their performance and any areas for improvement. It’s easy to assume a great musician, or any working professional for that matter, is aware of their strengths and shortcomings but sometimes it isn’t the case. It could be the simpliest thing, perhaps obvious to those on the dancefloor, that may have gone unnoticed from those on the otherside of the microphone. Don’t skip this step, as it can help the singer grow and improve.
11. Show Appreciation For Your Wedding Musicians
After your wedding, consider sending a thank-you note or a small token of appreciation to your wedding singer. A lot of great local musicians, especially those who chose not to partake in the fame-game side of the industry, will go through years of performing fantastic gigs without the thanks they deserve. Not every great singer has been on Australian idol applauded by thousands of adoring fans nor has every guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer (you-name-it) been endlessly cheered night after night on tour with Jimmy Barnes or Taylor Swift. This simple gesture can go a long way in showing your gratitude for their contribution to your special day.
12. Enjoy the Moment
Above all, do relax and enjoy the music on your special day. It is possible to overload your wedding singer, or really anyone involved in your wedding with too much information or by micromanaging to the tiniest detail. If you’ve done a little of your own research and hired some professionals they’ll not only be able to help guide you through the entire wedding plan but also deal with those tiny details so you don’t have to. Don’t get too caught up in the nitty gritty and forget to savor the moment.
By following these dos and don’ts, you can ensure that your wedding singer adds the perfect soundtrack to your special day. With careful planning and communication, you can create a magical and memorable experience for you and your guests.
