Your wedding entertainment will play a vital role on your big day—and it’s actually more than just playing music to fill the dance floor. In fact, your wedding entertainment has many jobs to do, some of which you’ll see, others that are more under-the-radar. That’s why hiring a well-reviewed professional is totally worth it (meaning, creating a Spotify playlist, plugging your iPhone into some speakers, and calling it a day really won’t cut it).
Here are the things you probably didn’t know your wedding entertainment can do—aside from playing major tuneage, that is.
Helps enforce the day-of timeline
While your wedding planner and/or venue will likely take the lead on creating your wedding-day timeline, experienced wedding entertainers will certainly contribute, since they know how long certain parts of the reception will take. What’s more, your wedding entertainment is responsible for executing and enforcing the timeline during your reception, making announcements to ensure that events occur on time and if there are any hold-ups, adjusting accordingly.
Provides sound equipment
Having high-quality, working sound equipment is an absolute must—and your wedding entertainment will have that all covered. Without microphones, speakers, and the like, your guests won’t be able to hear your first introduction as a married couple, the lyrics to your first-dance song, your best man's toast, the announcement that dinner is being served, or that the last dance is being played.
Supply lighting
Professional lighting is a must for that perfect wedding photo. Experienced wedding entertainers will provide lighting so every moment is picture perfect.
Makes sure all equipment is working
There are few things more annoying during a wedding reception than music that’s too loud, too soft, or muffled, or worst-case scenario, dead air due to malfunctioning equipment. Not only do experienced wedding entertainers utilize top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art equipment, they also do sound checks at your venue well before the reception begins to ensure that everything is working properly so there won’t be any awkward silences.
Sets the mood
Sure, you could simplify wedding entertainment's role by saying they “play the music.” But it’s really about more than just selecting and playing songs. Wedding entertainers sets the tone for your reception by playing the right songs at the right times, and reading the crowd accordingly. If you want your party to be a total rager, they’ll know the right tunes to put guests in a dancing mood. Alternatively, if your goal is a reception with an old-school romantic feel, your entertainer will know how to create that vintage vibe.
Helps you choose songs
Your wedding entertainment can be a great source of advice if you’re struggling to pick songs for any of your special dances. An experienced band has seen first-hand which songs work and which don’t, and is up-to-date on the newest tunes. That’s why it’s important to meet with your wedding entertainment a few months before your wedding to make your song selects and do-not-play list. Of course, your wedding entertainer will have an extensive library of songs you (or your guests!) can request, but the key is knowing if they’re appropriate and when to play ‘em.
Serves as emcee
Emcee may be the most important role your wedding entertainment can play. Think of your wedding entertainer as the host, cruise director, and point person for the evening, making announcements and ensuring that your guests are aware of what’s going on and what’s next. Having your wedding entertainer serve as emcee is far more authoritative and professional than you trying to shout “Time for dinner!” over the blasting music. Your guests are more likely to follow directions from experienced wedding entertainer and will look to your entertainer (instead of you or your new spouse) for information, so your big day will proceed smoothly and you can focus on enjoying every minute!
Covers up any hiccups
Things may go wrong on your wedding day, but fortunately, your wedding entertainers are pros at getting things back on track. Let’s say dinner is running slightly behind schedule. Your wedding entertainment can play an extra few songs so that guests are too busy dancing to care that the food’s not ready. Or maybe your dad is in the restroom when he’s supposed to be giving his toast. Your wedding entertainment can cover until he’s available. Your guests won’t notice any potentially-awkward mishaps when you’ve got pro wedding entertainment at the helm.