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Make Sure to Check your References, Shop Carefully for Music

Imagine a beautiful bride, all dressed in white, walking down the aisle without music. The eerie silence would be deafening. When choosing music for your wedding day, don't let every bride's worst nightmare become your reality - take the time and necessary precautions to avoid wedding day music disasters.

Ask friends, relatives and the local musicians union for recommendations and check references. You can call the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Affairs to find out if there have been any complaints about the music providers you are considering. To inquire about disc jockeys (DJs), you also can call the American Disc Jockey Association.

You'll need music for the ceremony as well as the reception, so consider the following when determining what kind of music will be appropriate:

Location - Churches or synagogues may have certain rules and regulations about what kind of music is acceptable. Be sure to ask first, to avoid any costly alternatives.

Performers - Chances are, you'll want different performers for the reception than you will for the ceremony. You may want a string quartet, vocalist or flutist for the ceremony, but a DJ for the reception - spinning your favorite tunes. Additional performers to consider: comedian, bagpipe players, dancers.

Size - Keep in mind the size of the ceremony and location. While a string quartet might be the perfect background for an intimate ceremony, a larger hall will not share the same acoustics.

Style - Is the wedding formal or informal? Contemporary or traditional? A full-piece orchestra would seem a bit lavish for an informal reception with a casual style. Aim for music that suits the style or theme of the wedding.

Taste - Pleasing every guest is next to impossible, however, choosing music that fits your guests' tastes will make for a lively, more memorable wedding. As for the reception, determine whether the crowd will be older or younger, and what you expect of them. If your goal is to have a full dance floor, choose music that will make them want to dance.

Once you've decided on music, it's time to get the perfect wedding signed, sealed and delivered - with a contract. Be sure to include the following items:

Agreed-upon price, amount of deposit, additional charges (travel, early setup, cocktail hour) and overtime rates

Date, number of hours they'll be playing music and location · Number of breaks, what kind of refreshments will be available to them and how they'll fill in the breaks (CDs, tapes, other entertainment).