For wedding music considerations you may not have thought of, see our January 2005 Article entitled "Considering Music:  DJ vs. Live Music" (below)  that we wrote for the Outer Banks Wedding Guild website. 

Our style of music is best suited for a cocktail hour, reception, rehearsal dinner or special event in almost any location.  We play a variety of music from standards to classic pop/rock with acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, bass, dobro (and vocals, of course), perfect for a dinner/cocktail event or in between your ceremony and DJ/dance band.

To get an idea of what we do, see our song list.
 

We are now in our Spring season of performances, wedding celebrations and special events and have released our first collection of original songs called "Home To Me" (along with fresh covers of some old favorites) last June, available at http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.efolkmusic.org/, outer banks music stores,  http://www.soundsiderecords.com/ and Ocracoke Island shops.
 

Soundside Studios has released a compilation CD entitled "Ocrafolk Live Sampler II" (a collection of live performances at the Ocrafolk Opry) and our original song "Scorpio" is included.  How exciting for us!  And a Sampler III is in the works to be released in the 2006 summer season with a track by COYOTE included in it!

We invite you to come out and see us live; our appearance schedule is posted on our website PERFORMANCE page.  We perform regularly with Martin Garrish of Ocracoke, and Lou is playing slide guitar with the Ocracoke Rockers.  (COYOTE’s performance calendar).

As principal performers in the Ocrafolk Opry, we are preparing to take the show on the road with show producer and host Molasses Creek, also from Ocracoke Island!

Please let us know how you would like to be contacted in response to your inquiry or to receive a demo CD by mail.

You may reach us by email or at (252) 256-2081 any time.

Happy Planning,
Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro

The Outer Banks Wedding
CONSIDERING  MUSIC  .  .  .
LIVE  MUSIC  vs.  DISC  JOCKEY
 

 Music has the power to evoke a desired emotion or to create an atmosphere for a wedding or special event.  Music can transform your wedding into a magical celebration; whether romantic, thematic and/or festive.  There are many places to include background, special or dance music:  the ceremony, cocktail hour(s), reception or pre-wedding/rehearsal dinner.  Music is a way to personalize your celebration and make it a truly memorable experience for you and your guests.

It is common to wait until final details are being arranged to consider music.  Unfortunately, this can mean vendor availability might become very limited.  You may need to book your musical group or disc jockey as much as a year or more in advance, so start early. 

Be creative and unlimited in your thinking about music.  From traditional to eclectic, it’s your day, so you can do what you want.  Consider having live musicians and a DJ to enjoy the best of both worlds.  The perfect wedding music recipe would include a classical musician/ensemble for the ceremony followed by a few hours of live music that would transition seamlessly to DJ dance music into the evening.

INSTRUMENTS   vs.  RECORDS

VIBE

Live music adds a touch of elegance, sophistication and personality.  Musicians can “feel” the room and make adjustments accordingly.  Music provided by a DJ has the potential to feel stiff in comparison to live music, but a DJ with good stage presence and emcee skills can set a mood and keep a party going.

VARIETY

A live musical group will have a signature sound by nature, but if they book for weddings and special events (as opposed to strictly concert settings) their song list can have a good variety.  DJs have a vast catalog to choose from and can tailor an evening of music based on a variety specific choices or, especially, theme.

BUDGET

Musician and DJ rates vary depending on:  the number of performers, hours booked, special equipment requests, location specifics, travel requirements, and other factors.  In general, live music may be more expensive than a DJ because there may be several players, extra time involved for setup and equipment requirements along with a tremendous amount of preparation and energy dedicated to each unique performance, including years of training and experience.  All of these factors affect the final price. 

Expect to pay an extra fee for musicians to learn a special song not already on their play list.

SPACE

Depending on the size of the band, a DJ may require less space in the room.

MASTER  OF  CEREMONIES

It is important to decide if you want an “emcee” for your event.  A bandleader or DJ can provide this function but it is important to decide how you want that role filled.  You may want the emcee to entirely orchestrate the celebration, announce just the key moments or make no announcements at all.  You may also want a microphone available for pre-arranged toasts. 

PERFECTION

Musicians play a song uniquely every time.  This gives you and your guests the pleasure and intimacy of a live performance, but may not exactly match the original version of a song.  Pre-recorded music is a “perfect” version of a song.  It is important to choose the experience you want to give to yourself and your guests.

TO  DANCE  OR  NOT  TO  DANCE

This is a very important decision to make.  Unless you hire a full dance band, a DJ is the way to go if you want to boogie down.  Consider your personal style, guest list and what kind of party you want to throw.

HAVE  YOUR  CAKE  & EAT  IT  TOO

You may want to consider live music for a cocktail hour or the first few hours of the reception, and then have a DJ for the rest of the celebration.

ANATOMY  OF  WEDDING MUSIC

CEREMONY

                Prelude –           guests “entertained” while being seated and waiting for the ceremony to begin

                                                (including any delays); 20 minutes

                Processional – wedding party enters; opportunity for drama, pageantry, style

                Interlude –        to accent key moments with a special song (vocal soloist, instrumental or both)

                                                during the ceremony or as background for an activity like lighting a candle

                Recessional – joyful and festive

                Postlude –        lively and spirited filler music; transition to party mode; 10 minutes

RECEPTION

                Cocktails – waiting for wedding party to arrive; usually ½-1 hour

                Entrance – wedding party and bride/groom arrive

                First Dance, Bride/Father, Groom/Mother dances

                Cake Cutting, Toasts, Readings and other activities

                Last Song

CEREMONY  MUSIC

Be sure to consult with your clergy regarding any possible musical restrictions, especially when having the ceremony in a church.  Ceremony music can range from traditional to wildly outrageous.  Select music that matches the style desired and the chosen setting. 

Most churches have an instrumentalist and/or soloist who may be hired to provide ceremony music.  You can also consider booking a guitarist, pianist, violinist, horn player, ensemble, band or DJ to provide traditional or non-traditional music for your ceremony, whether in a church or not.  Each possibility will have a unique repertoire, fee schedule and technical requirements to consider with regard to their contribution.

RECEPTION  MUSIC 

Most weddings include a celebration following the ceremony.  This can be an hour of cocktails or a full sit-down dinner reception.  The setting could be a private home or rented cottage, a local restaurant, a specialized party place or a public park.  Almost any location can include live or DJ music with the use of extension cords or battery-operated equipment.

MUSICAL  STYLE  &  ATMOSPHERE

Music can make or break an event, so it’s important to find the right musicians and/or DJ that can help create your dream setting.  When considering your music, describe what you want and consider some specific song selections with the prospective vendor.  If you want to dance the night away and hire a classical trio, you’ll be sorely disappointed.

Consider the venue in the decision for music.  The site can be inspiration for tone and it’s good to match the music with the location, especially if it’s thematic.

It’s important to reconcile your musical style preferences with your guest list.  Most wedding celebrations are attended by many different age groups, so it’s good to mix it up.  It’s nice when the music has a variety that will please Granny and the nieces/nephews. 

MUSICAL  SELECTIONS

Most musicians/DJs have a song list they can provide.  Imagine how these songs will fit into the setting you desire.  The atmosphere you want to create.  Ask for a demo or DVD so you have a clear idea of how they sound and imagine that in your music selection.  Be sure to talk about music that you don’t want at your once-in-a-lifetime event.  Most musicians can learn specific songs not on their list and can give advice as to how their instrumentation might work for these songs.  Look for enthusiasm about your event and if they get excited about how they can help make your plans come true.

SCHEDULE

Establish that they are available on the day of your event.  Be sure they are planning to arrive early to setup and flow with the specific logistics of the venue.  It takes time to handle inevitable last-minute situations (weather, room requirements, equipment setup) and you want your musicians/DJ to be flexible and willing to work it out.  You want them ready long before your guests begin arriving.

CONTRACTS 

A vendor should always provide a well-written, clear and detailed contract so all parties know what to expect so there is no confusion when the big day arrives.  The contract should include schedule, location and contact information, any additional equipment requirements, special attire requests,  break policy, itemization of fees and overtime rates, the names of the musicians/DJ who will be providing service, payment and cancellation/refund policies and any specific details to fully satisfy the contract and have a clear “meeting of the minds.”  All parties should have a signed copy of the agreement.

WEATHER  CONSIDERATIONS

The Outer Banks is notorious for its weather – both glorious and furious.  As the saying goes, “if you don’t like the weather now just wait a minute because it’ll change.”

Wind, rain, sand, salt, temperature and humidity are constant challenges here in our coastal paradise.  Any event planned for outdoors MUST include an acceptable indoor plan.  Any precipitation or wind can shut a musician/DJ down.  A tent overhead may not be enough as the wind blows salt, sand and water into every crevice of an instrument and electronic equipment.  A bowed instrument like a violin, for instance, has only minutes before the smallest trace of humidity renders the bow, and instrument, useless.

Most music providers set a time that is the latest they can wait to set up and stay on schedule.  Ultimately, each musician/DJ must be responsible for making the final decision for their and their gear’s safety.

AT  THE  END  OF  THE  DAY

You and your fiancé are planning a wedding event with loved ones who will witness and join in your celebration, so make it uniquely your own.  You can use the power of music to evoke the emotion and character of your love and your new life together.  Start planning early, hire seasoned professionals to handle the details and enjoy your day.     Congratulations and Best Wishes!