What Tone Does Your Ceremony Music Set?
Alaska has such breathtaking landscapes that just about any sort of ceremony can seem grand and remarkable. Small groups, duos, and individual musicians will be your best bet for ceremony music. Why? The contrast between the music of the small group will emphasize the large scale of the landscape and enhance your day. And (if you are to marry indoors), a larger group will likely be too loud for your hall or church.If you are planning a formal wedding, look to formal music. Pieces featuring a violin will likely suit bright spring weddings, while the darker tones of viola or cello might better suit a fall or winter affair. If you have your heart set on a particular piece, however, don't let the season stop you. Favored year-round classical composers include Vivaldi, Mozart, Bach and Pachebel.
Stuck for ideas? Put your wedding musicians to work and ask for their advice! Their experience and musical training has led them to hear plenty of beautiful wedding music over the years, and they may have the perfect song for your ceremony.
You might also consider Celtic or folk music for an Alaska wedding. Outdoor weddings, in particular, are well-suited by this versatile genre of music, which can be both lovely and lively backing as the events of your day unfold. Fiddlers, harpists and even bagpipe players can be found throughout the state to give your fairytale wedding the soundtrack it deserves.
In parts of the state where the weather is extremely cold, it can be hard to find willing musicians of classical or acoustic variety. This is due to the frigid temperatures, which can damage instruments made of wood. If your heart is set on an outdoor setting with music at a colder time of year, you may consider brass quartets or quintets, who are able to play their instruments in near to freezing temperatures. The rich, mingling timbres may add a special warm touch to Christmastime wedding.
Etiquette Tip: If it's wintertime and you want them to play outside, be prepared to tip your musicians quite well as a matter of courtesy.
If you choose to go with recorded music for your reception, keep one thing in mind: recorded music has a set length. The reason live musicians are so great for ceremonies is because they can stop and start on a dime. With prerecorded music, you will either want to carefully time your walk down the aisle, or simply have a friend or wedding helper with their hand on the volume knob, ready to stop and start the music as appropriate.
What's the Right Musical Genre for My Reception?
Again, choosing the right music is all about the theme, location, or setting of your reception. The formalness of your event is also a consideration -- are your guests waltzers and ball room dancers? If so, a professional band, small orchestra or iPod might be your best bet.More casual receptions often feature live music. If you opt for a live band, make sure you listen to them play at least once before your reception, and be sure to ask for references from at least two satisfied clients. Even if you do go for a live band, it's not a bad idea to have some back-up CDs or an mp3 player along, loaded with some great songs in the spirit of your wedding.
Alaska Wedding Musicians
The "Land of the Midnight Sun" draws many interesting people to live amidst its grandeur, and plenty of fine musicians have found their way north. You will have an easy time finding musicians in larger cities such as Anchorage or Juneau, but even less populated parts of the state are home to great players.Lia Zito offers Celtic and classical tunes for weddings around the Anchorage area. Her styles range from lively jigs to elegant melodies. Options for solo or accompanied playing offers a range of pricing from which to choose.
Add elegance to any wedding setting with Harp Playing by Skookums, another Anchorage-based outfit that has plenty of experience providing memorable musical ambiance. Check out their Frequently Asked Questions for lots of detailed information concerning experience, setup and more.
In the Juneau area, look to Wedding DJ K-Magic for a professional setup to fit any local venue. Wedding packages of 2-5 hours are available with professional setup, wireless microphones, 150,000+ song list and more.
Regardless of the style you choose for your reception and ceremony music, make certain that you have a signed contract from your DJ or musicians at least a month in advance of your wedding, if possible. A small deposit is often required to secure performers' services, but is usually no more than 20-25% of the total cost.