Music at Wedding Breakfast... Your thoughts ..?

I think this is a WANT rather then a NEED in the scheme of wedding planning.

If you can afford it and want it then have it, but if you cant afford it, I doubt you would miss it if you didn't have it.

IPod playing background music will do the same job.

Agree with Funky. I also think I'd feel rude talking over live musicians, but wouldn't have that problem with the same music being plate through a laptop or iPod.

We could have had the pianist that is playing at our ceremony continue to play background music during our meal but think as BBB does that alot of people feel they can't chat over live music so we've opted for cd/ipod music in the background instead.

L x

We are having a quartet for ceremony and drinks reception but then just an iPod for during the meal. I don't think if my guest list keeps expanding we will fit all the wedding guests in the room let alone a performer or two!

We had a harpist during the reception drinks and a pianist during the ceremony and wedding breakfast. It was lovely and no one felt they couldn't talk.

We've booked a pianist and on my wedding website folk can request music or tracks that are meaningful to them and the pianist will cover as much of it as she can. I like the idea of the guests being involved in the day in that way.

I went to a wedding and during the meal they had michael buble type music, it was only at the end I realised it was a man in the corner singing!! It was wasted one me, I just thought it was a CD!

"michael buble type music, it was only at the end I realised it was a man in the corner singing"

Er --that was Michael buble ?

Whenever I see live music at this stage they only play music that is low key and you can still talk and eat.

I like the idea of requests

Personally I think live music might be a bit wasted during the wedding breakfast as everyone is chatting away and tucking in to their meals, so not so focussed on music.

I've stolen a fab idea that I saw in an OM's wedding report in the early stages of my planning - we're having Vitamin String Quartet songs played through the speakers as our wedding breakfast background music. It's a nod to the string quartet I wanted but now aren't having, but all VSQ's music is contemporary. The report I saw said it was fun watching everyone trying to work out which song it was and it's so true, you know the song but it takes a while to work out what it is. And if no-one pays attention to the music, I won't feel like it's a waste cos it only cost us a few albums which we can listen to again

We had a pianist but to be honest it was a bit of a waste. Not a lot of people realised there was even anyone playing live. In retrospect I would just have used CDs as we originally planned, and saved the money.

We had CDs that my H made and they played through the ceiling speakers at the venue. Not sure I even noticed what songs were playing! Don;t think it put anyone off talking though

I was thinking about having live music, but I then thought it would be too expensive. I am going for background music which has been recommended as easiest. I agree with others that people may feel they can't talk over it.

I've just hired the DJ to play background music through the meal too.

Originally it was just an Ipod, not sure how that changed into the DJ doing it but its booked now so...

I often sing during the wedding breakfast.

It's a lot to do with volume. If the level of live music during a meal is just below the volume of people's voices - which it should be - you won't be so much 'talking over' it as the level will naturally sit under your voices anyway. The idea is that it complements people talking rather than battles with it, and adds to the atmosphere so the room isn't just filled with the sound of people talking. Similarly people won't feel bad for talking at the same time as your live music as long as the levels are right, and your musicians certainly won't be offended that you aren't all silently listening.

Hope this helps

James

Yes that is exactly what we are planning , Our welcome drinks are being served in the gardens but the venue say they think it will be no problem to move the pianist into the gazebo while we are having a few photos done after the ceremony. I like the idea of people making requests though so might go with that.

Yes , I was planning on having Live music for the drinks / canape reception so i think i might opt for that , then have a cd for wedding breakfast instead as this seems like the perfect compromise

Thanks for all your help girls