Playback Melbourne

Playback Melbourne

It completely depends on what kind of tone you want to set for your ceremony. We have seen brides walk down the aisle to classic choices such as "Ave Maria", "Thinking out loud" (Ed Sheeran), "Hanging by a moment" (Boyce Avenue version), "Shallow" (Lady Gaga), "Perfect" (Ed Sheeran), "All of Me" (John Legend) and countless more - but then again we have also seen some more quirky and upbeat alternatives which are unique to the couple (the most notable being "Rhythm is a Dancer" by Snap!)

"It's never too late to change your mind" by Kylie Minogue, however, is a bad choice. Just want to point that out.

For the Reception entrance, upbeat and fun is key. You might want each member/pair in the bridal party to have their own song which best suits their personalities or reflects a personal attribute of theirs, or have one song that sums you up as a couple or as a group of friends.

Some examples we've seen are:

• "Raise Your Glass" by P!nk
• "Roar" by Katy Perry
• "All Night Long" by Lionel Richie
• "Shut up and Dance" by Walk the Moon
• "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees
• "24K Magic" by Bruno Mars

You might want to choose something dancey without a lot of lyrics for the entrance as it is not only easier for the MC to talk over, but also it means that you don't have to worry about the timing of the entry coinciding with a particular line in the song.

Some examples are:

• "Soul Makossa" - Yolanda be Cool
• "Peanut butter Jelly" - Galantis
• "Be Faithful" - Fatman Scoop
• "D.A.N.C.E" - Justice
• "Do Your Thing" - Basement Jaxx
• "Romeo" - Basement Jaxx
• "Bills" - Lunchmoney Lewis

At the end of the day - you'll know it when you hear it!!

Playback Melbourne

There's no doubt that a band brings a sense of Theatre to the evening - and as others have commented here, it adds a "Wow" Factor to the overall event. You also get more versatility with a band - often you will find that they can break off into an Acoustic duo for your ceremony / canapes and then provide a full lineup for the reception - often as part of a single package. That being said, you should always consider your audience and the theme or feel that you want to achieve. If you want people to get up and dance the night away while feeling truly involved with the entertainment, then I would always recommend a band - plus the majority will provide a very strong MC service.

Then there's the DJ option. DJ's can be excellent entertainers and (if you get the right one) can deliver a truly memorable experience for you and your guests. They may not have the same visual impact as a band, but that doesn't mean they can't be as engaging as a band. A DJ would most likely not be able to deliver on the Acoustic duo side, the money you save by not having a band could allow you to hire a separate acoustic act for the quieter part of the afternoon/evening. Most wedding DJs will provide MC services as well.

At the end of the day, it's not for anyone to tell you which way to go or which is best - it's a gut feel you get when you find the right one. You could sit in front of the best wedding band in the world and not "feel it" purely because of the dynamic in the room. The best advice I can give you is to go out and view both options. Ask around, get referrals, read reviews, and most importantly - go and meet the performers! After all - you have to want them to be at your wedding!!