Firstly, decide what sort of vibe you would like for your wedding reception. Do you want laid-back and informal or a formal affair with elegant attire and under no circumstances dancing on the tables!

In most cases a standard wedding band should be able to cater for all tastes with a repertoire spanning the last few decades and the usual favorites featured at every party. This type of band may also cater for special requests on the night which can go down very well with your guests.

For something a bit more classy and sophisticated, you could perhaps opt for a string quartet or jazz band. However, it may be worth taking into consideration the fact that the duration of the reception will be a good few hours. This type of music may not be so appealing after a while or for those wanting to do a spot of dancing and not the slow kind!

Once you have shopped around and selected a few wedding bands, request a demo of their material to give you an idea of how they sound. Preferably the demo will be taken live from a wedding they have recently played at.

Another excellent possibly is to ask the band in question when they are next playing, then go to the event for a sneaky preview of their playing abilities. Simply ask the wedding couple if you can stay for a few minutes to check out the band. This will give you an idea of how the crowd respond to the band and the atmosphere they create.

Make sure your chosen band are adaptable enough to add in a few songs of your choice. This will obviously include the first dance (some bands just play from a CD) and perhaps a second dance as well as a few other popular wedding reception songs.

Most professional, well established bands will have no problem in adapting to your needs and will want to have a few consultations with you to make sure everything is to your liking.

Remember this is your day but what makes it even more fantastic and special is if your guests are really enjoying themselves. There is no better feeling than when you have planned a great party for everyone to enjoy and share with you in your special moments.

Getting the right band to suit your needs is instrumental in how your wedding reception will pan out. Just give yourself plenty of time for the search and check all credentials. If you can get a chance to see the band play live then great but a demo of their work will be fine also. Don’t leave anything to chance and secure your wedding reception music that will please both the young and old.

There are so many fantastic songs both from the old archives and new tunes popping up every day. So you have the dulcet tones of Elvis competing with the sassy Shania Twain and not forgetting the romantic tear jerking Elton John tunes or the classic Beatles. Where do you start?

Many people say they just “knew” the song when they heard it, it may not have been an obvious choice but one which just touched them. If you are not so lucky and a song doesn’t come knocking at your door, it may help to narrow down your field of choice by deciding on a type and tempo of music you would like to dance to.

Do you want to have a slow, romantic dance, or would you rather a more upbeat, the pressure is off type of dance? Choose something that you would both feel comfortable with all eyes watching. You don’t want to feel self conscious when you are supposed to be having the time of your life.

Yes, it is your dance and your moment but you can’t hide from the fact that you will have an audience. So if you choose something that suits your personalities and a song you can get lost in the moment with, you will enjoy your first dance all the more.

Perhaps you have a song which you both love and has some significance to you. Remember that the song doesn’t have to match the day perfectly. The lyrics of the song don’t by law have to depict and spell out your love for each other. It is simply music for you to enjoy your first moments as a married couple that are special and memorable.

Maybe you are having two songs for your first dance. Remember to let the band know well in advance of your first dance wedding songs. They will require time to get the music just right and you may need time to prepare yourselves and have a little dance practise. It may seem a little silly to have a rehearsal but you won’t regret it when you are giving a Ginger and Rogers performance around the dance hall on your fabulous day.

Choose a song which touches your heart and that you would be proud to tell others about in years to come. The first dance is a special time for the bride and groom and with that added magic that music always brings, will set the scene perfectly.