Weddingbee Blog

After nailing down our venue last spring, we knew we needed to really have a plan for our ceremony music, since amplified music isn’t allowed outside at the ceremony (but we do get a small mic and speaker so people can hear our vows).

I did some initial research into acoustic bands, but quickly realized they were just out of our budget, considering we only needed someone to play for about 10-15 minutes before the ceremony, for our processional and the recessional. So, we’d only need them for about half an hour—max. I then started researching acoustic guitarists, but the cost was still going to be about $400, which just seemed like a lot to me. However, my MOH/Sister volunteered her long-time boyfriend, who is an amazing guitar player, to play for us!

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For some free headphones that my company makes (and that I get a 70% discount on), he’ll take care of all our acoustic music needs for the ceremony, as well as DJ (in other words, run our computer playlists with a backup MP3 player) for us during the reception! Score! Another friendor to the budget rescue!

He’s been practicing for months, and I just got samples of the two most important songs, the processional song that our wedding party will walk down the aisle to, and the song that I’ll walk down the aisle to.

I have a very deep love for Ingrid Michaelson, just like Mrs. Powder Puff, so our parents and wedding party will be walking to an acoustic version of “Keep Breathing”.

Next, I will be walking down the aisle to one of my all time favorite songs, “Satellite” by Dave Matthews Band (the first 32 seconds of the song, repeated a couple times). Once he adjusts the speed, it will transition very nicely from “Keep Breathing”.

(these last two videos were taken by our guitarist)

I’m still not sure what song we’ll pick for the recessional, but I want something upbeat and happy, maybe like Weezer’s Island In The Sun (although I might be tempted to sing the “Hip Hip” parts as we walk down the aisle, married!). I can’t really find a good acoustic version of the Weezer song, so this was the best I could find (after the dude talks for 5 seconds), but our friend’s version will be much better.

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After that, all that’s left is to figure out what to have him play while everyone is getting seated before the ceremony. I’m thinking about just leaving it up to him to play whatever… as long as it goes with the mood, and will transition into our processional songs without a hitch, I’ll be happy!

Will you be having any live music at your wedding? If you only needed musicians for a very short period of time, were you able to get a discounted price?