If you are thinking of using a marquee, here are some things to consider when you planning your day…

Power
It is very important to know that your power supply will be adequate for everything that you need on your wedding day. There are often heating, lighting, catering and entertainment power requirements. This is likely to require a lot of AC power, and one or two power points feeding extension cables may not be able to cope! If the added power requirements on any socket exceeds 13Amps, or if there are any power spikes – fuses will blow or worse! Also, many extension cables can only operate at low currents – especially when still coiled up! Dangerous overheating of extension cables and fusebox fires are some of the possible nightmares waiting to happen. To understand all of this requires knowledge of the main electrical fusebox and fuse ratings, the ring main layout and state and age of the wiring, along with load spreading, spike allowance or prevention, equipment current loadings and more! You may need a specific generator to cope if you are far from a power source or if your power requirements exceed the supply.  I would suggest that you discuss the power requirements with all parties involved and talk to a qualified electrician for guidance.

I performed recently in a marquee and 10 minutes before everything was about to start all power was lost due to overloading, and I have to say this was an awful experience for everyone involved.

Layout
When you first plan your table layout try to think about the evening celebrations. Do you need a dance floor laid out or can it be placed after the tables have been moved. If it is the latter then you would need to calculate the time needed and add it to your schedule.

Also, think about where your musicians will perform. The correct amount of space to set-up is a must – It’s rather difficult for a 5 piece band to perform well in a small corner, so it’s best to ask them how much space they would like, and how much space they need. This way you can work out the best balance for your evening.  Do think about where to place your entertainment. You should try to make sure that the performing area is as flat and as hard as possible – large speakers balancing on high stands on uneven floors = trouble. You will also want to make sure that everyone is able to see the entertainment, otherwise you might as well use a recording and that’s not what live entertainment is about. – We want to engage the audience so we can all have a fabulous time!

Noise
Whether you are planning to have your wedding reception at a private residence or on a local village green – your noise will carry! If you think your entertainment is going to be quite loud it would be wise to notify the neighbours or perhaps invite them to join you. If you are using hotel grounds, they will be able to tell you about any volume restrictions and cut off times. If you don’t do this you could find that your 10pm band can only play until 11pm, or that your entertainment brings the wrong PA system, rehearses the wrong genres or simply cannot perform hard rock under 100 decibels.

Safety and Insurance
Is your marquee totally waterproof?
Does your marquee meet current fire regulations?
Is your marquee insured?
What is the marquee owners policy on accidental damage?
Do all 3rd parties carry adequate public liability insurance?

Will your marquee be setup safely and will third parties ensure they take the necessary precautions to maintain this safety? (Not trailing loose cables across public areas, not overloading power sockets, restricting access to dangerous areas/equipment, considering dangers to children etc)

In the end you want to have as little stress on your wedding day as possible, and so I hope this helps with your planning a safe and successful event in the great outdoors!

Disclaimer: These are just a few ideas for you to consider in the planning of your day. This list is in no way exhaustive nor complete and Laura will not be held responsible for any wedding nightmares!

Send in the Clowns by Stephen Sondheim
A beautiful but definately a sad song.

Every Breath You Take by the Police
Lovely song but it is about a stalker… need I say more?

My Heart Will Go On performed by Celine Dion
This is another beautiful song, but is about living after someone you love died. And don’t forget that the boat sank!

I Will Always Love You performed by Whitney Houston
Perfect right? Well here are some lyrics;  “If I should stay…I would only be in your way…so I’ll go…bittersweet memories…that is all I’m taking with me…so good-bye…we both know I’m not what you need”!

Beauty and the Beast performed by Celine Dion/Peabo Bryson
Do you want to call your new husband a beast?

One of the main things that you should so before deciding on your wedding music is to listen to the lyrics,  some songs sound amazing but may not be appropriate.

Choose carefully…

When walking down the aisle you want something that is going to make everyone start crying!!! This was my main agenda when I got married… Songs that are great for this are;

Amazed as performed by Lonestar
To Make You Feel My Love as performed by Adele
Colour of My Love as performed by Celine Dion
I’ll Always Love You as performed by Whitney Huston
Just Like Heaven as performed by Katie Melua
Drift Away sung as performed Laura Napier-Burrows
Lovers as performed by Laura Napier-Burrows

Of course when you are dancing that first dance you want everyone to feel “Ahhhh” and the songs below are great for this;

Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing
At Last
To Make You Feel My Love
No Ordinary Love
All The Way
At Last
Falling Into You

Have fun choosing!

It’s always a good idea to have the right music playing in the right place at the right time. With the right selection, music can help to create the magic and make your day complete. With the wrong selection you might find yourself walking down the aisle to thrash metal violin or shouting over the drum solo during the wedding breakfast.

Perhaps you would prefer something special for your walk down the aisle. Maybe a beautiful song or a soft acoustic instrumental piece would be a nice choice. Either way both the music and the performer should be special to you. When recieving your guests, having drinks and during the wedding breakfast, you might want something that is well balanced so that it fills the silences yet doesn’t spoil the conversation. If you plan to see the evening out in style then decide if your guests are the kind that will will want to dance or would prefer to watch a more cabaret style performance. Either way try to book the correct type of band with a professional sound system (and lighting?) that will cater for your venue.

Get It In Writing

It is very important that you have everything in writing and signed by both parties. This way both hirer and the artist/band should understand what is being agreed. Also make sure that every e-mail is kept and phone call written down so that you can remember how things are developing.

Entertainment  Schedule

For everybody’s peace of mind put together a clear schedule of timings so that the performer knows when and where you will be needing them to perform. Careful preparation means that everyone is happy knowing what is happening and when, who is in charge, who will be giving cues and what happens if… This is especially at important moments like walking down the aisle or for the first dance!

VIPC

This stands for Very Important Person of Contact. On your big day, why not let the entertainment deal with a trusted member of the wedding party instead of worrying you! Nothing worse than having to stop getting yourself ready to go and show the performers where to set-up! Discuss everything with your VIPC and give the entertainment their mobile number so that arrangements and communication are problem free on the day.

Your Special Song and Music For You

What kind of songs would you like on your day? Do you love jazz standards or Frank Sinatra perhaps? Do you want medium tempo songs or upbeat swing? Maybe you are happy with the musicians choice, but if there is a playlist you could choose some of your favourites.

For your service or first dance, don’t be afraid to ask for a special song(s) that you might want that isn’t on the playlist. If  this is an option, give the musician plenty of  time to find the song and learn it. The day before doesn’t win brownie points!

The Performers Fee

Sometimes a quote for entertainment might be higher than expected, but do please remember what goes into preparation and the performance. Musicans will very often rehearse for hours prior to each performance. They will prepare music, equipment, clothes and make-up. Travel can be upto 5 hours each way followed by loading/unloading at each end, often arriving 2 hours before their performance to set-up and soundcheck. Also, they need to cover travel costs, food and drink and a variety of other expenses. Don’t forget to pay them! This is often done on the day but can easily be forgotton, which can be embarrasing for everyone!

Agree the Arrival Time

If you want the musicians to setup and soundcheck before your guests arrive you will need to talk with the venue so that they are aware that people will be arriving early. Whatever you do don’t allow them to turn up 20 minutes before! You will become increadibly stressed out! This is something that is a good idea to discuss on when you book. Perhaps you could ask for the arrival/setup time to be written on the contract.

Venue Restrictions

If the venue has certain sound restrictions then both you and the musicians need to know. The sound level is the big one.  It’s almost impossible for a drummer to play heavy rock music quietly. You don’t want the neighbours to moan, the music to cut-out or the delicate 16th century chandeliers to explode! Also, making sure that there is enough 13 Amp AC sockets is useful. If its a big band or has a big PA system make sure that the venues electric system can cope.

Outfit

The bride looks beautiful, the groom looks handsome and everyone else looks amazing… then in walks the band… in jeans and grubby t-shirts!!! No, no, no! You need to make sure that the entertainment is going to look the part too,  so have a discussion with them in advance and ask what they normally wear. If it is jeans then this will give them time to put together something a little nicer! Another thought – you wouldn’t want the singer to up-stage you by wearing the same colour dress would you?

Food for Thought

I know that the Wedding Breakfast is not cheap, but do spare a thought for your musicains. Help them stay on top form and arrange for some food or light snacks and soft drinks and they will be entertaining with a smile.