Like every aspect of the wedding, music is a truly personal facet in the chronology of the day. It should set the tone for each of the significant elements of the ceremony and wedding breakfast; it must be both evocative for the bride and groom and accessible for the guests.
There is no such thing as right or wrong when it comes to musical preference, but you may have been told how easy it is to find yourself compromising a little too heavily here. Entertainment is often sidelined by venue, attire, travel and so on, and many couples find themselves booking a band at the last minute, their choices limited by availability and an ever-diminishing budget. But let's not focus on how it can go wrong, when there are so many ways to get it right!
It is common to think in themes during the period of wedding planning. These could be based on colours (flowers, bridesmaids, table dressings), trends (such as the current penchant for eclectic crockery and chintzy details) or something a little less subtle but still personal (Star Trek meets Pride and Prejudice perhaps). Once a theme is settled on, it might seem that this element of the day is sorted, but don't be too quick to dismiss giving it further consideration when you are selecting the musical accompaniment to set the tone for your day.
Just as your colour palette may contain something quite bold with subtler infusions, your food palate will include full flavours and something for those with milder tastes. It may be helpful to consider your musical choices in much the same way. In the evening you might want to opt for zingy, vibrant and fun, in contrast with a more delicate experience during the signing of the register.
To help make this matter a little easier to digest, we have selected a musical medley of fine entertainment and present it in the form of Wed's 'Gastronomy of Groove'...
SEAFOOD PLATTER
Salty, miscellaneous and highly prized, nature's fruits of the sea can be yours for the evening in the form of sea shanty chic. Cornish folk singers bring legends of the past to life with nostalgic ease. Traditional tales that are tragic, comic, uplifting and sweetly melodic will convey a sense of Cornish heritage and infuse the mood with the riches of the coast. A sing-a-long is guaranteed; salty tears are optional. Try local folk groups such as Du Hag Owr (duhagowr.co.uk).
Suggested first dance: 'Little Eyes, I Love You.'
KEBAB
Naughty, hot and heavy, this late night option is often only considered by die-hard fans, it being an acquired taste... just like heavy metal. If you're worried that not all your guests will enjoy the raw kick of the full metal experience, there are softer varieties of the genre (not quite as tame as chips in a pitta bread, but somewhere in the middle). If you think metal is not for you, challenge your preconceptions and look online or watch live - you might find you like the taste. Metalheads searching for local bands that give more headbang for your buck, look no further than Cornwall Metal Society (cornwall-metal-society.moonfruit.com).
Suggested first dance: 'Sweet Child o' Mine.'
ENCHILADAS
If you fancy turning up the heat and sampling the full-bodied flavours of the Latin culture, try adding a little salsa to the mix. The smooth South American grooves of musical collectives, such as Penzance-based group Kabasa! (kabasa.co.uk), offer the mixture of hot, sweet and spicy in just the right amounts.
Suggested first dance: 'Macarena.'
RIB-EYE STEAK
Sink your teeth into the mouth-watering goodness of the authentic all-American experience. Country music may not have been your first thought when planning your wedding, but with the option of line dancing, you can guarantee a filled floor and plenty of laughter. Get your studded shirts and Stetsons at the ready and spur on your gals and chaps for a toe-tapping, heel-slapping event. Check out Eagle Country (eaglecountry.co.uk), a local duo of country enthusiasts, or watch www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-V7QRv0JAY for ideas.
Suggested first dance: 'Stand By Your Man.'
TRIFLE
For a smooth mix to tantalise the senses, try these funky flavours and give it a sprinkle of retro goodness. Are you ready for this jelly? Because you're about to shake things up disco style. Tap your feet and move to the beat because this Saturday Night there's a fever on the dance floor. Try Kernow Groove (kernowgroove.co.uk) for jukebox and DJ hire or The Harry Peanut Show (harrypeanutshow.co.uk) for live beats from an eight-piece band.
Suggested first dance: 'Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel.'
ANGEL HAIR PASTA
Delicate, sensual and sophisticated, this option is sure to please everyone. As an accompaniment to the drinks reception or the main course, the finely textured elegance of strings will enhance the atmosphere of your celebration. Classical Strings (classicalstrings.co.uk) provides string quartets, trios, duets or solo violinists to complement your most tender of moments.
Suggested first dance: 'Make You Feel My Love.'
IN THE KEY OF LOVE
These performers will deliver a pitch-perfect set for your party
ALL JAZZED UP
Celebrated jazz singer Johanna Graham (johannagraham.co.uk) lends her velvety vocals to pared down performances as a trio for the ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast through to a five-piece band, complete with drums and saxophone, for a lively evening do. Think laidback Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald numbers, upbeat swing and personal requests performed in her signature, soul-stirring style.
SWEET SOUNDS
The sheer variety of The Great Little Band's (thegreatlittleband.co.uk) set list enables you to throw the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder and The Arctic Monkeys into one heady, musical mix. Available as a duo or a four-piece for a full, rock'n'roll sound, the fusion of dynamic performances, skillful musicianship and incredible harmonies is like musical honey to the ears.
ROCK OF AGES
Guaranteed to ignite your evening reception, four-piece rockers Keiko Rise (keikorise.com) deliver a blistering set list of dance-floor filling numbers with personality, professionalism - and a whole lotta fun. From Jimi Hendrix and Blur to Kings of Leon and The Killers, the tunes will be delivered in storming style for one kick-ass party.
SWING THING
Blending an air of romance and sophistication with an alluring vintage appeal, four-piece band Swingology (swingology.net) perform brilliantly atmospheric gypsy jazz numbers. Reminiscent of smoky Parisian cafes, their 1940s' style soundtrack exudes glamour - perfect for an ambient drinks reception and wedding breakfast.
PIANO MAN
Accomplished pianist Nicholas Bonnell (pianistincornwall.co.uk) provides a stirring soundtrack to a ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast. From classical pieces, show tunes and songbook standards through to pop songs, film scores and television theme tunes, Nicholas's extensive repertoire makes for a swoonsome ivory-tinkling experience.
SWEET HARMONY
Sisters Jenna and Morwenna Matthews sing as Twin Harmony (twinharmony.com), lending their exquisite harmonies to a varied programme - perfect for a ceremony. From the likes of Take That and Snow Patrol numbers through to traditional hymns and musical favourites, there won't be a dry eye in the house as they deliver one of their signature captivating performances.
MUSICAL NOTES
We asked the Twittersphere how they sprinkled some personality into their wedding playlist. Here are some favourites...
"We incorporated our favourite music (a bit of '80s) by firstly doing an '80s photo shoot for our invitations and then getting our band, Falmouth Soul Sensations, to learn 'Apache' by Kool and the Gang. We then got the whole wedding party to do the stroll for our first dance in '80s fancy dress. It was very memorable, especially as my hubby couldn't really see me through his extremely detailed Sandman Star Wars costume!" Emma Priest, The Vintage Cream
"My brother accompanied the groom's little sister on the guitar as she sang 'True Colours', the Cindy Lauper classic, while we signed the register. They then sang 'You've Got A Friend' as a duet, while he accompanied on the guitar. It was lovely and thoroughly enjoyed by the congregation!" Hetty Wildblood, Koru Kayaking
"My husband and I were lucky that we had access to a cathedral choir and a very talented organist, which meant we could get a bit creative with the music. My husband is a massive Indiana Jones fan so our exit music was 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' on the 1808 pipe cathedral organ. It gave everyone a chuckle and people still talk about it as it was so unexpected!" Annalise Lucas, Annalise Harvey Bridal Design
"We had Metallica played on the harp at our wedding!" Alan Law, Alan Law Photography
"I asked my brother to make a jazz playlist for cocktail hour and he sneaked in the 'Frasier' theme tune - it's one of our faves!" Joanna Shears, Death & Glory Taxidermy
"We had our favourite Pink Floyd song, 'Comfortably Numb', performed on the piano for my arrival and 'The Wedding March' performed on the electric guitar by my husband's brother - in full Cornish tartan - for our exit." Rebecca Matthews, editor, Wed Magazine
words Charity Wilson
Copyright Wed Magazine 2013
