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Getting the music right on your wedding day
While it may not seem like the most important part of the day, getting the music right is vital to setting the right mood. Good musicians and DJs know how music affects people and can help set the tone for everything from your walk down the aisle right through to the final banger to close off the night. Great ones will be able to make people cry, or get up on the dance floor, exactly when you want them to. Here are a few things to consider when you’re choosing your music.
Timing
Are you getting the band or DJ to play during the ceremony and while everyone mingles or do you just want them to help you dance the night away after all the formalities are over? Obviously budget plays a part in this: the longer you need them, the more you’ll be paying.
Style
Do you want the exact version of a special song, a great cover with a live band, or something played uniquely for you? There’s no right answer, as with all other elements of planning your wedding, it comes down to what’s right for you.
Budget
While a Spotify playlist might sound like a great idea to cut some fat from the budget, your playlist won’t be able to read the crowd. And what happens when all your drunk mates realise they can take over DJ duties? If you’re risking skipped tracks and family feuds, it’s worth bringing in the professionals. They can turn down requests.
Speaking of the professionals, we talked to a few of our favourites to find out what they can offer to set your day up for success.
MIX IT DJ 
With a staff of elite DJs that know how to work a crowd, Mix It DJ offer a turnkey music and PA system for your whole wedding. Director Jarrod Phillips is passionate about getting people up and dancing. “I’ve always thought that the real talent in DJing lies in the ability to use your emotional intelligence and stellar knowledge of music to get everyone up and dancing. When you can nail that with an eclectic wedding crowd then the guests will dance the night away and leave with that best wedding I’ve ever been to impression.”
Over the last 12 years, Mix It DJ have obviously made an impression on the wedding industry, they’re exclusively and officially recommended by many Auckland and Waiheke venues. Jarrod only uses the most experienced DJs and the best equipment. Plus, they’ll take the time to consult with you first to make sure you’re getting the tailored service you want. With Mix It DJs you can be sure you and your guests will be dancing into the wee hours. Or at least until closing.
Hands Off
Coming up to their 20th anniversary and with over 350 weddings under their belt, Hands Off know a thing or two about playing a wedding. And you can bet they’ve seen it all.
“I could write a book about it,” says singer and guitarist, Jaime Vokes. Amongst all the wonderful weddings and the odd mishap, he recalls one night that wasn’t even supposed to be a wedding. “We did a gig which was supposed to be a joint 70th birthday for a couple. After the speeches, he got down on one knee, proposed and they got married on the spot. He’d organised a celebrant to be in the crowd and they did it there and then.”
For young and old alike, Hands Off will take the time to find the solution that’ll be right for you. The main band is your typical four piece but they have plenty of options to look after you on your big day. From an acoustic duo during the ceremony, or canape music, to a full 7-piece band with two female singers, two guitarists and brass to really blow the roof off the joint later on in the night. “We’ve got a really good base of songs that everyone can dance to,” says Jaime. “We pride ourselves on being able to get the toughest of crowds on the dance floor.”
My Greatest Now
My Greatest Now could possibly be the most qualified wedding band that has ever existed. With two doctors of music, a jazz guitar master and a combined musical experience of well over 100 years, this quartet truly has the music flowing through them. Having crossed paths with each other for years in musical circles, these four played together at a jazz concert several years ago and MGN was born. Their combination of piano, upright bass, congas and acoustic guitar harmonises perfectly with their vocalists to create something much more than most.
If you’re looking for something smooth and stylish to set your wedding apart, their jazz, funk, soul and R&B covers, along their own fusion originals, will always deliver. MGN do take requests but they’ll do them in their own style and tempo. “Traditionally bands feature the singers. Everyone in our band gets a chance to solo. We’ve got that freedom,” says vocalist and conga player, Raymond Bishop. “Our connection with music enables us to speak directly to people. If you want them crying, or if you want them happy, smiling and up on the dance floor, we can do that. We’re the doctors of music.”
