Brides that had or are having Mariachi Band

For those of you that had the Mariachi band at your wedding. Did they play before, during and after the wedding ceremony for you? For those that had them during the wedding, do you think it was worth it or would you have preferred to prepare your own songs on an I-pod or cd? Because it is relatively expensive for Mariachi's ($500-800) I want to be sure it is worth it. I was also considered just having them play during dinner, but I don't even know if people would notice.

good question! i'm also wondering if mariachis are worth it? we are thinking about having them post-dinner @ the bonfire??

We are planning on having them play during the cocktail hour.

We are planning on having them walk with us and the bridal party from the lobby of the hotel to the restaurant and play a couple of songs during dinner. Reception will be our songs on an Ipod

We are having the mariachi play for the entrance to the ceremony, probably the husband/wife exit, and throughout the cocktail hour only.

HTH.

We are having a mariachi, and it came included in our wedding package. They will be playing as people are being seated for the ceremony, as well as a little after. They would play durring the ceremony, but we have a beautiful celtic version of Canon in D that we are playing instead. For the reception, my WC told us to save the $900 and hook up an IPOD.

I didn't think we would but, we wound up hiring the Mariachi trio at the last minute while already down in Cancun. They played right after the ceremony and during cocktail hour and were well worth it!!! Although we didn't really get to hear them play since we were finishing up our pictures during the cocktail hour, our guests enjoyed them very much!

I'm hiring a mariachi to play before the ceremony (while the guests are being seated) and up to the middle of the cocktail hour. I believe in total will be 90 minutes. I really wanted to walk down the aisle to mariachi, it's so romantic! My FI and I are both Mexican and we love mariachi; it completely sets the mood for the guests to sing along and drink some tequila!! I have to admit, we always hire mariachi for parties and I can't believe how much they charge for mariachi's in Mexico!!! It's crazy expensive!

cocktail hour is a great idea!

Hoping for a Miciachi trio....if mom and dad are feeling generous!!! LOL!