Music Of Cocktail Hour?

[LauraM]

Such a simple question but I need help! Every wedding I've ever been to has music playing at the cocktail hour. However, the DJ is just setting up and such, not really "DJ'ing" too much. Are you all hiring a DJ to start during cocktail or to start at the beginning of the reception? I hate to pay a whole hour for him to sit and play simple music for cocktail hour. But I also can't imagine a quiet/music-less cocktail hour either! Opinions? Thanks!

[calgarybride2015]

Such a simple question but I need help! Every wedding I've ever been to has music playing at the cocktail hour. However, the DJ is just setting up and such, not really "DJ'ing" too much. Are you all hiring a DJ to start during cocktail or to start at the beginning of the reception? I hate to pay a whole hour for him to sit and play simple music for cocktail hour. But I also can't imagine a quiet/music-less cocktail hour either! Opinions? Thanks!

We are doing the Mexican trio/mariachi for the cocktail hour then the DJ just for the reception. I couldn't imagine no music either. Could you possibly bring a speaker system if didn't want to pay the DJ?

 

 

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[LauraM]

We're trying to make things as simple (meaning we don't want to be directly responsible for anything, we also won't want to be handing tasks off to our family/friends) for our wedding day... so while bringing a speaker and playing music is possible.. it's not ideal. Especially since those closest to us will not even be at the cocktail hour to man the ipod (they'll be on the beach for photos). Good idea nonetheless. I did want the Mexican trio for cocktail but it's even more expensive than a DJ! $900 for a trio for 45 mins! =( it's still an option though, since it'd be very fitting. I'd be sad to miss such an expensive/wonderful part of my wedding (again, we'll be far from the cocktail hour, taking photos).

[calgarybride2015]

We're trying to make things as simple (meaning we don't want to be directly responsible for anything, we also won't want to be handing tasks off to our family/friends) for our wedding day... so while bringing a speaker and playing music is possible.. it's not ideal. Especially since those closest to us will not even be at the cocktail hour to man the ipod (they'll be on the beach for photos). Good idea nonetheless. I did want the Mexican trio for cocktail but it's even more expensive than a DJ! $900 for a trio for 45 mins! =( it's still an option though, since it'd be very fitting. I'd be sad to miss such an expensive/wonderful part of my wedding (again, we'll be far from the cocktail hour, taking photos).

 

 

WOW, our Mexican Trio for 45 mins is $375!   I won't get to enjoy it either as I will be taking photos, but I hope to be able to get atleast a photo with them.  The trio was a splurge for us and something we used our booking bonuses on.  

 

I totally understand not wanting to have anything in your families hands, but unfortunately some things may have to be - not saying music, but I think the bridal party and family members understand that.

 

Maybe just get an extra hour from the DJ then if you can, then it's the cheaper option and you don't have to worry about it.

[acw271011]

Have you looked at Tygrlily's planning thread? I think she did something with music. My old age is showing because I'm drawing a blank. Take a look through the thread for your resort and see what other options there might be. Sounds to me like adding an hour with a DJ might be cheaper than what you were quoted.

[beckys98]

I'm with you on not wanting to miss such an expensive part of the day! We actually decided not to pay for a private cocktail hour because it would have been about $2k not including any music. We'll have champagne on the beach after the ceremony and then direct our guests to the lobby bar, which is right next to the reception location anyway.

 

We are, however, splurging on the steel drum band to play at a bonfire reception the night before. It is $450 for one hour for the band. For us it is just an overall better spend of the money and it'll set the tone for the wedding the next day! (Plus, we'll get to enjoy it.)

 

Not that that solves your problem! How many guests do you have? I think you could probably get away with no music - people will be so excited and socializing they may not even notice!

 

We're trying to make things as simple (meaning we don't want to be directly responsible for anything, we also won't want to be handing tasks off to our family/friends) for our wedding day... so while bringing a speaker and playing music is possible.. it's not ideal. Especially since those closest to us will not even be at the cocktail hour to man the ipod (they'll be on the beach for photos). Good idea nonetheless. I did want the Mexican trio for cocktail but it's even more expensive than a DJ! $900 for a trio for 45 mins! =( it's still an option though, since it'd be very fitting. I'd be sad to miss such an expensive/wonderful part of my wedding (again, we'll be far from the cocktail hour, taking photos).

[LauraM]

$450 for an hour for a steel drum band? I'm beginning to think I chose the wrong resort... everything palace allows is so expensive =(

 

We're only having about 23 guests, and only about 15 of them will be attending our cocktail hour (the rest will be with us for photos). I don't want them to feel awkward or get bored so I definitely do want music of some sort... I also want the party to be started by the time my hubby and I arrive. It'll be worth the $$, i'm just frustrated about all the costs right now.

[calgarybride2015]

$450 for an hour for a steel drum band? I'm beginning to think I chose the wrong resort... everything palace allows is so expensive =(

 

We're only having about 23 guests, and only about 15 of them will be attending our cocktail hour (the rest will be with us for photos). I don't want them to feel awkward or get bored so I definitely do want music of some sort... I also want the party to be started by the time my hubby and I arrive. It'll be worth the $$, i'm just frustrated about all the costs right now.

I think you picked a fabulous resort but I agree on some of the costs. Just read your DJ question - wow. Our resort provides an entertainment employee as their DJ for $59/hour! Thankfully they have fabulous reviews on our resort thread or I'd also wonder why the price difference. I'm a little laid back and don't feel the need to worry further about some of this stuff so I never considered an outside DJ. If costs are adding up, I'd probably go with the cheaper DJ.

 

 

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[LauraM]

@@calgarybride2015 that is such a good idea! I love the palace entertainment staff, I wish they offered this!

[calgarybride2015]

@@calgarybride2015 that is such a good idea! I love the palace entertainment staff, I wish they offered this!

I agree it's a good idea. They are usually super outgoing given their job on the resort

 

On the flip side I sometimes wish our resort had 'preferred vendors' so we can options without the hefty resort fee.

 

 

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