Cocktail hour music

Hi,
I know I should technically post on the BHB board, but I wanted to get the opinion of past brides.
We are considering not have any music during the cocktail hour. What are your thoughts? I know it's supposed to set the mood, but our budget is ballooning real fast and we need to cut out some stuff.
Do you think anyone will miss it? If you had someone play at yours, do you think it wouldn't have made a difference if there was no music?
And for those who didn't have any music, do you wish you did? I would appreciate any info.

THANKS!!

Re: Cocktail hour music

Truthfully, I don't think anyone even knew we had the guitarist at the CH (unless they were sitting right on top of him). Our CH was outside and had we really thought about it, I think we would have skipped it.

Re: Cocktail hour music

We had a jazz trio band and I must say, they completely set the tone of the wedding. I was getting so many compliments from my guests immediately while we were in the CH. My mom said she received so may calls after the wedding on our guests raving about everything, but I must say most of them mentioned they loved the jazz band. If you are interested let me know. I thought they were VERY reasonable.

Re: Cocktail hour music

We had a flute, violin, cello trio that played our ceremony and cocktail hour. Believe me it was noticed, over a year later and I still get compliments on how nice it was. They provided such an elegant touch!!!!!!!

Re: Cocktail hour music

We actually just put together some CD's. The reception venue had a sound system pumped through the room for the cocktail hour. It worked out really well.

You should check to see if your venue has something similar.

Re: Cocktail hour music

Personally, I never notice if there is any music in a cocktail hour room. I like the time to socialize and of course eat and often times the live music is overpowering.

That being said, I don't think it is necessary. I had a DJ at my wedding and he spun some CD (no extra charge) to play at the cocktail hour music. We used that as a time to play some of the music that DH and I like but didn't fit in during the reception time. It had some classic rock, slow rock songs, and other stuff we like. I remember not really hearing it until I went to talk to a friend who was sitting next to the speaker. I was surprised to hear that some people actually noticed it and loved it...mostly friends. DH's good friend was so pleasantly surprised to hear GNR and old school hair songs at a wedding!! lol

Re: Cocktail hour music

we had our dj play soft jazz.

Re: Cocktail hour music

I think its a nice touch, but its not necessary. We hired a pianist for the CH.

Re: Cocktail hour music

Ive been to weddings where there is soft music in the background and also when there is no music at all...its nice to have..but I dont think the guests definately miss it if its not there. We did have a steel pan player at ours, but Dh is from Trinidad so it was nice to incorporate his culture into our wedding. our guests definately noticed our pan player..he was awesome!!!

Re: Cocktail hour music

We burned a CD with songs by Clannad, Solas, Enya and some other nice background songs. Then the reception hall put it on their sound system which pipes into the cocktail room. I wasn't there to hear it but heard it was very nice.

Re: Cocktail hour music

I definitely think the background music adds to the tone...we had a piano playing in the background. But you can just as easily burn some CDs with jazz or instrumentals and have that playing too and it would cost practically nothing.