Re: music during cocktail hour?

You definitely notice it. I'm a musician and I play at a lot of coctail hours, people definitely listen to it and definitely take notice of it.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

Ours was included in the package with the DJ. Even though it will be light music, I'm sure people would notice if it wasn't there, like when you go to a restaurant, they usually have light music playing in the backround. I went to one once where the music stopped playing and it was akwardly silent and weird.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

I think you should have some background music... our DJ will play ours...

Re: music during cocktail hour?

Our band is including music in our CH. We will have a band member play the piano and maybe some jazz too.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

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Posted by becks23

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Posted by aimerliny

Most bands and DJs include a small setup for the cocktail hour. It'll probably be part of your package.

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My band includes a keyboard and trumpet player to play some jazz music during the cocktail hour.....a nice touch.

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I will have keyboard and maybe Sax during cocktail hour

Re: music during cocktail hour?

I definately think people will notice. Music sets the tone for the event. However, if you don't have the budget for it, you can pipe it in. Our DJ offered to make a CD to play at the CH for us. (But I hired a pianist. So I don't need it.)

Re: music during cocktail hour?

My daughter hired a harpist for her cocktail hour at the Woodbury CC. With almost 200 guests, it was quite noisy. Not one person commented how good she sounded, but several said how unfortunate it was that she couldn't be heard. One of my friend's husbands later asked what instrument we had - he vaguely remembered something but wasn't sure. And a harp is big!
If we had to do it again, we definitely would have skipped it and saved the $$$.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

You need music.. otherwise it will feel like something is missing.

can you perhaps put some CD's in your venue's sound system to save some cash??

We are having a jazz trio..

Re: music during cocktail hour?

At Woodbury CC they include a pianist that plays in the lobby, right outside the CH room doors so it is definitely background music, but at least its something.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

i think there should always be music at an event-it truly sets the tone and creates an atmosphere more conducive to conversation. If anything, people at a loss for words can say 'wow. This guitarist is very talented.'

something is always better than nothing! burn some jazz on a cd and play it if need be.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

Can some of your guys tell me where you got your jazz trio's from and how much they cost. We are really hoping to book someone but I don't know where to begin.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

We had a calypso band and I'm not sure how many people indoors even knew they were there, but everyone who came outside, and it was a lot of people, all commented on it.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

Honestly, I think people notice.

We hired MusicJHT to play piano for the Cocktail Hour. His work is awesome and very inexpensive. He is a vendor on this site.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

We hired a singer named Gene through Tommy's Tunes to sing during the cocktail hour. He is AMAZING and does THREE voices: Tony Bennett, Sinatra and Armstrong!! As soon as I heard him, I'm like, YES, I HAVE TO HAVE HIM!!

Re: music during cocktail hour?

I did not have music at the CH. We were outside in nature and I wanted that 'music' in the background.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

If it's DJ background music people probably don't really notice. Can probably get your dj to throw it in or charge a minimal amount. But if you went for something like jazz trio, harp, steel drums, piano, etc. I'm sure people will notice. We've added live music to our cocktail hour. I didn't want 'elevator music' in the background and figured what the heck is a few extra bucks for an hour of live music. If your boderline and want to spend the money elsewhere - do it.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

IMO only, I know how some take things personally. And really shouldn't matter what I think or anyone else think's, just opinions, everyone is different and you have to weed through everything to determine what's right for you. Whether it's Gene, or any singer for that matter, personally I would not go with a live singer for CH. If you are going to get a singer though I would definitely look into Gene but do it early because he books very quick. He is fantastic - may be one of, if not the best in the area for weddings that actively do this for a living. I would use him during the reception though. Have been to CH's, not with Gene, but with a singer and what ends up happening is there's a bunch of people who haven't seen each other in a while, it's your rowdy side of the family or friends, or it's people being introduced all over the place as this is really the first time everyone is together that day and can talk (not in the church) - and people end up talking louder and louder competing with the singer to be heard. But background music live a jazz trio, strolling violin, harp, soft piano, classical guitar - easy on the ears.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

That's why we're having a pianist and 3 strolling violinists. So people notice, plus I think the violinists are romantic.

If it's a budget issue I would just have the hall put something on for you.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

I never notice music at the CH. My FBIL had a trio at his wedding (I was just informed of this). I was there and have no recollection of this! We're just doing DJ background music. Most people talk and mingle during the CH anyway.

Re: music during cocktail hour?

Our band provides us with a piano and trumpet for the CH...I definitely think having live background music sets a nice tone.