twentysomethings at Matt & Tenille’s Wedding

twentysomethings are our most recently signed act and they’ve been making a seriously huge impression since we started working with them in early 2014. A 4-piece outfit consisting of lead vocals/keys, guitar, bass and drums, these guys have a flexibility and sound affiliated with a much larger lineup; owing majorly to front woman Tash’s masterful handle on both lead vocals and keys, and additional backing vocals from the rest of the band. Their dynamic, Like A Version style take on current Top 40s tunes and retro favourites conveys both an edginess and a fresh, exuberant energy totally unlike anything else on the Sydney covers scene; culminating in non-stop dance floor vibes. Subsequently, when Tenille and Matt approached us with the brief for their wedding reception – a good mix of classic and modern tracks that would keep their guests pumped and moving – we knew twentysomethings would be a perfect fit.

Having selected a range of  both new and vintage soul-funk style hits to be played on the night  (including Uptown Funk, Cosmic Girl, The Way You Make Me Feel, I Want You Back, Signed Sealed Delivered and Get Lucky), as well as a cheeky cameo of Living On A Prayer, Matt and Tenille managed to provide something for every demographic in attendance. The couple also chose the following songs for a few stand out moments in the night:

Bridal Waltz: Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran. Matt and Tenille put a personal spin on this current wedding darling by having Matt’s sister sing lead with the band. A very nice touch!

Bouquet Toss: Single Ladies – Beyonce. Everyone knows that this one was made for the bouquet toss!

Garter Toss: Like I Love You – Justin Timberlake. With its noughties-nostalgic r n’ b dance groove, this was a great track to finish the night on.

Congratulations Tenille and Matt! We had a blast working with you guys in the lead up to the big day, and we’re absolutely thrilled that you loved the band!

All the best,

The Funkified Team

Top Tips In Organising Your Wedding Music

Planning the music for your wedding doesn’t have to be a stressful – in fact, it can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of your wedding preparation! To help you out, the following are our Top Tips to help you get the perfect soundtrack for your wedding day:

1)   Show your personality! Your music selections can be a great way to personalise your wedding. For important moments like your processional, reception entrance, and cake cutting, select songs that hold special meaning to you and your partner.

2)   Get it in writing. To avoid any confusion or misunderstandings, make sure your band or DJ provides a contract for you that clearly states the performers start and finish times, the number of performers booked and the number of sets they are doing.

3)   What DON’T you want to hear? Informing your band or DJ of the songs you definitely don’t want played on the night can be just as important as letting them know the ones you do.

4)   Keep them in the loop. If you have a certain theme for your wedding that you want reflected in the entertainers outfits, or a particular song you really want performed, make sure to give the band/DJ plenty of notice so that they have time to prepare.

5)   Trust the professionals. While you should definitely let the band/DJ know what songs and artists you would like to hear on the night, don’t get too caught up in structuring the songs lists to a tee. If you’ve booked a professional group, they’ll have extensive experience at reading the crowd, and knowing what they want to hear, leaving you to just relax and enjoy the music!

Funkified Entertainment

How to choose a processional song

Walking down the aisle towards your husband-to-be is a hugely significant part of your wedding day. To ensure that this once-in-a-lifetime moment is everything you want it to be, you have to consider your music selection carefully. Your processional song will act as the soundtrack to one of the most memorable occasions of your life, so it’s important to get it right!

In selecting your processional song, it is important to consider the following:

• Are you hiring live musicians to perform on the day? If so, check with the musicians that they are able to perform the particular song in the first place, as leaving it until the last minute may result in disappointment.
• How fast is your chosen song? Remember that you do want to exude elegance and grace, so stick with songs with a slower tempo. Running up the aisle in your wedding dress won’t make for a great look!
• How many members are in your bridal party? If you have a large entourage walking up the aisle on the day, make sure the song you have selected is long enough to last from the flower-girl’s first steps, right through until you have reached the alter. Walking up the aisle in silence, because the music finished thirty seconds too early, would feel a little under-whelming.
• If have chosen a contemporary song to walk down the aisle to, check the lyrics first! So many songs out there are about a break-up – and that’s the last thing you want to be hearing!

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Songs To Walk Down The Aisle To

There are several different paths you can take when it comes to selecting your processional music. The following are just some of the options out there:

 

CLASSICAL

If you have always dreamed of the classic, fairytale wedding, then classical music is probably the right choice. Elegant and timeless, classical music will set you up with a dramatic entrance that will tear at guests heartstrings.

Popular classical wedding songs include:

Canon in D – Pachelbel

Wedding March – Wagner

Concerto for Two Violins, 2^nd Mvt – Bach

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Bach

Air on G – Bach

Flower Duet – Delibes

Ave Maria – Schubert

 

CONTEMPORARY

If you and your partner have a more relaxed approach towards the ceremony, then selecting a contemporary song to be performed as you walk down the aisle can be a great way to evoke your ideal atmosphere. The addition of lyrics is also a bonus as they can be used to express to how the two of you feel about one another.

Popular contemporary wedding sons include:

Marry Me – Train

My Only Hope – Mandy Moore

Lullaby – Dixie Chicks

Everything I Do – Bryan Adams

Here, There and Everywhere – The Beatles

From This Moment – Shania Twain

Gorecki – Lamb

Heaven (Slow Version) – DJ Sammy

Only Time – Enya

All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo

I’m Yours – Jason Mraz

Better Together – Jack Johnson

 

JAZZ

If you want something a little different, that still oozes grace and sophistication, why not have a popular jazz standard performed? There is so much great jazz out there that you can use, and they won’t be as repetitive as some of the contemporary song options.

Popular jazz processional songs include:

Moon River – Mancini

Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Judy Garland

The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra

At Last – Etta James

What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

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Have a look at THE USUAL SUSPECTS, SALT STRING QUARTET, and ELLIPSIS JAZZ on our website.

Wedding Feature – Shiana and Guy

A few Saturday’s ago, we were lucky enough to provide the wedding music for a truly wonderful and very much in-love couple. Shiana and Guy hosted one of the most memorable weddings we have had the privilege of being involved with, so we thought we would share the details to hopefully provide some inspiration for others!

Who: Shiana and Guy

Date: Saturday, 11^th September 2010

Venue: Sergeant’s Mess, Chowder Bay Road, Cremorne NSW

No. of Guests: 160

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The Music

Band: Soulstice as a 7-piece. Featuring male and female vocals, saxophone, piano, guitar, bass and drums.

MC: Funkified Entertainment wedding consultant, Gus Stephenson, performed the role of MC on the night, introducing the bridal party, announcing the bridal waltz and inviting guests to the dance floor.

Soulstice with Singer Nat Conway

Song Requests:

Bridal Waltz – ‘Fallen’ by Lauren Wood

Mother/Son and Father/Daughter Dance – ‘Love Is Real’ by Al Green – ‘Everywhere’ by Fleetwood Mac

 

 What Made Their Wedding Stand-Out

Guy and Shiana’s wedding was such a fun occasion from beginning to end. The two of them had really thrown themselves into embracing their culture, and had an emphasis on making sure everyone enjoyed themselves.

Shiana is of Sri Lankan background, so it was important to her that this play an important role in the festivities. After disappearing from the reception for 10 minutes, Shiana re-emerged dressed in a sari and began dancing to the Baila music that was being played through the PA, with Guy joining her. This celebration of Shiana’s heritage added a wonderful cultural element to the wedding, and had all of their guests, young and old, cheering her on, then getting up and dancing to the Sri Lankan music themselves.

Later in the night, throughout which the guests had remained glued to the dance floor, Guy took to the stage himself. With microphone in hand, and backed by the band, an animated Guy performed ‘She’s Got The Look’ by Roxette for his new wife, to a highly enthusiastic audience. We’ve mentioned it before – singing with the band is a fantastic way to express yourself to your partner, and really gets your guests on the dance floor. After all, you have an entire band to back you!

The Cake

Guy and Shiana’s delicious wedding cake was created by Faye Cahill Cake Design. The cake was three tiers in a pyramid shape, iced in champagne and featuring black hand painted script with the couples names. It also had two large handmade icing flowers in striking red. Flavours were chocolate mud, vanilla/rose petal and white chocolate.

Photos to come soon!

http://www.funkified.com.au

Wedding Ceremony Music: Want Something Different?

Wedding Ceremony Music: Want Something Different?

Sick of hearing the same old wedding music? Want to make your ceremony really stand out from the rest?

If your vision is to have a ceremony that’s anything but a cliché, then consider your music selections, and what you really want your choices to express. The following options may be a little left of centre, but can sometimes create just the right atmosphere and emotion that you’re after:

Wind Quartet

Consisting of flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon, a wind group can perform the usual ceremony repertoire with a unique twist. Able to draw upon similar song list to a string quartet, a wind quartet will resonate well in a large space, and are able to perform outdoors without any problems. Having a flautist perform at your ceremony will add a romantic, lilting touch, and the support from the other instruments will serve to fatten out the overall sound.

Sourcing a wind quartet can prove to be challenging. The best method by far is to approach either an entertainment agency or well-known conservatorium. Endorsement by either an agency or music institution will ensure that the musicians are trained professionals, and familiar with performing in this setting.

A Cappella Group

If you or your partner are avid fans of barbershop quartets, this could be the perfect fit for you. Good a cappella ensembles will generally be able to perform from an extensive repertoire and will accept song requests, so that you can have a say in what you walk down the aisle to. A cappella groups also have the added positive of allowing you songs with lyrics, not just melodies. This can open up an entire range of options based on the words as well as the music.

If possible, make sure you see the group first, or at least hear a recording. There are many amateur (and sometimes out-of-tune!) vocal ensembles out there, whom you will want to avoid at all costs.

Irish Pipes

Good Irish pipe musicians can be difficult to find in Australia. However if you have Irish or Celtic roots, and would like to play homage to them, then this is something you may want to consider. Having a key part of your wedding that connects with your (or your partner’s) cultural heritage will add a personal touch (and is also guaranteed to please your relatives!).

Irish pipe players play from a range of traditional and more modern Celtic songs and ballads. This instrument is wonderful in its ability to play more than one melodic line – but it’s important to make sure you find an experienced piper. Bad Irish pipe playing is…well, bad!

Latin Trio

It may seem an odd suggestion, but if you want your ceremony to stand out from the rest, why not have a Latin band perform? Obviously only appropriate for secular ceremonies, a Latin band will inspire a fun and light-hearted atmosphere for you celebration, and is guaranteed to entertain your guests as they arrive and wait for the formalities to commence

For celebratory moments, such as the recessional, a Latin band will certainly provide a festive effect, and should have your guests tapping their feet before the reception has even started.

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What Are Your Wedding Ceremony Music Options?

Selecting the style of music you have performed at your wedding ceremony can seem like a daunting prospect. Searching online will reveal that there are a multitude of options to choose from, and when you aren’t quite sure what you want, it can be difficult to commit to anything.

So we have compiled an overview of your ceremony music options, including pros and cons of each, with the aim of making your decision a little less overwhelming:

PART 1

String Quartet

Versatile and expressive, a string quartet (or trio) remains a popular choice for wedding ceremony music. Suitable for both religious and secular ceremonies, string quartets can perform from a large repertoire of classical and popular songs, and it is common for them to accept song requests (as long as they are given enough notice – leaving it until the day itself is a little late!). They also add a fantastic visual element to the occasion, and will stimulate an atmosphere of classic elegance.

String quartets can perform outdoors at garden ceremonies, although they will require cover or shade, as sunlight (or rain!) will damage their instruments.

Hiring a string quartet for your ceremony will cost around $600.

A good idea if you like: ‘Canon in D’ – Pachelbel, ‘Spring’ – Vivaldi, ‘All You Need Is Love’ – The Beatles, ‘Air on G’ – Bach.

Harpist

Hiring a harpist for your wedding ceremony is another more traditional option, however like string quartets, they are suitable for both religious and secular ceremonies. If you have a romantic wedding in mind, a harpist will be ideal, as they exude romance both musically and visually.

The repertoire of a harpist is far more limited than other options, as they have a narrower range of sound and expression. They also have quite a soft dynamic, so are more suited to intimate ceremonies. If you are having an outdoor wedding, the harpist will require shade or cover to avoid damage to their instrument.

A harpist will generally cost around $350.

A good idea if you like: ‘Greensleeves’ – Traditional, ‘Raindrop Prelude’ – Chopin, ‘Moon River’ – Henry Mancini

Guitar (or Keyboard) and Vocal Duo

This option is most suitable for secular ceremonies, particularly if you want a relaxed vibe, and more contemporary songs to be performed. Duo’s can perform from a large repertoire of well-known pop, acoustic, groove, rock and even indie favourites. If your guests are on the younger side especially, this choice will be perfect as the audience will connect with and relate to the music.

If the duo is performing with electric guitar or keyboard, they will require a power source for their instruments, which can be problematic for some garden ceremonies.

As this duo will come with a vocalist, there are lyrics to consider as well as the music. Lyrics are a very powerful expressive tool, and can communicate to your guests how you and your partner feel about one another. Just make sure you consider the lyrics of your chosen music carefully – some songs don’t have the meaning that you initially expect them to!

A duo will range in price from around $500 to $900.

A good idea if you like: ‘I’m Yours’ – Jason Mraz,  ‘It’s Only Natural’ – Crowded House, ‘If I Ain’t Got You‘ – Alicia Keys, ‘Just The Two Of Us’ – Bill Withers, ‘Better Together’ – Jack Johnson

Jazz Band

Hiring a jazz band to perform at your ceremony will add a unique and sophisticated edge to the occasion. They can perform from an enormous instrumental repertoire, however a jazz band won’t be able to perform ‘conventional’ wedding songs that many of your guests will expect. Generally, a trio or quartet is best, and you have the option of selecting the instrumentation eg. saxophone, guitar and drums, or trumpet, guitar and bass.

If the jazz band is acoustic, there won’t be the issue of requiring power if the ceremony is outdoors. Also, a jazz band will also project sound further than most other groups (particularly if you choose to include a horn player) so your guests will be able to enjoy the music without struggling to hear it.

A jazz trio will generally cost around $900, and a quartet will start from $1200.

A good idea if you like: ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ – Frank Sinatra, ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ – Michael Buble, ‘So What’ – Miles Daves

Other Options (Covered in Part 2)

• Organ Player
• Wind Quartet (flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon)
• A Capella Group
• Church Choir

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Wedding Band Vs. Wedding DJ

Planning a wedding is full of decision-making.
Religious or secular ceremony?
50 guests or 150?
Sit-down dinner or canapés?
Live band or DJ?

And it’s all up to two people who may have never planned an event in their lives.

Several factors will come in to play. For starters, sticking to the wedding budget is generally a primary concern, and even modest weddings come with hefty price tags. Couples also need to accommodate to the tastes of all their guests, from college friends to elderly great aunts. Most importantly, weddings are meant to reflect the bride and groom – it’s important that you like the venue, food, music etc. in the first place. After all, if you don’t have fun at your own wedding, what’s the point?

When it comes to deciding between a live band and a DJ for your wedding entertainment, here are some points that you may want to consider, hopefully making the whole process that little bit easier:

– PRICE – A DJ is undoubtedly cheaper than a band. For a four to six hour-long reception, a DJ will cost between $500 and $1000, depending on experience and equipment. A band however will generally be priced from around $1800 up to $4000, depending on size, quality and experience. If this is out of your price range, but you still want live music, a smaller act (solo to trio) will be more affordable, at around $600 to $1600.

– REPERTOIRE – A standard covers band will generally have between 100 and 300 songs under their belts, while a DJ, armed with all the memory of their MacBook, may have in excess of 10,000.

However, is this really a huge advantage? Generally, a DJ will pull out the same ‘party favourites’ that the band will, with the remaining 9,900 songs being obscure tracks that are rarely requested. While the repertoire of a band is more limited, an experienced group should come prepared with a well-balanced selection of popular songs to accommodate all tastes, from Motown standards, to top 40 favourites.

– VENUE – When choosing your entertainment, it’s important you consider your venue. How big is the room your reception is being held in?

DJ’s take up relatively little floor-space, so if your reception venue is on the smaller side, a DJ won’t cramp up the dance-floor. Duos and trios are also very compact, so if you are concerned about space, a smaller band is still an option. If you are using a large venue for your reception, a full band will look and sound fantastic. Not only will they produce enough sound to fill the entire room, but they will also add a visual element that will suit the larger space.

– ENTERTAINMENT VALUE – When it comes down to ‘wow’ factor, nothing beats a great live band. Not only are they visually spectacular, they also come with an infectious energy and emphasis on audience interaction, that is guaranteed to keep your guests entertained and on the dance floor.

A wedding DJ will not be able to pull off the ‘show’ element that comes with a band. As they are playing pre-recorded music, DJ’s aren’t able to generate the excitement that is generated from watching live performance.

The advantage of a DJ lies in their ability to play ‘nightclub’ favourites, which a live band can simply not pull off. Songs that rely heavily on electronic beats and computer-generated effects are generally not convincing when performed by a standard six-piece band.

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Questions You Should Be Asking Your Wedding Band

 

So you have weighed up your options, and decided a live band is the way to go. Fantastic decision – great live music stimulates a festive atmosphere, provides the day with structure, highlights key moments and will help ensure that you and your guests can relax and simply enjoy the celebration.

However bad live music can result in your dream day turning into a nightmare.

Imagine your band showing up an hour late, and sound-checking as your guests are arriving, only to then perform a completely unheard of song for your bridal waltz. Or a covers band that seems to have a repertoire consisting only of Barry Manilow’s greatest hits, succeeding only in frightening you and your guests off the dance floor…

In order to avoid such catastrophes, it’s important you ask all the right questions! The following should ensure that you get the wedding music you want, exactly the way you want it:

1)   Can I see the musicians live, or hear a recording? You want to make sure you actually like the music in the first place! Any good group will have song samples or a demo CD to give interested brides and grooms, and most musicians will have public performances you can go and watch.

2)   Am I able to make song requests? You don’t want to book a band, only to find that they perform from a very limited song list. If you are set on having particular songs for your bridal waltz, bouquet toss etc., it’s important you let the musicians know in advance so they have time to prepare.

3)   Do you provide PA, and can I use it for speeches if need be? This should be expected of every band. Make sure PA is included in the initial quote, and not an ‘added extra’ you find out about a week before your wedding. Also, some venues don’t have an in-house PA system, meaning you will require the band PA for speeches. This should not cost any extra, and if it does, make sure you find out up-front. You don’t want to receive a bill for it when you get back from your honeymoon!

4)   How early will you be sound-checking? A good band will make sure to sound-check long before the start of your ceremony or reception. That way when you and your guests arrive, the band is set-up and ready to go.

5)   Are sound engineers included in the price? For larger bands in particular, the presence of a qualified sound engineer is essential. While a large band with a markedly cheap quote may seem appealing, they may be sacrificing the sound engineer to get the gig, meaning the sound quality will noticeably suffer.

6)   Will the band/agent liaise with your wedding venue? You don’t want the group to show up on the night, only to find your chosen venue is too small, or has noise restrictions.

7)   Does the band have flexible set times?At weddings, anything can happen, and a great band will be able to adjust accordingly and keep things on track. After all, they’re wedding professionals.

http://www.funkified.com.au

The iPod Wedding

 

Weddings are expensive affairs. After the initial engagement excitement, couples are suddenly faced with planning an event that involves venue hire, catering, entertainment, bridal wear, flower arrangements – all of them offering ‘bargains’ and ‘limited special offers’. Daunting at best, the combined costs of these wedding ‘necessities’ can be immensely challenging for an already stretched wedding budget.

So when confronted with the overwhelming costs of throwing a wedding, the do-it-yourself option can suddenly appear incredibly appealing.

One of the latest trends in the DIY wedding planning is the iPod wedding.
This involves couples choosing to skip the live band or the DJ altogether, instead opting to run the music themselves. It’s understandable – after all, your laptop isn’t going to demand money, and you’re guaranteed to hear all your favourite songs. Finally, if your guests have last-minute music requests, it’s as easy as clicking a button. Sounds like a win, right?

But before you jump onto the iPod bandwagon, it’s important you know what you’re up against.

To start with, how big are your computer speakers? Big enough to fill a room with over a hundred people? For the music to be at a reasonable level throughout the room, you’ll require at least two 400 watt speakers, paired with a mixer. Not only that, but microphones also come into the equation. After all, you’re going to want to make announcements and speeches and shouting on your wedding day doesn’t make for a great look.

Then come the playlists. Generally, wedding receptions last from four to seven hours, and music, even if it’s in the background, is hugely important in creating the right atmosphere. So to start with, you have to make sure you have enough music in your library to last for your entire reception.

Then factor in the type of music you want, and how it will change over the night. If you don’t want to be listening to the same three CD’s on repeat, you have to allocate several days to putting the playlists together, then listening to them to make sure they flow well. Consider the structure of your reception and what people will want. Do you want dancing after dinner? Specific songs for bridal party entry? Will the songs included appeal to the tastes of all your guests? And who will operate the music for your bridal waltz, and when you want it to pause for speeches?

The advantage of hiring a professional is that everything is taken care of for you. Experienced wedding bands will come with their own PA system, and hundreds of popular songs on their books. Many bands, such as The Usual Suspects, encourage brides and grooms to request songs, which they will learn specifically for their wedding day.

Professional wedding bands or DJ’s are also experts at ‘reading the room’ – after all, it’s their job! A live band can pick up on what your guests want to hear, and adjust their sets accordingly, as well as interact with the crowd to ensure everyone has a good time. They provide structure for the evening, performing laidback, background music earlier in the night, then performing dance-floor favourites later on to bring the celebration to a climax.

Going down the DIY route at weddings can be tempting – it certainly will save you money. Just make sure that you and your partner are properly prepared for it. You don’t want to get so wrapped up in sticking to budget that you forget to enjoy yourself!

http://www.funkified.com.au