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What do Lawrence, Billy Joel, September, Whitney Houston, Sammy Rae & the Friends, Silk Sonic, and KC & The Sunshine Band all have in common? A few things, believe it or not! First, they all have incredible songs that are perfect for your wedding – whether it’s a classic like “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” or a newer hit like “Leave the Door Open” these tunes are sure to get your guests’ feet moving and hips grooving. They also all involve instruments that we here at Around Town happen to love – horns.  

Horns are having quite the comeback lately, especially with the rise in popularity for retro pop artists like Laufey, Lawrence, Lake Street Dive, Sammy Rae & the Friends, Cody Fry, Cory Wong, Vulfpeck, Cory Wong, and Jon Batiste. These bands and solo artists infuse their music with a diverse range of influences, blending genres such as funk, jazz, pop, and rock to create a fresh and eclectic sound that appeals to contemporary audiences seeking something different from mainstream pop. The genre itself often incorporates elements of classic funk, soul, and R&B, which have a timeless quality that transcends generations. The music tends to evoke a sense of nostalgia for past musical eras, such as the 70s and 80s, which resonates with both older audiences who experienced these periods firsthand, and younger listeners who are drawn to the vintage sound and style.This appeal to a broad audience base contributes to the growing popularity. It’s also what makes it such a perfect genre to incorporate into your wedding and reception – it’s one of the few parties you’ll throw in your life that has such a diverse guest list, ranging from your grandparents to your nieces and nephews, with all your friends and family in between. 

With this in mind, it’s important to think about how to get all of those diverse guests out on the dance floor – and we think that horns are your answer. We’ll start by raving about all the fabulous qualities horns bring to the band’s sound, and in case we haven’t convinced you they’re a great idea by then, we’ll also bust out a list of just how many incredible party songs involve horns. And hey, if we happen to give you ideas for your song requests or special moments, fantastic! 

Horns, whether a saxophone, trumpet, or trombone, can be a unique and exciting addition to a wedding band for several reasons:

1. Unique Sound: Horns add a distinctive and rich sound to the music, enhancing the overall auditory experience for guests! Their presence can elevate the atmosphere and make the wedding celebration more memorable. 
2. Versatility: Horns are versatile instruments that can adapt to various music genres, including classical, jazz, pop, and more. This versatility allows our live wedding bands to cater to diverse musical preferences among guests, ensuring that everyone finds something to enjoy
   
3. Elegant Aesthetic: Brass instruments, particularly trumpets and saxophones, have a very elegant and sophisticated appearance that can complement the formal ambiance of a wedding ceremony or reception. They can also add a touch of glamor to the band’s visual presentation – nothing quite literally shines like the light catching on a brass instrument!
   
4. Energy and Excitement: The vibrant and dynamic sound of horns can inject energy and excitement into the performance, encouraging guests to dance and celebrate throughout the event. This lively atmosphere contributes to the overall enjoyment of the wedding festivities and keeps toes tapping. No one can stand still at a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade, or in the presence of a Parisian sidewalk jazz quartet – your wedding music should have the same effect on your guests: giving them the irresistible urge to dance!
   
5. Memorable Performance: Incorporating horns into the wedding band creates a unique and memorable musical experience for the couple and their guests. It adds a special touch to the celebration, making it stand out from typical wedding entertainment options. Whether it’s a soulful saxophone solo during the first dance or a brass fanfare to announce the newlyweds, horns have the power to make key moments in the wedding ceremony and reception even more special and unforgettable.
   
6. Professionalism and Quality: Hiring horn players also demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and quality entertainment, which signals to your guests that you’ve invested in your wedding band, and the band has invested in talented musicians who will deliver an exceptional performance. This attention to detail can enhance the overall aesthetic of the wedding and leave a lasting impression on attendees.

Overall, horns can be the perfect addition to a live wedding band, offering a combination of unique sound, versatility, elegance, energy, and memorable performance that enhances the overall wedding experience! 

Now that we’ve convinced you to add horns to your Around Town band, it would be just rude of us not to include a few killer song suggestions to help you utilize them! 

• “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang: This iconic funk and disco anthem features lively horn arrangements that are perfect for getting guests on the dance floor and setting a celebratory mood.
• “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire: Featuring vibrant horns and irresistible grooves, this disco-funk masterpiece is an excellent choice for bringing joy and energy to the dance floor.
• “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder: With its upbeat tempo and soulful horn arrangements, this feel-good classic is perfect for celebrating your love and commitment.
• “My Girl” by The Temptations: This soulful Motown ballad, complete with beautiful horn arrangements, is a romantic choice for special moments like the first dance or father-daughter dance! 
• “Boogie Shoes” by KC & The Sunshine Band: As soon as the horn riff hits the opening notes, you can hear the crowd cheer and see the energy lift. A great mid-tempo song, even older hips and knees can get into the groove of this one! 
• “Do You Wanna Do Nothing with Me?” by Lawrence: With its sweet, funny and romantic lyrics, laid-back groove, and soulful horn arrangements, this song is ideal for slow dances or romantic moments during the reception.

And these are just the songs that already have horns in their arrangements! You’ll be amazed at how many songs that don’t originally have horns in their arrangements are utterly elevated by their addition. We can certainly promise that adding horns to your live wedding band will make for a night to remember and a dance floor to never forget!

In the whirlwind of modern romance, Julia and Matthew found themselves caught in the crosshairs of fate, their love story unfolding across miles and moments that would shape their lives forever.

Their journey began with a simple swipe on Bumble in early 2019, a digital connection that bridged the gap between Julia’s life as a globetrotting tennis player and Matthew’s career as a medical resident in Charlottesville, Virginia. Despite the geographical distance between them, sparks flew through their virtual exchanges, leaving them with a hopeful promise: “If you’re ever in New York…”

December 2019 brought a twist of fate when Matthew found himself in New York during a trip back from visiting family. Seizing the opportunity, he reached out to Julia, proposing a meetup on Long Island. Little did they know, this fateful encounter would set the stage for a remarkable journey ahead.

Their first face-to-face meeting at Bar Frites in Greenvale, N.Y., was nothing short of magical. As they delved into deep conversations and shared laughter, a profound connection blossomed between them. Julia, captivated by Matthew’s sincerity, found herself drawn to him in ways she hadn’t anticipated.

With Matthew’s impending move to New York City for a fellowship in June 2020, the stars seemed to align for the couple. However, fate had other plans. Covid lockdowns ensued, trapping Julia in Charlottesville for what was meant to be a brief visit. What began as a temporary rendezvous turned into an unexpected three-month cohabitation, marked by shared meals, outdoor adventures, and cozy nights in.

As Covid restrictions eased, the couple returned to their respective lives in the New York City area. Matthew pursued his medical career, while Julia, recovering from a tennis injury, transitioned into sports journalism. Despite their divergent paths, their bond only grew stronger, and by September 2022, they knew they were meant to be.

In a serendipitous twist of fate, Matthew proposed to Julia during a picturesque stroll along the water in Tarrytown, a moment that encapsulated the beauty of their love story. Now residing in Tarrytown, the couple embarked on a new chapter of their lives together, cherishing the memories of their proposal spot visible from their apartment window.

Under the crisp November sky, and in unseasonably warm weather, Matthew and Julia exchanged vows in an enchanting outdoor ceremony at the historic Hempstead House in Sands Point, NY. As guests gathered, the gentle breeze carried the strains of JVKE’s “Golden Hour,” played poignantly by Around Town’s incredibly talented pianist, setting the perfect tone for the procession. All eyes turned as Julia made her grand entrance, radiant in her stunning lace gown with its off-the-shoulder sleeves, to the timeless tune of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” Against the backdrop of Hempstead House’s Celtic castle, the former estate of the Guggenheim family, the two were married. As they sealed their union with a kiss, the joyful jive of Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day” filled the air, oh-so-aptly. 

Inside the Gatsby-era castle, Around Town’s jazz trio provided the perfect ambiance for the cocktail hour, which was already starlit at 5 o’clock thanks to the early sunsets of November. This was, of course, only a warm up to a very lively and memorable reception. 

The bridal party entered to a classic (and incredibly appropriate) bop, as Around Town’s live musicians provided a rocking rendition of The Black-Eyed Peas’ “Let’s Get it Started,” and the bride and groom entered just after to Barry White’s soulful “You’re the First, the Last, my Everything.”  

The absolute show-stopper of the night, however, was the couple’s first dance. As Around Town’s fabulous band crooned Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?]’ Julia and Matthew took to the dance floor for a gorgeous choreographed dance that left the room with not a dry eye to be found. And the waterworks didn’t stop there! Julia and her father danced their Father/Daughter dance to Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” and Matthew and his mother shared a lovely moment to The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun.” 

The fun lasted well into the night, and this lovely couple’s witty musical taste just didn’t quit! The two cut their cake to another Bill Withers’ classic, “Just the Two of Us” and the bouquet was tossed to the jockeying unmarried ladies of the party to Kool and the Gang’s “Ladies Night.” Julia and Matthew and the phenomenal Around Town musicians made sure that no one felt like leaving the dance floor that night, busting out hits like Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ “Oh What a Night,” Andy Gibb’s “I Just Want to be Your Everything,” and The Beatles’ “Here, There, and Everywhere.” 

Of course, the party had to end sometime – so their lives together could begin! Julia and Matthew exited the stunning castle, to wall an aisle of their friends and family with sparklers, to reach their fabulous vintage getaway Rolls Royce. 

One, two, three-four-five, 

Everybody in the car, so come on, let’s ride! 

…Did we get Lou Bega’s ‘Mambo No. 5’ stuck in your head? Easy to do, the song is undeniably catchy and it certainly never fails to make people want to dance! Which is why this next sentence may come as a surprise: 

We strongly recommend not playing this song on your wedding day. 

GASP – SHOCK! HORROR! WHY???? 

Simply put, the same or similar reason we’re going to recommend a whole list of songs not to play on your wedding day: these particular lyrics are all about someone who is seeing at least ten women at the same time (though shout-out to Rita and Sandra for being the only two to be mentioned in both a verse and the refrain?). On your wedding day, these lyrics may not quite convey what you’re hoping to in terms of eternal and true love. 

So, as NYC’s premier entertainment company, with 5 of the most-lauded live wedding bands in the tristate area, Around Town Entertainment is here to help you make sure the music at your wedding is full of good vibes only! Below, we’ve broken it down to a few different categories of thematic material you may not want to feature on your special day, and included lists in each of those categories because we believe that when planning your wedding, choosing the music should be the easiest and most fun part! So without further ado, let’s get into it! 

Songs that Insult Your Partner (or her Family)

Let’s face it, we all love a song with a witty little jab for an ex. There’s something eternally satisfying about cleverly putting someone in their place. However, your wedding doesn’t seem like the time or place for these songs, since your partner is presumably someone that you want to spend the rest of your life complimenting – you chose to marry them because they aren’t like the lyrics in the following songs: 

‘You’re So Vain’ – Carly Simon

‘You Give Love a Bad Name’ – Bon Jovi 

‘Highway to Hell’ – AC/DC 

‘I Hate Everything About You’ – Three Days Grace 

‘Gold Digger’ – Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx

‘That Don’t Impress Me Much’ – Shania Twain 

‘Bad Romance’ – Lady Gaga

‘Mother-In-Law’ – Ernie K-Doe

This last one isn’t about your partner, is funny, and may even be apt for your relationship with your new Mother-In-Law, but it probably isn’t one you want to play the very day she becomes your family; not if you want to start out on the right foot! 

Songs About Cheating 

This one… feels like it should be the most obvious category. It’s your wedding day and you just promised to love and cherish one another in sickness and in health ‘til death do you part. Songs about cheating on your partner just don’t fit the bill for this special day. We’re also going to start this list off with a hot take: the first song is still about cheating, even if they do end up back with the partner they started with and never technically see anyone else. Fun as it is, we don’t encourage it for your wedding! 

‘Escape (The Piña Colada Song)’ by Rupert Holmes 

‘Before He Cheats’ by Carrie Underwood 

‘Unfaithful’ – Rihanna 

‘You Know I’m No Good’ – Amy Winehouse 

‘Cry Me a River’ – Justin Timberlake 

‘Jolene’ – Dolly Parton 

Songs About Leaving or Breaking Up 

This also feels exceedingly obvious as a category. And while there is certainly a time and place to belt out some of the following bangers, your wedding is probably not one of those times and places, since we’re very much hoping your love is here to stay! 

‘Thank U, Next’ – Ariana Grande

‘You Can Go Your Own Way’ – Fleetwood Mac 

‘50 Ways to Leave Your Lover’ – Paul Simon 

‘Bad Blood’ – Taylor Swift 

‘I Will Survive’ – Gloria Gaynor 

‘Since U Been Gone’ – Kelly Clarkson 

‘I Will Always Love You’ – Dolly Parton (covered by Whitney Houston) 

Songs That Make Your Grandma Blush
(Or are generally tasteless) 

We’re sure your grandma is a cool grandma. She’s YOUR grandma after all. And while TikTok has certainly revealed its fair share of cool, rebellious grandmas, we also know there’s every chance that your grandma or another of your guests could be easily offended by the… racier content in some of the following songs. These songs might be perfect for your bachelorette night, but your wedding reception maybe isn’t the time. Additionally, some songs, we can acknowledge in 2024, simply aren’t appropriate (if they ever were). 

‘Bootylicious’ – Destiny’s Child 

‘Baby Got Back’ – Sir Mix-A-Lot 

‘My Humps’ – The Black-Eyed Peas 

‘Candy Shop’ – 50 Cent feat. Olivia

‘Every Breath You Take’ – The Police (Stalker vibes!) 

Songs About Lost Love

Your wedding day is all about celebrating the full and hopefully long lives you’ve just promised to share! These songs are ones that, stunning as they are, focus on love that’s been lost, either to life’s circumstances or (gulp) death. So again, while they might put you in your feels or even be a personal favorite, we think there are better times to play these particular songs than on your wedding day. 

‘Make You Feel My Love’ – Adele 

‘Yesterday’ – The Beatles 

‘Tears in Heaven’ – Eric Clapton 

‘White Wedding’ – Billy Idol 

While this list certainly isn’t a complete list with every song that maybe shouldn’t make an appearance on your wedding day, these categories and examples should give you a good set of questions to ask yourself before selecting a song. Even more helpfully, we’ve provided a list of songs that we know are classics and hits your guests will love – when you book us, you get to highlight ones you like to your heart’s content so we get a sense of your style and vibes! While we may not get the chance to play all of them, we can promise your day will be full of crowd-pleasing, bopping, non-problematic tunes. 

Congratulations! You booked Around Town Entertainment for your wedding, and now it’s time to pick out the music. We happen to like the sound of music around here, so we’re going to start at the very beginning – we hear it’s a very good place to start. The beginning, of course, is your ceremony music! While your cocktail hour gets a lovely jazz trio, and your reception will, we’re sure, be full of lots of danceable tunes; the ceremony can be tricky because this moment, more than most, is one where your creative license can truly run wild. 

The music for your ceremony can be the most instrumental (pun intended) part of setting the tone and telling your guests precisely who you are as a couple and what’s important in your relationship. Your ceremony also presents the unique opportunity to create a story arc – your procession can begin with a song or songs that remind you of how your relationship began, and by the end the two of you can exit to a song that conveys your hopes and intentions for the future! Today, we’ll be diving into this idea a bit more, since it’s a little less conventional. 

Since there are three main sections of music – your bridal party procession, the bride’s entrance, and the recessional – we’ve broken each of them down in their own section of this blog and filled them with questions & suggestions to get you started in building your perfect ceremony! 

Seventy-Six Trombones Led the Big Parade 

The procession of your grandparents, parents, and bridal party likely won’t come with 76 trombones, but depending on the size of your bridal party, the length of the processional music can vary greatly! That’s why it’s often important to choose multiple songs, and maybe even one more than you’ll think you’ll need, just in case (though when you make the list, put the most essential songs in the top 2, knowing you may not need the songs after that). 

Now we come to the big questions: 

What is the overall vibe of your wedding? Are you looking for something classic and romantic? How about something sweet and simple? 

Do the two of you have a favorite film? Some popular wedding procession choices include “Concerning Hobbits” from ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’, or “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in the style of Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. 

Is there a TV show you both love? Consider using the theme song or a song from a meaningful moment in the show. “The Office” is a great example of a show with a beautiful theme song that is well suited to a piano or guitar cover, and recent smash hit “Bridgerton” is full of stunning orchestral arrangements of more modern pop songs that could be perfect for your bridal party’s entrances. 

How about a favorite band or artist? Was there a concert you attended together that made a certain song all the more meaningful? 

Use this time to tell your love story! Your procession music can tell your story from start to present – In three songs or less, do you think you can tell the story of how you met, how you first fell in love, and the love you came to when you decided to spend the rest of your lives together? 

At Last, My Love Has Come Along

Mark Gordon and Harry Warren really nailed it with the lyrics to this classic popularized by Etta James – and it’s how we hope you feel when you see each other from opposite ends of the aisle as the bride’s part of the procession begins! This is another moment to really tell your guests the story of your love, while all their eyes are on you. Is there a song that immediately comes to mind as one that always makes you think of the moment you truly knew you loved your partner? Stop reading for a moment to think! 

Ok, now that you’ve thought about it, if you’re stuck or coming up empty, we do have a few ideas to get the ball rolling for you. Consider songs like Sara Bareilles’ “I Choose You” or Train’s “Marry Me”! A little too on the nose? Other popular choices include Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years,” John Legend’s “All of Me,” or Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love.” 

This Will Be An Everlasting Love 

We and Natalie Cole just know it will! And, conveniently, this song remains one of the most popular song choices for a couple’s recessional back down the aisle after being pronounced as married! But there are other choices, too, and most couples seize this opportunity to pick a song that stays consistent with the theme of telling their guests just how much hope they have for their future together. Disney lovers have been known to use “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, Hall & Oates’ “You Make My Dreams” is an eternally fun bop (Even if their partnership didn’t survive the test of time, we’re sure yours will so don’t let that deter you from using the song!), and Stevie Wonder remains quite a king of the wedding music scene with the ever-so-apt “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” 

For this moment more than any other in the ceremony, we recommend something truly celebratory – it’s the start of your life together, and, more immediately, the start of the party! 

No matter what music you choose for your ceremony, our live musicians will have the perfect touch to bring your ceremony, be it intimate or grand. 

You’ve chosen the venue. The flowers. The place settings, the centerpieces, the lighting. The bridal party ensembles and guest dress code, The Dress. The time of day and its accompanying vibes. The photographer. The menu, the signature cocktail, the wine. Each element carefully chosen for the aesthetic it creates or contributes to – because you know exactly what you want your day to look, taste, smell and feel like. But what does your day sound like? The music is a huge piece of the overall theme of your wedding, so whether you’re having a classic, elegant affair, or a bubbly, quirky dance party, it’s important to choose the right sound to go with your day! That’s where Around Town Entertainment comes in, of course. As one of NYC’s top live music and entertainment companies, we’re here to help ensure that your music coordinates perfectly with the vibe you want to create for your special day. 

Think of your favorite movie. Got it? Now think of your favorite moments from the film – is there music playing under them? Film scores and soundtracks have an incredible ability to change the feeling of a moment or even the entire film, thanks to music’s ability to create or evoke an emotion. Did you know that When Harry Met Sally was originally supposed to have a contemporary soundtrack? Writer Nora Ephron and director Rob Reiner decided they simply needed to go with jazz standards, however, and brought in Harry Connick Jr. to score the film with improvisational jazz, as well as jazz standards, as he watched parts of the film; bringing that cozy, nostalgic, comforting, classic feeling that the film is known and loved for. 

Live music, more than canned, really lends itself to making sure that the sound and theme you want for your day is consistent – because live bands can modify a song from its original style so that it matches more closely with what you’re looking for. And as some of NYC’s top wedding bands, we can guarantee that your favorite songs will sound just the way you want them to. 

We’ll also help you find the right style of music to match your wedding aesthetic! From here, we’ll be digging into some aesthetics that are popular right now and what music we think coordinates well in creating a cohesive experience and vibe for your big day. Of course, what matters most is picking music that’s important and meaningful to you, but if you’re feeling stuck or don’t know what to choose, then we’re here to help you get the ball rolling and the creative juices flowing! We’ve chosen to list artists, rather than songs to get you started, but each artist’s name is hyperlinked to a song of theirs that you might consider wedding-appropriate; keep in mind all of these artists have a lot more songs though, so explore to your hearts’ content! 

Rustic or Barn Vibes: 

Rustic has been on the rise the last several years, as weddings seek simplicity and a very natural feel. Music genres that pair well with this aesthetic are bluegrass, country, folk, indie, and acoustic. Feel free to lean into songs that have more guitar or bass, or even a violin! Artists and bands that have some great music to match this vibe are George Ezra, Laura Marling, The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, and Johnnyswim. If you’re looking to go full country, then you can’t go wrong with Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and Brandi Carlile tunes! 

Vintage or Classic Elegance 

The best part of “classic” is that it will never go out of style, and incorporating vintage elements only serves to make a wedding feel truly timeless – just like your love! Classic, elegant, charming music that suits this theme perfectly tends to come from the 1940’s and 50’s with big band music and its iconic singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Nat King Cole, and Louis Armstrong. There’s even been a resurgence in this style of music recently, so you can look to artists like Laufey, Cody Fry, or Melody Gardot for new releases with slightly more modern lyrics, or even just a fresh take on an old classic. If you feel that this style of music suits your wedding aesthetic, consider adding horns to your band! This style of music is heavily characterized by brass, piano, and percussion, so if this is the sound you want, we recommend adding a saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or even all three. 

Contemporary Modern & Industrial 

The word “steampunk” comes to mind – another trend that’s been on the rise has been the industrial twist. Old warehouses, burnished brass fixtures, minimalist flower arrangements, exposed wood and brick… you can picture it easily, but what does it sound like? This one is fun because it’s so versatile, though it tends to lean towards music written after the 1950’s. This is a perfect style for getting a little edgier, heading into “urban rock,” incorporating Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Carole King, Tina Turner, Fleetwood Mac, and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Aretha Franklin, and Phil Collins. Powerhouse vocals, a great guitar or piano line, and a nice steady beat, this genre of music is sure to get your guests jumping and swaying on the dance floor. 

Whimsical or Bohemian

We won’t lie… this one is harder for us to bring suggestions for, because by their very definitions, these wedding themes are meant to be completely, utterly, and personally unique. Which means you can choose just about anything! In fact, you probably choose this wedding aesthetic because you already know exactly who you are as a couple and what kind of music the two of you prefer. So we won’t bore you with suggestions for this one and instead say: Yes! Whatever style of music you’re thinking probably works!!

There are lots of aspects that go into making your wedding day perfect, from finding the perfect florist to booking your dream band. It’s easy to get caught up in the glitz and glam of wedding planning and forget the unique love that you share together as a couple, which is the real reason for your special day.

It’s important to remember to weave in pieces of you and your partner’s personality into the wedding. Remember the reasons why you and your partner fell in love. Did you bond over your love of pizza? Did your love story start at a special spot in NYC? Do you and your partner both love a certain song?

Try to think of unique elements to your love story, because those are the small details that your wedding guests will love. Whether it’s a hand painted invitation, walking your fluffy friend down the aisle with you, or including framed photographs of loved ones that have passed, these personal wedding touches will make your guests feel the special love between the both of you.

Personalized Hankies

The wedding ceremony is a tear-jerking moment that will make some of your wedding guests emotional. It’s an especially sentimental moment for the parents of the bride, who watched their little girl grow up and waited for the day that they could walk her down the aisle.

This special detail that Meghan included at her Cape May, New Jersey wedding is perfect for the bride who wants to express her gratitude to her parents. Meghan wrote notes to her mother and father and had them embroidered on custom hankies. This is a custom wedding element that will not be forgotten.

Monogrammed Cups

Check out these personalized cups that are super easy to custom order! Guests will love having a cup that they can bring home with them to remind them of your special day. Monogram the cups with a unique element that ties in with your theme, like this one which has a compass with the couple’s initials and wedding date!

Custom Cake Topper

One of the most classic personalized elements to include on your special day is to have a custom cake topper. Some brides choose to skip this detail and opt for a custom cake instead, but we can’t get over how cute these figurines can be! Check out this custom cake topper of a bride and her groom in his U.S. Marine Corps dress blues!

Signature Drinks

One unique detail that a lot of brides and grooms are choosing to include on their special day is a signature drink. Madeline and Joe chose to name one of their drinks after their pet dog, Louie. The drink was called “Louie’s Mint Drool-ups,” and they featured a picture of their adorable pup next to the sign. If you opt for this custom wedding idea, guests will love the personalization when they go to get a drink at the bar!

Custom Wedding Hashtag

In the day and age of Instagram and other social media networks, having a wedding hashtag is extremely important! Finding the perfect wedding hashtag can be difficult, but there are many online hashtag generators that you can use. 

Having a wedding hashtag ensures that all of your wedding guests post the pictures from your special day under a specific hashtag, so you can view them all after the wedding. It’s a great custom wedding idea that is completely free!

Puppy Love

What’s more personal than your own pup walking down the aisle on your big day? Include your fur baby in your celebrations to add a unique element to your wedding. Your wedding guests won’t be able to stop smiling when they see the bride and groom being blessed by their dog at the end of the aisle.

Custom Cookies

Did you and your love meet in a certain city? If so, you can include unique elements that represent the city you fell in love in.

Custom Corn Hole Boards

Having an outdoor wedding? If so, include yard games like corn hole that will let your younger guests play while the adults mingle and converse. You can even customize corn hole boards to represent meaningful things in your life as a couple.

Watercolor Map Invitations

One of the latest trends among brides and grooms looking for ways to include custom elements in their wedding is to have hand painted wedding invitations. These gorgeous watercolor invitations will get your guests excited to attend your wedding

Custom Themed Socks

Is your wedding themed? For many brides and grooms, a theme is central to the wedding planning process. Include unique elements to your themed special day, such as bridal accessories, to carry through your theme in every intricate detail.

Live Painter at Your Reception

One super unique touch to include on your special day is to hire someone to paint your wedding reception live. Not only will guests love the interactive feel of watching the painting becoming more and more complete throughout the night, you will also have an irreplaceable piece of artwork from your wedding day to bring home.

Song Serenade

Last but not least, if you share a favorite song with your partner you can share a special first dance to a song that means a lot to you. If you are blessed with a partner who knows how to play an instrument or sing, maybe they will surprise you with a song serenade to show their undying love.

If you are interested in having a live band or DJ at your wedding to help make your song serenade go seamlessly, contact us here at to make your dreams a reality!

Once the magic of your recent engagement starts to fade, the wedding planning panic starts to set in. But have no fear, wedding planning nowadays is easier than ever with the help of the internet. It is super easy to find real reviews from other brides and grooms to make sure you find the perfect live band for your wedding.

Why Is Finding the Perfect Wedding Entertainment So Important?

Your live wedding band can make your wedding unforgettable, so it’s important to take the time to consider which entertainment is right for you.

When planning your special day, there are a few things you want to consider when looking for the perfect entertainment. One of our biggest wedding pro tips is to look for live bands that are well reviewed by lots of people. This assures that on your special day, everything will go to plan and you will feel confident that your live band will be professional, sound exactly how you imagined, and that the same band members that made you choose them will be there on your wedding day.

Some entertainment companies choose to arrange bands and change out different band members, but here at Around Town Entertainment, we assure you that what you see is what you get. All of our bands are passionate about music and pride themselves on being top tier wedding professionals, which is what makes our bands the best in the NYC region!

All of our live wedding bands are committed to creating top-notch entertainment. They consistently earn 5-star reviews on Wedding Wire, The Knot, ZOLA, Google, and Yelp. The Around Town bands have experience performing at the highest level venues around the NYC area.

We have compiled a list of the top ways to find real reviews for your live wedding band. Use these resources to make sure your entertainment matches what you want your special day to be like. One helpful tip for future brides is to use all these resources to look for the perfect wedding day entertainment. Just because a band has great reviews on one platform doesn’t mean that you should pick them immediately. Do your research and make sure the live wedding band is well reviewed among all or many of these platforms before booking them.

Wedding Wire

Wedding Wire is a fabulous resource for future brides and grooms. Besides offering different planning tools such as wedding registries and websites, Wedding Wire also has a specific section on their site for vendors. When looking for wedding bands, select your budget and region and it will narrow the results for you. From there, it is important to not just look at the amount of stars or reviews the band has, but the actual text of the reviews.

Here is a perfect review of what you should look for when looking for wedding entertainment on Wedding Wire:

“I’d give so many more stars. We couldn’t be happier to recommend Around Town Entertainment — they absolutely helped make our wedding so incredible. From booking to wedding day; entire process working with Adam was so easy and seamless – he gave us great guidance on our ceremony, cocktail and reception selections and helped us feel so confident in their ability to work with our venue and walk us through the day’s timeline. We ended up using violin and piano for our ceremony, a jazz trio for cocktail and full band with an added horn section and it was AMAZING – so worth it! Our guests are still raving about the band and people came up to us during the wedding and called us after to ask how we found them– they were so impressive! I was most nervous about music because we have such a varied musical taste and they delivered above and beyond! Everything from house music to R&B and classic hits. Our first dance was a Lauryn Hill R&B inspired cover and I am still stunned at the amazing performance they put on. They learned every song we requested, read the crowd and kept the party going all night long. Truly just such amazingly talented musicians and wonderful to work with.”

The Knot

Another site that is extremely helpful for future brides and grooms is The Knot. Similar to Wedding Wire, this site is helpful for anyone who is looking for professional wedding vendors. 

Wedding Venue and Planner Suggestions

Another route that you can go when looking for a wedding band is to ask your wedding planner or wedding venue! Usually wedding planners and venues have connections with high quality entertainment groups that they can suggest. They are also on the ground at weddings constantly and know exactly which direction to point you in based on your needs!

YouTube

One way to double check that your wedding band are going to be exactly how you imagine is to search for them on Youtube. Usually the entertainment company that the band is affiliated with will have a Youtube page with lots of live wedding content and professional promo videos. If the company does not, or you can’t find anything about your wedding band on YouTube, that may be a red flag.

Word of Mouth

If you have friends who were recently married or family members who had a great live band at their wedding, ask them who they booked! Word of mouth is a great way to find out what your close friends and family will enjoy at your reception.

Instagram

One of the more recent ways that brides and grooms have been looking for wedding bands and is through Instagram. Many bands will have their own specific Instagram page where you can see videos and content from real weddings that they have performed at. On Around Town Entertainment’s Instagram page, you can check out loads of real content from our lovely brides and grooms!

Book Your NYC Wedding Band 

If you want expert entertainment for your big day, contact us today to speak with an entertainment specialist and we’ll find the best fit for you! We are passionate about making your wedding dreams come true through the gift of live music, and we treat your big day like it’s ours!

Once you’ve shared your heartfelt vows, and said “I do,” and your ceremony comes to a close, it’s time to get the party started! While your ceremony is every bit as important, your reception truly provides the opportunity to celebrate your nuptials in whatever way you choose. Whether you’re planning a unique cocktail hour with plenty of food stations, a sit-down dinner, or a beach party, a memorable wedding entrance idea can help you set the tone for the rest of the evening. Whether you’re hoping to make a grand, jaw-dropping entrance, simply plan something meaningful, or get your entire wedding party in on the fun, there are several options available to every couple. 

The decision is yours—but be sure to make the choice intentionally. This will be your first introduction as a married couple. Why not make it special? Need inspiration to get started? Read on for creative wedding entrance ideas to find the perfect fit.

Go Big on Entertainment

If you’re planning on hiring performers or a unique entertainment act for your party, consider working with them to coordinate a one-of-a-kind wedding reception entrance. 

Prepare a Wedding Party Performance

Are you a musical theater enthusiast? Were you part of an a cappella troupe in college? If so—and if you have a few other music aficionados in your midst—turn your wedding entrance into a song-and-dance number that your bridesmaids and groomsmen can join in on. 

Kick Off the Dance Party

Ready to get your groove on? Enter your reception space to a favorite song and coordinate a dance right off the bat. This is sure to draw attention and set the mood for the party (not to mention get everyone out on the dance floor).

Have Fun With a Wedding Band

If you’re planning a destination wedding in a place that speaks to your culture, why not embrace local music? Have a wedding band escort you to your reception space to get the party started, for example.

Engulf the Ceiling

While adorning the band stage itself is a must, you can also make use of the negative space above the stand. Draping reflective spheres from the ceiling is a stunning option for glamorous affairs. Not only will the surface match the textures used throughout your décor, but these decorations will also draw the eye upward and play with depth and dimension by reflecting the dance floor. Consider incorporating unique uplighting to cast fun patterns on the ground, which is what this couple did at their New Year’s Eve wedding in New York.

Suspend a Flower Chandelier

You can also dress up the ceiling above your band stage by hanging a flower chandelier. Suspending an overhead installation of blossoms will evoke a lush and ethereal feel at your reception, especially for garden nuptials. Mix different types of flowers and greenery to incorporate multiple textures and add an artistic touch. For a cohesive look, adorn the actual stage with matching florals.

Include Mood Lighting

Embellishing your band stage with light fixtures will create the right mood for your post-ceremony party. Hanging globes stuffed with tea lights that float above your podium will illuminate the space once the sun sets, creating a romantic atmosphere. A neon sign featuring your name, like this couple used at their nuptials in NYC, will also help cast a warm glow over your evening while personalizing your setup.

Use an Existing Door

Looking for a simple wedding entrance idea? Use an existing feature at your venue. You can dress it up with greenery and blooms and create a beautiful entrance by walking through to your reception space, hand-in-hand.

Try Theatrics

Love the theater? Why not have some fun? Because this couple utilized a theater as their reception venue space, they made a statement by descending and appearing through a trap door. How magical!

Play an Entrance Song

Choose a meaningful song that speaks to your relationship to announce your nuptials. This will help set the tone for the entire reception—and is a great way to connect your wedding entrance idea to your love story.

Take the Stairs

If your reception space has stairs, be sure to use them! Dress them up with bundles of blooms, or keep things plain and simple. Either way, it’s a space that’s sure to draw attention as you and your partner enter the venue.

Take a Trolley

Consider traveling to your reception venue in style! Arrive via trolley for a fun and festive option—and consider having your guests line up to greet you as soon as you step off your ride.

Deck Out a Bus

All aboard the bus! Transport your guests to your reception space with a personalized bus. Ride in style with everybody else, or follow behind in your custom transportation.

Make a Speech

Before making your way into the crowd, give a speech. This is such a great time to welcome guests to your reception and to share your gratitude for everybody being there to celebrate.

Put On a Show

Planning something glam? Make a Hollywood entrance! Performers escorted this couple into their reception space to command attention. 

Include Live Music

Having live music can provide such a special touch and is a great wedding entrance idea. Have a violinist or guitarist begin playing a sentimental song as you and your partner enter your reception.