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Outdoor ceremony music

SSmith14SSmith14
First Comment
in Wedding Ceremony & Reception Music Discussions
Hello everyone! I am getting married outside at a garden/park and need help on what to do about music. Our ceremony site is a gazebo but it doesn't have electricity. I talked to our dj and he said he would have to use a generator in order to provide music at the ceremony. To me, that would be too loud and possibly tacky at the ceremony site. Also, the Dj provides the officiant with a microphone which we want but do not really want to have a generator just for our dj to be at the ceremony. Anyone have suggestions about ceremony music that is inexpensive?
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Re: Outdoor ceremony music

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    100 Comments
    We bought a portable karaoke mashine...so we can hook up our ipod to it for wedding music and have a microphone for the pastor. It was about 50 bucks
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  • SSmith14SSmith14
    First Comment
    Oh good idea! Thanks!!
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  • alenglishalenglish member
    10 Comments
    Have you thought about doing live music instead of a DJ? There are a variety of live performers you can hire. Not all of them play just classical or are stuffy/boring. Look around and think outside the box! : )
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  • SSmith14SSmith14
    First Comment
    Yea we looked into getting a guitarist but don't know where to start and we are unsure how we would have the officiants voice projected if we don't have a microphone. Which our dj provides a microphone but id rather have a guitarist. Not sure where to find one.
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  • jcg98jcg98 member
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    Ask your local board for guitarist recommendations.  Links to the left under Local Wedding Boards.  Also try gigmasters.com for musicians in your area.

    My question is, if the gazebo doesn't have electricity, how will you plug in a portable karaoke machine?  

    Don't stress yourself out over this.  Either let the DJ bring in a generator (and trust him to be professional and not detract from your ceremony with it), or hire a guitarist and ask the officiant if he/she is comfortable projecting without a microphone.  
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  • jcg98jcg98 member
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_first-dance_outdoor-ceremony-music?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:29Discussion:8f496130-0cf6-4c7e-b2e0-950accabe866Post:7ff7f962-f0eb-41f1-aea9-713545ca2900">Re: Outdoor ceremony music</a>:
    [QUOTE]Have you thought about doing live music instead of a DJ? There are a variety of live performers you can hire. <strong>Not all of them play just classical or are stuffy/boring.</strong> Look around and think outside the box! : )
    Posted by alenglish[/QUOTE]

    <div>OK, really? Really???  Way to dismiss every person who has dedicated years of his or her life to musical training.</div><div>
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    100 Comments
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_first-dance_outdoor-ceremony-music?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:29Discussion:8f496130-0cf6-4c7e-b2e0-950accabe866Post:d47466d4-7a60-429b-b6ad-a361519a576d">Re: Outdoor ceremony music</a>:
    [QUOTE]Ask your local board for guitarist recommendations.  Links to the left under Local Wedding Boards.  Also try gigmasters.com for musicians in your area. <strong>My question is, if the gazebo doesn't have electricity, how will you plug in a portable karaoke machine?</strong>   Don't stress yourself out over this.  Either let the DJ bring in a generator (and trust him to be professional and not detract from your ceremony with it), or hire a guitarist and ask the officiant if he/she is comfortable projecting without a microphone.  
    Posted by jcg98[/QUOTE]

    Portable karoke machines have batteries in them as well as outlet plugs.
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  • reppunzelreppunzel member
    500 Comments
    edited January 2013
    Linda,

    Where did you find the portable karaoke machine?  We are facing a similar issue because the musicians we wanted aren't available on our wedding date (and I'm still mourning that!).

    Edit:  Thought of a few more questions  Smile

    How big of an area is your ceremony site?  How far will the karaoke machine "project"?

    Are you having someone to man/woman the iPod to cue the correct music at the proper time?  

    Thanks!
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  • pinguis81pinguis81 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    I have the same issue (on the beach ceremony) and was thinking of getting a pianist. Has anybody done that?

     I really love the Vitamin String Quartet renditions of several songs Im just worried about the musician being albe to play it. 
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  • AddieCakeAddieCake member
    10000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 25 Answers
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_first-dance_outdoor-ceremony-music?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:29Discussion:8f496130-0cf6-4c7e-b2e0-950accabe866Post:83fbc37b-d92f-4cfc-8a39-2c84c44d7fa6">Re: Outdoor ceremony music</a>:
    [QUOTE]I have the same issue (on the beach ceremony) and was thinking of getting a pianist. Has anybody done that?  I really love the Vitamin String Quartet renditions of several songs Im just worried about the musician being albe to play it. 
    Posted by pinguis81[/QUOTE]

    <div>We hired a string trio, and they had a huge reportoire of songs they can play. You just have to ask what they already have. We had to pay extra for 3 of our songs b/c they were not in their reportoire and they had to write music for it, but you just have to see what they already have available. </div>
    What did you think would happen if you walked up to a group of internet strangers and told them to get shoehorned by their lady doc?~StageManager14
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    100 Comments
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_first-dance_outdoor-ceremony-music?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:29Discussion:8f496130-0cf6-4c7e-b2e0-950accabe866Post:fba8c80e-2ce8-470d-8a6e-1b9e5f955125">Re: Outdoor ceremony music</a>:
    [QUOTE]Linda, Where did you find the portable karaoke machine?  We are facing a similar issue because the musicians we wanted aren't available on our wedding date (and I'm still mourning that!). Edit:  Thought of a few more questions  How big of an area is your ceremony site?  How far will the karaoke machine "project"? Are you having someone to man/woman the iPod to cue the correct music at the proper time?   Thanks!
    Posted by reppunzel[/QUOTE]

    I'm sorry, I just saw this post!

    I bought our karaoke mashine at Target for abou $50 (I think) - we tried it out at home and I liked it, I was planning on taking it out into the back yard and seeing how far you can hear.  We are getting married at Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, so it's a big area but we are only having about 35 guests. I actually have a day of coordinator, who will be responsible for the music.  Send me a pm if you have more questions. I figured I can always take it back if it doesn't work outside the way I want to.
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  • reppunzelreppunzel member
    500 Comments
    Thank you!   Our outdoor venue may not be working out, but I will get in touch with any further questions if we do go with that!
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