We would be happy to do as much or as little emceeing as you would like. We have extensive experience with wedding receptions and hope this list will be a help to you in your wedding plans. This is provided to you only as an aid to bring attention to some areas you may not have considered at this point. You can provide most of the important information by completing and returning our questionnaire that we will provide to you after you have booked the band. Please feel free to send us pertinent information at any time and we'll add it to your file for future reference.

1. Place: Directions if necessary.

2. Reception facility coordinator's name.

3. Band issues:
   - The band will need to have access to standard 110 volt, 20 amp outlets and these are commonly found at all facilities. Please feel free to call to coordinate any special needs if you're using a private residence for the event.
   - The size of the performance area for the band and equipment can vary. An elevated stage is advantageous so that the guests that don't dance can still watch the band perform but a stage is not required.
   - What time will guests arrive? Should the band be set up prior to the arrival of guests?
   - Would you like to have piano or light instrumental music performed during dinner?
   - Would you like a vocalist and/or pianist at your ceremony? If so, approval is often required from the minister and/or regular organist.

4. Introductions? If so, please provide wedding party names (paired up and in order).

5. Toast: Who and when (in most cases it's best right after the announcements)

6. Blessing: Who? (Usually precedes the toast)

7. First dance: What song? Will the parents cut in? Will the rest of the wedding party cut in?

8. Will the bride dance with her father? What song?

9. Will the groom dance with his mother? What song?

10. Tossing of the garter and bouquet? Both, one, none?

11. Special requests: Any ethnic traditions we should know about?

12. Any particular songs or style of music you would like performed (or avoided)?

Meal Instructions

Any special meal instructions? Would you like the band to ask guests to pour their own toasts? Is it buffet style? If so, will the banquet hall host or hostess direct people to the serving table? Do you want to encourage dancing before dinner and prior to the first dance of the bride and groom?

Receiving Lines

Just a word about receiving lines: They work best at the church where the people are more or less "forced" to keep their trip through the line brief and their conversation short. At the reception where the atmosphere is relaxed and casual, people take too long to pass through. The lines last at least an hour with 125 guests or more and that forces the band to play two sets of atmosphere music leaving you with only two sets of dance music (for a typical four hour performance).

Miscellaneous Considerations

Please give some careful thought as to where you will seat your older guests. They usually do not prefer to be seated near the band's speaker system. We adjust the volume to the mood of the audience on the dance floor, but some older guests no longer dance and would enjoy being able to talk during the reception. Placing these guests away from the main speakers, or off to one of the sides, will help facilitate easy conversation.