Jason Mraz's Newest Love Song - Love Someone! It's Absolutely Perfect for Weddings!

Jason Mraz's album, Yes!, just released in 2014, includes another beautiful love song that is perfect to share with that special someone on your wedding day!  Love Someone's lyrics give you that warm and fuzzy feeling.  This song makes for a memorable wedding ceremony or first dance song! I highly suggest giving it a listen....it will likely be the first of many listens!

Catholic Wedding Music Guide

Catholic wedding music help!

When planning a Catholic Wedding, there is almost always a question about what music is allowed in the church.  As a general rule, you should select music categorize as sacred as opposed to secular.  When it comes to selecting processional and recessional songs, you can select from the classical selections listed below. Often times, the church classifies a classical song as sacred if it was originally commissioned by the Catholic Church.  Some churches make small exceptions to the sacred music rule for prelude songs.  Allowances may be made for songs that have a religious theme/message even though they are technically not hymns.

Prelude:
This is the one place where you have a little bit of freedom in terms of music selection.  That being said, please check with your church about their music policy before selecting your songs.

Any Music Issue or Missalette Hymn
Air on the G String
Ave Maria
The Prayer
You Raise Me Up
Where There is Love

Entrances:

Hail Mary, Gentle Woman (Mothers/Grandmothers entrance)
Bridal March
Canon in "D"
Jesus, Joy Man's Desiring
Joyful, Joyful
Trumpet Voluntary
Wedding March

Responsorial Psalm:

Any Psalm
All I Ask
Faith Hope and Love
God is Love
I Will Praise Your Name
I Have Loved You
Love Which Never Ends
O Lord I Will Sing
The Earth is Full of Beauty


Alleluia:

Alleluia, Give the Glory
Celtic Alleluia
Marriage Alleluia

Offertory:

By Name I Have Called You
Gift of Finest Wheat
Here I am Lord
I am the Bread of Life
Like a Shepherd
My Tribute
Servant Song
Song of Ruth
Taste and See
The Lord is My Hope
You are Mine
You are Near
With This Ring
Where There is Love
Wherever You Go

Sign of Peace:

Irish Blessing
Irish Wedding Song
Let There Be Peace
Prayer of St. Francis

Communion:

Amazing Grace
Behold the Lamb
Blessed are They
Eat This Bread
In Remembrance of Me
One Bread One Body
Panis Angelicus
Seek Ye First
Servant Song
Taste and See
We Remember
The Supper of the Lord

Presentation to Mary:

Ave Maria - Gounod or Schubert
Mother at Thy Feet I'm Kneeling
Hail Mary Gentle Woman
Mary's Song

Recessional:

Hornpipe
Joyful Joyful
Processional from Water Music
Rondeau
Trumpet Tune
Wedding March

60 Cocktail Hour Songs

I’m Yours	Jason Mraz
A Thousand Miles	Vanessa Carlton
A Thousand Years	Christina Perri
At Last	Ella Fitzgerald
Because You Loved Me	Celion Dion
Can’t Help Lovin’ that Man of Mine	Billie Holiday
Cherie Amore	Stevie Wonder
Come Away with Me	Nora Jones
Cry Me a River	Ella Fitzgerald/Michale Buble
Fallin For You	Colbie Caillat
Fever	Peggy Lee
Fly Me to the Moon	Frank Sinatra
Have a Little Faith in Me	John Hiatt
Hey Soul Sister	Train
Ho Hey	The Lumineers
Hallelujah	Jeff Buckley
Home	Philip Philips
How Sweet It Is	James Taylor
I Choose You	Sarah Bareilles
I Do	Colbie Caillat
I Hope You Dance	Lee Ann Womack
I Wanna Hold Your Hand	The Beatles
I Will Always Love You	Whitney Houston
If I Fell	The Beatles
Isn't She Lovely	Stevie Wonder
It Had to be You	many artists
It’s Time	Imagine Dragons
Just the Way You are	Billy Joel
Locked Out of Heaven	Bruno Mars
Love Song	Sarah Bareilles
Love Story	Taylor Swift
Make You Feel My Love	Adele
Marry You	Bruno Mars
Need You Now	Lady Antebellum
Piano Man	Billy Joel
Sara Smile	Hall and Oates
Satellite	Dave Matthews Band
Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay	Otis Redding
So High	John Legend
Some Nights	Fun.
Somebody To Love	Queen
Someday My Prince Will Come	Disney/many artists
Someone Like You	Adele
Someone to Watch Over Me	Ella Fitzgerald
Son of a Preacher Man	Dusty Springfield
Sunday Morning	Maroon five
The Nearness of You	Nora Jones
The Rainbow Connection	Muppets/many artists
Titanium	David Guetta
Tiny Dancer	Elton John
Trouble	Taylor Swift
Unforgettable	Nat King Cole
When I Fall in Love	Nat King Cole/Celine Dion
When I’m Sixty Four	The Beatles
Wind Beneath My Wings	Bette Midler
With A Little Help From My Friends	The Beatles
Wonderful Tonight	Eric Claption
You Make Lovin Fun	Fleetwood Mac
You’ve Got a Friend	James Taylor
Your Song	Elton John

Worth a listen....

A friend of mine included this song in her wedding processional!  Brian Crian's Butterfly Waltz is a great choice for a ceremony.  It is both beautiful and emotionally calming.  If you are looking for a song that is written by a contemporary composer, but that  maintains a very traditional ceremony sound check this out!

5 Quick Tips for Selecting Wedding Music

1. Consider your wedding's ATMOSPHERE

When choosing music for your wedding ceremony cocktail hour and reception, you should base your
choice on you and your fiancé music likes, as well as the music interests of your guests.

* What is the average age of your guests? Do you and your guests like rock music, R&B, Motown? Do you have a traditional or contemporary style?  Most likely, you want a nice variety of music styles.
* Do you expect that most of your guests will want to dance? Do you like to dance? If so, you probably want a high energy dance band that will play a good selection of up-tempo music and will interact with the crowd.
* If you expect your wedding to be a chatting crowd, you might want some lighter, easy listening music that will not interfere with conversation. In many cases, you might want a small ensemble for your cocktail hour or dinner hour before the dance music begins during the reception.

2. Discuss venue restrictions with your event planner, the venue's event manager or banquet manager. Before shopping for live music, speak to a representative at your venue. In all likelihood, they have seen many musicians perform during events at their venue (they know what works best). Your venue will be able to tell you where the band, ensemble or soloist can set up, how much space is available and the number of musicians that can fit comfortably in the venue. You may even learn information about sound, lighting or availability of electricity.

3. Research multiple bands

Before booking musicians, make sure that you have shopped around. If you think that you want a cappella music, make sure to research multiple a cappella groups. In addition, look into a jazz trio or a contemporary duo while you are at it. This way, when it is decision time, you have explored all of your options and you can make an informed decision.

Your research should include checking online resources (websites, social networking sites, etc.). While browsing the internet, make sure to listen to audio clips, watch video clips and read testimonials. Once you have done your initial research, contact the musicians or band that interest you.

4. Interview and/or meet with bands

Remember, the band, DJ or musicians you select are in charge of the flow of your entire event. This includes all announcements and introductions of the bridal party. The band hugely impacts the atmosphere of the event. The right choice can make your event stress free!!

That being said, make sure you speak with a representative (band leader or musician manager) throughout the planning stages of your wedding. Schedule phone meetings or plan a time(s) to sit down together. Additionally, the band leader will make sure to get all the important information from you in writing (in advance). This includes song requests.

5. Start your search early

It is often wise to book way in advance (as early as one year in advance). This guarantees availability on your date.

Begin by talking to friends and family who might be able to recommend a great music options. When you have exhausted your network, do some research on your own. Then, continue to follow the other quick tips listed in this article.

For more quick tips or information, contact Christine Petrini, Owner of Wasabi Talent

Live Music vs. DJ....What should You Choose for Your Wedding Day?

Planning your wedding?  Helping to plan a wedding or special occasion for a friend or family member?  If so, you have probably had a discussion about live music versus a DJ.

Let us break it down for you....

What do people most often remember about a wedding or special event --- Music and Food.  These two things set the tone for an event.  They create an atmosphere, vibe and flavor!

We, of course, at Wasabi, believe weddings disserve at least some live music.

Live music guarantees a great atmosphere.  It will inevitably give energy to the room and engage your guests.

Remember, live music creates ambiance.  That being said, you can hire strings for your ceremony, a small ensemble playing light standards and jazz for your cocktail hour, and a dance band for your reception!  (The options are endless).

DJ's can be appealing when there are limited space issues; however, bands come in all shapes and sizes.  Make sure you check with bands and chat with your venue before ruling out a band due to space limitations.

Yes, there's no denying that a DJ is often cheaper than a band (all the musicians need a pay day).  However, shop around! There are good bands, like Wasabi, at good prices. 

Let's face it; your wedding day is a significant and important occasion.  It should be special and unique. How many times in your life will you splurge on a band?  My guess...not many.  Let this be your opportunity.

At the end of the day, you really don't have to pick between a band and a DJ.  Wasabi partners with a DJ to offer band/DJ combination packages.  There are many options available to combine live music with a DJ (and many other bands offer these options as well).

Bands take breaks.  However, there will never be silence.  Pre-recorded music will be played during all breaks.  If you prefer certain songs as they were originally recorded by certain artists, a band can play these songs during their breaks. 

There is nothing quite as memorable as dancing your first dance with a live band playing right behind you. 

Bands look great.  They create a very visually appealing setting for you special occasion. 

Guests are likely to interact with band members.  A band has the ability to work the crowd and to wow the crowd with their performances.  This keeps the energy high and encourages people to enjoy hanging out on the dance floor.

Questions?  I've got answers.  Give us a call.  The options and possibilities for live music are endless. 

We cater to you, so let me know what you have in mind!

Wasabi Talent