Next Level Wedding Entertainment in the Triangle

Your wedding can be as simple or as extravagant as you desire, but no matter the scale, remember that your choice of music and additional amusements will keep the energy high and contribute greatly to making your event a celebration remembered for years to come.

Start by selecting the musical centerpiece for your celebration: Will it be a live band, an ensemble or a DJ? A DJ might be the ticket for a high-energy dance party, while a live band can charm a mixed crowd of friends and family. Collaborate with your vendor to choose a music genre that complements your event’s mood, then consider what other elements you’d like to add to entertain and delight your loved ones, such as a photo booth where guests can mix and mingle while they wait to share congratulations and catch their breath between songs.

Live Wedding Bands

Live music can elevate your celebration in unforgettable ways. Allyson Tucker and Samuel Dilks experienced this firsthand when they connected with ECE Raleigh, an agency that connects couples with live performers ranging from soloists to 22-piece bands.

The two were matched with a few live music options for their Raleigh wedding reception; they ended up choosing The Dundies, a four-member band from Lynchburg, Virginia, who perform a diverse repertoire that includes oldies, country tunes and current hits.

“We looked through the song lists they had, and we [saw that The Dundies] had most of the songs we like and the newest music in their playlist,” Allyson says, adding that she and Samuel also checked out online videos of the band. “The band aligned well with our tastes.”

Allyson says she and Samuel met with the band two days before the wedding to review final song selections and compile a “no-play” list. “We wanted [the reception] to be fun and upbeat,” she says. “I still have people tell me, ‘That band was the most fun!’”

Allyson advises that engaged couples prioritize their own musical preferences when selecting a band to ensure that they enjoy the song selections. “I’ve been to other weddings where the parents of the couple had more of a choice in the band,” she says, noting that when that happens, much of the music can be unfamiliar
to many in attendance.

The Dundies’ Sample Song List

Guest Books and Photo Booths

Audio guest books, like the one from ZimZoom Photo Booth, are a sweet way for your loved ones to leave well wishes. Some vendors, such as Spark Photo Booth, offer a dial-in feature that allows anyone unable to attend your wedding to leave a message. These audio files can be saved digitally and even shared on social media.

Freeze Frame

“What we offer is not only entertainment, but also heirloom-quality photos that will last you a lifetime,” says ZimZoom Photo Booth owner Meredith Stern.

Photo booths have evolved far past the dark, enclosed booths you might have once posed in. Today, openair setups allow for customizable props and printing options, and it’s not uncommon to see 360-degree video booths and even roaming devices. All produce high-quality images that you and your guests have access
to immediately via both physical prints and digital galleries.

Meredith encourages couples to think creatively about the setting for their photo booth, which can be highly customized. “You’re not limited to a backdrop,” Meredith says. “Let’s say you have a really fun couch where people can sit, or that you can take group photos at”– this setup extends beyond the limitations of a traditional photo booth, she explains, enabling creative poses and accommodating larger groups of guests for even more fun.

ZimZoom also provides newlyweds with an extra physical print of every photo their guests took at the end of the event. Add-ons like kaleidoscope key chains and magnetic prints are also available, and make for fun party favors!

Wedding DJs

Wedding DJs are professional entertainers who can read the crowd’s energy and adapt the music to keep guests on the dance floor. They also serve as emcees, directing the flow of events throughout the evening.

Stylus S.E. owner Jason Huggins specializes in high-energy parties tailored to each couple. “We’re not just providing a playlist, we’re providing a performance,” Jason says. “We have the unique skill set, the experience and the music to do that.”

Jason says that Stylus’ goal is to customize a once-in-a-lifetime experience for every client by incorporating curated lighting, special effects and music selections to match the couple’s vision and the venue’s ambiance. These elements can have a profound impact on the vibe of your reception, and an experienced DJ can truly transform the mood of the room.

“All that really matters … is whether or not we can pack the dance floor and make sure everybody is sweaty, tired and happy by the end,” Jason says. “The crowd tells me everything I need to know without ever having to say a word.”

Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music

Hiring an instrumentalist or small ensemble to perform during your ceremony is a no brainer if you and your partner love the experience of live music. Keep in mind that you’ll need to add to your budget if you want the musicians to play through cocktail hour.

Harpist Sarah Cavaiani of Hummingbird Harmonies performs classic as well as modern love songs at weddings, crafting personalized playlists based on each couple’s preferences. “I spend quite a bit of time getting to know couples throughout the booking and planning processes,” Sarah says. “I ask about their vision, the mood they want to set, the genres of music they like and any special requests. This all helps me design an event that is unique to that couple. I mention a few things I like to play, but I find the most joy in creating the perfect for my clients.”

Sarah says she personally loves to play cinematic music from movie soundtracks, especially romantic films like “Gone With the Wind,” “The Notebook,” any Disney or other Nicholas Sparks movies, and also “Forrest Gump.” Sarah’s even been asked to play “Still Into You” by Paramore as brides walk down the aisle. “That’s super fun, because it’s a song they really love, and it also translates well to an instrumental version,” she says. “The harp is so resonant in a way that other instruments aren’t. I think there’s something that reverberates with people with that particular sound, and you can’t replicate that with recorded music.”

Hummingbird Harmonies’ Sample Playlist

• “Love Story” by Taylor Swift
• “Wildest Dreams by Taylor Swift
• “Pachelbel’s Canon” by Johann Pachelbel
• “At Last” by Etta James
• “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Harold Arlen
• “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder
• “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong

The Future of Wedding Entertainment

Spark Photo Booth owner Katie Cox says the use of AI portraits is a rising trend she’s noticed in the corporate event industry that she’s excited to see wedding clients embrace.

Spark offers the option to use cutting-edge facial recognition technology that applies filters to guest portraits, creating a unique and personalized result. A guest may decide to generate a portrait with their face shown in a retro yearbook frame, for example, or appear against an AIgenerated background in any setting,
from a Victorian castle to an ’80s scene. Algorithms can instantly adjust lighting, color balance and clarity to further enhance images.

Spark offers a few interactive options – in addition to its open-air photo and video booths – that take wedding entertainment to the next level. Spark’s custom mosaic wall blends individual guest photos into a large picture of your choosing. Another option is a custom memory match featuring images collected from the couple, “maybe photos from their childhood or engagement pictures,” Katie explains. These are used for a high-energy, interactive touchscreen game that includes a live leaderboard. “I love being part of the event industry,” Katie says. “We’re [always] evolving.”

Live Wedding Painting

Stationer and artist Ashley Triggiano sets up her easel at events and weddings to paint beautiful watercolor and acrylic scenes. She added live painting to her offerings seven years ago. Ashley says she most frequently will paint a depiction of the ceremony, venue, bridal bouquet or a portrait of the couple. a traditional band or DJ for the wedding. 

Ashley preps her canvas ahead of time and says that she will typically paint for three or four hours during an event. This is usually enough time to complete the artwork, but if it’s a more detailed or larger canvas, she’ll complete it in her studio and send it to the newlyweds. Once finished, Ashley digitizes the painting so that prints can be shared with family and friends, and even used for thank-you cards!

Still deciding between a live band, DJ or a specialty act? Elevate your wedding weekend with entertainment from ECE Raleigh!