Wedding Reception...

Question

I was wondering if anybody's ever heard of just using a pianist for the wedding reception. I'm getting married in six weeks and my florist told me she would play for us if we got a keyboard. Any help would be appreciated. :-)

Answer 1

i dont think i would go with that idea.  I would do it throughout the dinner portion but then switch to some music all would want to dance with.

I cant c someone playing a keyboard for 4 hours.

Answer 2

We're having a live jazz band for our reception, which will include a pianist.  We aren't really dance-the-night away people, so having a DJ at our wedding is not my idea of fun.  We want music that is romantic and chilled out, and that people can dance to, but other people could enjoy just sitting and watching (what my fiance and I like to do).

The band we are booking will have piano, sax, drums, bass and a vocalist; doing a mix of slower standards and upbeat swing stuff.  If you just want to have a pianist for your reception, that's your call because it's what your taste is and how you would like to spend the reception.  

We are just going to have our first dance, father/daughter dance on CD because they are specific song by specific artists that we want for that.  So you might want to consider doing that too, so you have the option of your favourite song, no matter the style, for your special dances.

Answer 3

Well, there's a couple questions that need to be answered:

1. What kind of music does this person play?

2. Are they good?

3. I'm assuming you need to get a keyboard because they normally play piano. Can they easily make the adjustment from one to the other? It's not actually as simple as a person would think, the keys feel different and it sounds different.

My grandfather is a jazz pianist and he's played many, many weddings, but always during dinner. After dinner there is normally always a DJ.  

Answer 4

I have heard of that during dinner but not throughout the entire reception.. you wouldn't be able to dance aside from slow dancing. But would make for an elegant reception I guess..  

Answer 5

I heard of using an pianist during the cocktail/dinner hour.  Not sure about afterwards when people are usually used to dancing to either a band or a DJ.  Before you decide, see if you can hear some samples of her music to make sure that she would be good.

Answer 6

that would be really different... ask her if you can have a sample of her playing or what she would play  

Answer 7

Don't you plan to have dancing at the receptionist?  If not, a pianist could be nice.

Answer 8

Yeah - I went to one.  It was great.  Thought is was just a background CD till we saw her.

Go for it!

Answer 9

Hi.  Yes, I have heard of that....or a small ensemble and I think it would be very nice.  HOWEVER, this would be if you are strictly having a dinner (or lunch) reception....more like soft background music.  

Were you thinking of having this as dancing music?  If so, no, I have never heard of that.  

Answer 10

A background piano/keyboard is awesome. But think about this:

How well does this person play? If he/she is good, why don't they have their own keyboard?

I wouldn't want this risk unless I heard them play before agreeing to this one.

If you want to dance, most pianists couldn't carry that out on their own. You would need a DJ with CDs or a band.

Answer 11

Just piano music for a reception would be really weird. No one would dance and it would get dull quick. If she's so great why doesnt she have a keyboard?? Maybe get her to play a song while you walk done the isle only, or let her stick to flowers!