CBM Helpful Information!
CBM Helpful Information!
Let’s get musical.
Welcome to Your CBM Wedding Music Guide!
If you're new to planning wedding music, especially the CBM way, this guide is for you! It's packed with information and ideas to help you choose the perfect songs for your big day.
Before you continue, it is recommended that you view this webpage on your computer as the information will be easier to access.
Here is a link to my song selections.
Lastly, in case you’d like to jump anywhere on this page, here is an index where you can click and jump to that section.
The Music: How to Choose
Instrument Guide
Ceremony
Prelude
Cocktail & Reception
The Music: How to Choose
Choosing the right number of songs…
Approximately 6 songs can be played for each 15 minute block. The following formula has proved to be the most successful for cocktail hours and receptions:
15 min: 5 must-have songs + 3 contingency songs
30 min: 11 must-have songs + 4 contingency songs
45 min: 17 must-have songs + 5 contingency songs
60 min: 23 must-have songs + 6 contingency songs
Song Selection Options:
Full Customization: You may provide a comprehensive list of every song to be performed during the cocktail hour.
Genre-Based Curation: You can specify your preferred genres (e.g., Top 40s Pop, Upbeat 1990s, Popular R&B and Pop), and CBM will curate a setlist accordingly.
Musician's Discretion: You can entrust the song selection entirely to CBM. We will utilize our expertly crafted setlists and adjust selections dynamically during the performance to best match the event's atmosphere.
Mix it up! You can also mix and match these options to craft your perfect musical selections.
Instrument Guide: Which do I choose?
You might be thinking…
There are different types of violin?!
Why yes, there are!
You probably know the classic violin, made modern in the mid-1500s in Northern Italy, the kind you see in symphony orchestras or in your younger relative’s orchestra concert.
But there are several types of violins available by CBM, and each serve a different and unique purpose! Let’s go one by one…
Classic violin “Evangeline”
As stated before, this is the “typical” or “normal” violin you see. It is made of wood and has a beautiful resonant sound.
This would be best for:
Indoor ceremony spaces with reverberate acoustics
Elegant dinners that have a classic or vintage vibe
Pros:
Has the best and most natural sound out of the 4 instruments - electric violins can sound more electronic, for a lack of a better word
Visually beautiful with it’s natural wood finish
Is less likely to require a mic in indoor ceremonies
Cons:
More susceptible to damage from the elements
Has a weaker sound in outdoor spaces
Requires more protection in outdoor spaces
V - Electric Violin “Viper”
This is a violin that will leave your audience speechless. With its modern design akin to an electric guitar, this violin has a “wow” factor that will entertain the guests all day.
This would be best for:
Indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces
Small, medium, and large spaces
Strolling/Entertainment
Energetic cocktail hours and receptions
Pros:
Has the most visual/entertainment appeal - by far the most complimented instrument of the 4
Easiest of the 4 instruments to play, resulting in a more energetic performance
It is more weather hardy
Can be amplified across any size space
Is LED capable
Cons:
Has the potential to clash with the wedding aesthetic due to its modern rock-n-roll design
Is 5% more at risk for malfunctions if there is any issues with sound equipment or pairing with DJ’s sound equipment
Leans towards an “electronic” sound, which can be remedied with “sound pedals”.
Glassy White Violin “Aurora”
This is a beautiful and elegant step away from the classic violin and towards an electric violin. It has beautiful glass wings mingled with a white body down the middle with wooden accents.
This would be best for:
Indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces
Elegant cocktail hours and dinners that have a classic yet modern vibe
Pros:
Has a more natural sound compared to other electrics
Visually beautiful in design
It is more weather hardy
Can be amplified across any size space
Cons:
Has the potential to clash with the wedding aesthetic due to its more modern design
Is 5% more at risk for malfunctions if there is any issues with sound equipment or pairing with DJ’s sound equipment
LED Electric Violin “Nova”
This instrument is another crowd favorite. With its unique 3D print build, bright LEDs, and beautiful white coloring, this violin can bring the party to the reception.
This would be best for:
Small, medium, and large spaces
Strolling/Entertainment
Energetic cocktail hours
Reception entertainment, from entrances to collaborating with the DJ
Pros:
Has the brightest LEDs out of the 4 instruments, visible in broad daylight
Has a high visual/entertainment appeal - second most complimented instrument
When the LEDs are off, the instrument has a beautiful white color that can modernize any space
Can be amplified across any size space
Is a sought-after instrument for receptions - a rising demand in the industry
Cons:
Has the potential to clash with the ceremony aesthetic due to its modern design: bright LEDs might not be suitable
Is 5% more at risk for malfunctions if there is any issues with sound equipment or pairing with DJ’s sound equipment
Leans towards an “electronic” sound, which can be remedied with “sound pedals”.
It is more weather hardy than the Classic Violin, but not as much as the Viper.
Ceremony
Ceremony
Let’s start off with one of the most anticipated segments of the day.
The ceremony.
The music can be divided up however you like. Here is a standard timeline:
Song #1: Family
Song #2: Party
Song #3: Grand entrance
Song #4: Couples exit
This can be adjusted entirely to your liking! Here is another example:
Song #1: Family
Song #2: Groomsmen
Song #3: Bridesmaids
Song #4: Grand entrance
Song #5: The couples exit
This is a great setup if the groom and groomsmen want to walk down to a fun upbeat song like “Mission Impossible” or “Another One Bites the Dust”.
If your wedding is more intimate and you’d like the song selections to be more expansive, the timeline can look like this:
Song #1: Family + Party
Song #2: Flower girl(s) and ring bearer(s), then/or grand entrance
Song #3: The couples exit
This can allow for more of the song to be played for the first group to walk down the isle and for the grand entrance to be timed with a dramatic buildup. It would also result in less musical breaks during the ceremony.
Another option is to have a medley created for the groups walking in before the bride. Here is an example.
This will allow multiple songs to be performed seamlessly while everyone glides down the isle.
You can also have a special song for a ceremony event such as a Unity Candle, Sand Ceremony, Lasso Ceremony, etc.
This usually takes place after the grand entrance and before the couples exit. The timeline would look like this:
Song #1: Family
Song #2: Party
Song #3: Grand entrance
Song #4: Unity candle
Song #5: The couples exit
Again, there is a lot of flexibility here - I’m here if you’d like to bounce ideas around!
Officiant Entrance
The officiant can walk in at several points of the ceremony.
The most common entrance is for the officiant to walk in during prelude music, make an announcement, then the ceremony begins.
A variation of this is entering during prelude music, but the ceremony begins right after (no announcement).
The next common entrance is the officiant entering first (before the family) during the first song.
The third common entrance is the officiant entering with the groom either at the very beginning of the ceremony, or after the family and before the groomsmen.
The lesser common entrances are during prelude but no music playing, entering right before the bride, and entering with the bride.
Song versions
For ceremony selections, you have the option to choose a version of a song that you’d like. There are 5 versions in which a song can be played:
Original track (like you’d hear on the radio)
Slowed down version*
Piano track
Guitar track
No track, the song will be played with violin alone
Here are some examples of what each sound like:
No track, violin alone (Young and Beautiful)
Original track (Young and Beautiful)
Piano track (Young and Beautiful)
Slowed down version (Young and Beautiful)*
Guitar track (this is NOT me but a great example!)
Each of these versions creates a unique vibe - you are welcome to request custom samples of ceremony songs so you can hear exactly what you want to hear as you walk down the isle!
I will let you know if there are any songs that are not doable in the style that you requested.
*any type of track above can be slowed down upon request
What better way to celebrate a special couple than with beautiful music greeting guests as they enter the ceremony space?
It's a fantastic way to set the tone for the anticipated ceremony.
You can have prelude in these time segments:
15 minutes | 30 minutes | 45 minutes | 60 minutes*
You will always have the option to select “musicians choice” and allow CBM to make selections. Beloved romantic songs will be performed according to the genre that you prefer.
💡Tip: Typically, if the wedding is outdoors and the weather is above 85 degrees/below 50 degrees, guests will likely hang back until 15 minutes before the ceremony starts. If this happens, I have a playlist going in the empty space so the guests don’t miss any live music. Or, we can adjust the prelude and ceremony time to allow more time for the ceremony (15 minute prelude and 45 minute ceremony).
*You are welcome to request for 1 hour of prelude music. Please note that a 10 minute break will be needed before the ceremony starts and a playlist will be played up until the start of the ceremony so that there is no break in sound.
(Click here to refer to the number of songs that can be performed per 15 minute block.)
Prelude
Cocktail Hour and Reception
Cocktail hour: the pre-party before the reception!
Cocktail hour usually happens between ceremony and reception and allows you to have photos with your family/newly-wed. It’s a great time for the guests to mingle, try your signature mock/cocktail. and be entertained by the live violinist.
Typical cocktail durations:
45 minute set | 75 minute set
60 minute set | 90 minute set
Reception is where the party begins.
The grand entrances. The dinner. The speeches. The dancing. All of which can be elevated by, let’s say, a light up electric violin and a violinist that loves to dance?!
Here are some options of how you can incorporate live dynamic violin performance into your reception:
Reception Package 1
15 - 30 minute performance
Includes guests entering the reception area
Reception Package 2
30 - 45 minute performance
including above + grand entrance(s)
Reception Package 3
45 - 90 minute performance
including above + partial dinner music
Reception Package 4
90+ minute performance*
including above and dancing**
*maximum of 240 minutes
**The dance portion of the wedding generally requires collaboration with a DJ but please contact CBM as arrangements can be discussed.
Strolling option, applicable to both Cocktail Hour and Reception
I am able to be stationary and perform in one location, or I am able to walk around and stroll while performing. If you are interested in having a strolling violinist, I will need plenty of notice for song selections so I can memorize all of the songs.
Gaps in music
If I am traveling from the grand exit song/guest exit song to the cocktail site, there will be a small gap in music. If the sites are far enough away from each other, I will have the speaker playing music during the ceremony at the cocktail hour site.
If I am traveling from the cocktail hour site to the reception site, I will finish my performance 15 minutes before reception begins and have a playlist play for the re
Suggestion: If I am performing for cocktail hour following the ceremony, having the DJ or a trusted person play the grand exit song from their/my device through a speaker (house/secondary/my/ DJ’s speaker) will allow the transition to cocktail hour to be very smooth. I'll sneak off to cocktail hour before the grand exit and be set up and ready to greet everyone with live violin music. Having the lyrics could also add to the grandeur of your exit. :-)