[IrishBride]

I am of irish decent and want an Irish wedding, right down to the hand binding, pipers, Irish dancers and traditional Irish music. HOWEVER my fiance is of Mexican/Polish decent and although he doesn't mind if we have an Irish band playing, some of his family does and have made snotty comments about it. I understand that this is OUR wedding, but I do want people to have fun. I was thinking about having them play for the last hour of the wedding, my idea is that they will be sufficiently lubricated enough to enjoy or at the very least endure the music. It is important to me to have my heritage displayed, but I don't want his family to leave in a mass exodus...HELP!!

[Nancy Tucker]

Dear Live Irish Music,

Do confer with your bandleader to see what can be included in the play list that will incorporate both cultures and keep everyone happy. Holding specific music for his family until the last hour could backfire since the mass exodus could start long before that. It's a small concession that doesn't need to become a major issue. Compromise and enjoy.

[MusiConcepts]

We think it would be important to start out not only your wedding, but your marriage, by honoring both traditions right from the beginning. If you're going to hire both kinds of musicians, rather than leave your fiances family till the end of the reception, you can alternate both styles of music throughout. You should also have a blend of modern and pop so all your guests feel included. Reconsider leaving your fiances style of music to an afterthought, and make the feel right from the getgo, that they are included in your life as well. It will pay off in your future realtionship.

[IrishBride]

Thank you very much for your help but I don't think I explained myself properly. Neither he nor his family wants a Polka band or a Mariachi band at the wedding so I am not leaving anyone out in the cold as far as the music is concerned. However when I asked my fiance about the Irish music he said yes, he likes the music and we attend many festivals together, I'm just worried about his mom and dad, they dont want a Polka/Mariachi band but they don't want an Irish one either. I want to make both families happy, I just don't know how. Should I get a mixture of all three so everyone feels represented even though his side doesn't want their music? Or just say to hell with it it's only an hour you can live with it. It's not about saying I don't want to honor their heritage...they don't want a polka/mariachi band....sigh I said that already, I just want everyone to have a good time and I don't want to see his families eyes rolls out of thier head when the Irish Rovers get up on stage. Do you see my dilemma?

[MusiConcepts]

If you're sure his family doesn't care about having their music played, then we don't think there is a problem with playing the Irish music as long as it isn't overwhelming. Some of it interspersed throughout might be just lovely. A whole night of it too much. You might want to consider the other guests of other ethnicities and varied ages, and play a variety of music styles. The more your guests feel included, the more memorable your wedding will be. Music is the "good time" factor at the wedding, so your choices should keep that in mind. We're sure you can create the right balance to satisfy everone.

[The Music Pros]

You might consider obtaining the professional services of a DJ/MC to help level out the evening and ensure you have the various types of music you want and need to make your event a success.

Many weddings and receptions have wedding singers, harpists, bagpipe players, live band etc., and still have a DJ/MC provide such services to help coordinate the event, emcee the evening, and provide their equipment for those who wish to make toasts and such.

You could have the DJ play Irish music from some of the best performers in the world, and throw in a few hot tangos or other latino dance hits that will get the crowd moving.

Better yet, find a good ol' Irish DJ with a fun personality and your evening might be set with no need for worry about your guests needing to be "sufficiently lubricated" to enjoy your reception.

hmmm gets me to humming... when Irrrrish eyes are smiling......