Your wedding guests can enjoy a variety of soul music.
If you and your spouse-to-be enjoy soul music, think about hiring a soul wedding band to play at your wedding festivities. Soul bands can usually play a variety of Memphis Soul, swingy Texas soul, electric sounding Chicago soul and other styles of music fitting for a wedding ceremony and reception.
Finding a Soul Band
Finding the perfect band can help set the tone for a reception. Start looking for a soul wedding band at least six months before the wedding date. More popular bands tend to be booked up far in advance. Ask friends or family members for suggestions if they have recently gotten married or attended a wedding where a soul band played. Wedding professionals will likely have information about various wedding bands in the area; speak with them about suggestions of soul bands.
Interviewing Soul Bands
Once you have found some soul bands, interview them and request references. Ask whether they have a video or some audio of their music, or whether they can even play live for you. Find out how many members make up the band, what instruments they play, how many different styles of soul music they play and whether they play any other music. If you would like to hear any special songs or instruments on your wedding day, ask about them during these interviews.
Wedding Ceremony
A live soul band can play live music for your ceremony if the venue has room for them to set up. Set up the band in the front so all your guests can see them playing while enjoying the music. Soul songs fit for the wedding ceremony include "You & I" by Stevie Wonder, "Here and Now" by Luther Vandross and "My Love, Sweet Love" by Patti LaBelle. If your wedding ceremony will take place at your church, have the church choir sing along with some of the soul music.
Reception
Set up the soul band at your reception in an area with plenty of room near the dance floor. Most bands will let you know in advance how much space they require. Have them play some slower soul music during the meal, if you are providing one. Select a special song for the bride and groom dance, such as "I Was Made to Love Her" by Stevie Wonder or "Spend My Life With You" by Eric Benet. For the father of the bride and bride dance, have the band play "Hero" by Mariah Carey or "I'll Be There" by the Jackson Five. During the mother of the groom and groom dance, the band could play songs such as "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole or "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" by Stevie Wonder.
