Monday 23 November 2009

Deafening music at weddings threatens the foundations of Sri Lanka’s society.

Deafening music at weddings threatens the foundations of Sri Lanka’s society. Primarily by weakening the growth of family networks which are essential to survival in a third world society. This is a serious threat to all Sri Lankans. Thankfully it is something we can all prevent if we act united — particularly since the mid year wedding season has begun.

As I have pointed out in earlier posts, weddings are the most efficient, extensive and effective social networking events in Sri Lanka. They are a critical components of the countries social infrastructure. They enable the revitalisation and growth of family networks.

Conversion is the central function by which these networking events accomplish their ageless role. Drowning out conversation by over amplified noise masquerading as music significantly degrades this vital activity. The result is an attack on core social infrastructure of our society.

The root of this evil trend — though it plays a part — is not poor audio engineering but a tragically superficial bout of stupidity. Namely, the ludicrous idea that the degree of noise pollution demonstrates the wealth and status of the families getting married.

This corrosive idea has already dug itself like a parasite into the economics of the wedding industry. Pricing for audio is based on loudness with venues competing to ensure greater levels of deafness for less. When Mrs C’s family were planning our wedding, they were offered a price-list of audio set-ups based of loudness. Apparently the wedding package person was shocked when he heard we wanted to keep the volume down so our guests could talk to each other.

Sri Lankans are responding to this threat through individual acts of ingenuity. Such as sign language, jotting down notes to each other or talking in the corridors. Others have prudently taken steps to protect their hearing. I have a relative who bought a pair of barely visible industrial grade ear plugs. He has to attend more weddings than I do which makes these a sound investment.

Obviously these stop gap measures are not sustainable in preventing a very real threat to society. The only course of action is for everyone to act united — as one country against this social pox.

What you can do:

  1. Ask for breaks in the live music with softer pre recorded music,
  2. Insist on maintaining a humane audio level for most of the event.
  3. Try to keep speakers away from tables
  4. Support friends and relatives pushing for quieter weddings.
  5. Scare off status obsessed relatives buy suggesting that loud music causes hair loss, and lowers male fertility

It doesn’t sound like much but it’s a start. Please do suggest more ideas in the comment box below.

Thankfully I don’t have to attend any weddings this year. Practically everyone in our immediate circle has got hitched or have been given up as “past expiry date”. The first wave of pregnancies have already sprouted. However, those still involved in the wedding scene, can make a defence through collective action. For the cynical levers out there I say Yes we can!

Monday 3 September 2007

Video #1 - You either hate it or love it

Wedding Reception Songs – variety is key

All your wedding reception songs and advice in one place.

What appeals to your high school friends is not going to be exactly the same as what appeals to your business colleagues. So mix things up and play some of each. If you do it right, the guests who come to the floor for KC & the Sunshine Band will stick around for Beyonce! As a general rule, wedding reception songs should be a colourful assortment of different flavours of music.

Remember, this site is loaded with playlists (and do-not-playlists), advice, as well as suggestions for albums available. All weddings receptions songs information is on the right-hand menu!

Saturday 1 September 2007

First Dance Reception Songs

The first dance is one of the most romantic moments of your wedding reception, and also the start of your evening celebrations. Perhaps you already have a song that's ‘your song' and will make a perfect first dance track. If you don't... maybe one of these will tug at the heartstrings?

‘All My life' - Kci & Jojo
‘Amazed' - Lonestar
‘Angels' - Robbie Williams
‘Can't Help Falling In Love' - Elvis Presley
‘Can't Take My Eyes Off You' - Andy Williams
‘Close To You' - Carpenters
‘Crazy For You' - Madonna
‘Endless Love' - Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie
‘Eternal Flame' - The Bangles
‘Every Breath You Take' - The Police
‘Evergreen' - Will Young
‘Everything I Do' - Brian Adams
‘Fly Me To The Moon' - Frank Sinatra
‘From This Moment On' - Shania Twain
‘Get Here' - Oleta Adams
‘Groovy Kind Of Love' - Phil Collins
‘Have I Told You Lately?' - Rod Stewart
‘Hero' - Enrique Iglesias
‘How Deep Is Your Love' - Take That
‘I Just Can't Stop Loving You' - Michael Jackson
‘In My Life' - The Beatles
‘It Had To Be You' - Harry Connick Jr
‘I Will Always Love You' - Whitney Houston
‘Let There Be Love' - Frank Sinatra
‘Love Is All Around' - Wet Wet Wet
‘Love Me Tender' - Elvis Presley
‘Move Closer' - Phyllis Nelson
‘More Than Words' - Extreme
‘My Girl' - Temptations
‘Over The Rainbow' - Eva Cassidy
‘She' - Elvis Costello
‘She's The One' - Robbie Williams
‘Show Me Heaven' - Maria McKee
‘Stand By Me' - Ben E King
‘The Scientist' - Coldplay
‘Three Times A Lady' - Commodores
‘Truly Madly Deeply' - Savage Garden
‘Unchained Melody' - The Righteous Brothers
‘Unforgettable' - Nat King Cole
‘Up Where We Belong' - Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
‘What A Wonderful World' - Louis Armstrong
‘When A Man Loves A Woman' - Percy Sledge
‘When You Say Nothing At All' - Ronan Keating
‘Wonderful Tonight' - Eric Clapton
‘Wonderwall' - Oasis
‘Yellow' - Coldplay
‘You're Beautiful' - James Blunt
‘You're The First, The Last, My Everything' - Barry White
‘Your Song' - Elton John
‘You Do Something To Me' - Paul Weller

Tuesday 28 August 2007

Top 11 Most Overplayed Wedding Reception Songs

Here are 11 popular, but not necessarily great, wedding reception songs:
11. "Hot, Hot, Hot" by Buster Pointdexter
10. "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang
9. "Shout" by the Isley Brothers
8. "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf
7. "YMCA" by the Village People
6. "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor
5. "Stayin Alive" by the BeeGees
4. "The Electric Slide" by varoius artists
3. "Macarena" by Los Del Rio
2. "Summer Lovin" from the Grease Soundtrack
1. "The Chicken Dance" by Bob Kames and the Happy Organ

Wedding Reception Songs Album

There's nothing more romantic than some of the songs available on Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings album. It includes songs such as Can You Feel the Love Tonight and Beauty and the Beast, my two personal favourites. The orchestration of these perfect wedding reception songs hits emotions anytime time they're played, much less at such an emotional time.

If you're still a kid at heart but want a grown-up version, then this cd is perfect for you. It has all those great disney songs but with a twist of jazz to appeal to a grown-up crowd. Beautifully orchestrated.



How to Set Your Wedding to Music

Barbara Rothstein & Gloria Sklerov, author's of How to Set Your Wedding to Music, mention that visualising your dream wedding is the first step in choosing wedding reception songs:

"Visualing is one of the most important parts of planning, for behind every successful creation is an idea... a heart's desire. The clearer your vision, the easier you'll find the process of making it a reality."

Close your eyes and visualise your reception hall or garden. What are your guests doing, what music do you hear?

"Think of your wedding as a film. Like any successful film, a great wedding has an interesting and meaningful opening and dramatic moments that build in intensity to an exciting climax and satisfying ending."

Using Barbara's and Gloria's ideas, artists, songs and genres may already be springing to mind.