Is it too much violin?

Your violinist is going to be tired! I don't think it's necessary to have them play during dinner, but it's not a big deal either way

I agree they will be tired. Maybe leave out either cocktail hour or dinner and have dj play soft music during this time. As a clarinetist myself, that would be alot of playing but a violinist could still pull it off.

I do agree that I doubt the violinist will be able to play straight through the entire time. I'd ask what their typical schedule is like - like do they get a 15-minute break per hour or something? Maybe ask if they can play pre-ceremony and ceremony, take a break during cocktail hour and just have a playlist of background music, and then resume playing during dinner before the band starts afterwards?

I would definitely talk to them and see what their suggestions are. You'd be surprised how helpful they can be! I have a violinist for the ceremony and cocktail hour. I chose 2 songs I wanted to play and am giving her free range to choose what she thinks would sound best otherwise! I think you need some light music playing in the background even for dinner. I'm not sure if you have a DJ but I would have them do either cocktail hour or dinner with some light relaxing music.

I think having them play during seating, the ceremony, and cocktail hour is more than enough! No one pays attention to the music during dinner anyway, as everyone is busy eating and chatting. If your venue has a sound system, I would just utilize it and play soft background music during dinner. (honestly, you could probably do the same for cocktail hour as well).

View Quoted Comment These are really great suggestions! I didn’t even think to just play music over a sound system during dinner. I was gonna have to use it for our first dance song anyways so that does make sense!

I LOVE the idea of a violinist! Go for it!

We had our violinist play during the prelude, ceremony and cocktail hour and a half. She needed a break between the ceremony and start of cocktails, so I'd say in total she played for the 20 minutes during the ceremony, obviously the beginning and end of the ceremony and then for another hour and fifteen minutes.

In your case, I'd work with your venue about playing music over a sound system during dinner. They may even have house music so you don't have to put together a playlist.

Our guests LOVED the violinist and it set such a great mood during cocktail hour (we had a mix of upbeat pop, R&B, and songs from Disney movies, Broadway musicals and some of our favorite TV show themes). Canned music for dinner was totally fine.

View Quoted Comment Yeah we found out the band we booked can play music during dinner over the sound system! And it’s cheaper to have them do that and only have the violinist during the prelude, ceremony, and cocktail hour! Y’all’s comments really helped me realize that was totally an option! So thank you!

I love a violinist, but I think keeping it for the ceremony only (plus people coming in) helps to keep that moment special, idk. It really emphasizes the romance/emotion of the ceremony. Then transitioning to background music for the cocktail hour and dinner helps to move the whole vibe into a cocktail party atmosphere. And then of course the dance party atmosphere with the country band afterwards...the idea being to slowly ramp up the energy.