Southampton - Music at a wedding is one of the most important elements for the bride and groom to consider while planning their nuptials. There is first the ceremony music, where couples must coordinate which appropriate entrance and exit songs fit their style, whether it by the traditional Canon in D or a more modern version of the classical song, or perhaps incorporating ethnic music to represent the couple's heritage. Then there is the reception, where guests can mingle and congratulate the bride and groom, and then celebrate the love of the newlywed couple by dancing the night away in between courses and the cake cutting and into the night.

Event music and coordination is so diverse nowadays and there are so many directions one could go with coordinating entertainment at an event. For example, does one prefer reggae or samba at their oceanfront clambake. Or perhaps deciding between techno or jazz music at one's anniversary celebration. Johnny Cash or Lady Gaga? But then how do we reach a happy medium where every guest is able to appreciate the music.

At my wedding, the decision of which musical artists and which main types of music genres to play at the cocktail hour and reception has been one of the primary topics of discussion and center focus. My family and I decided to hire a Disc Jockey for the reception as well as a local Hamptons band to take turns entertaining the guests. I felt that the DJ would liven up the atmosphere for the younger guests (teenagers and young adults in their early and mid-20s) towards the end of the evening, whereas the band would be popular and accommodating for the older individuals at my wedding, as well as the younger crowd where they would play well known hits from the 1940s through the 1980s.

A few months ago, I was dining at Il Capuccino in Sag Harbor and was listening to the live musician playing exceptionally well where guests were dining in the first room as you walk into the restaurant. I was quite impressed, and decided to introduce myself and inquire further about when and where else he plays. A few days later I got in touch with him after he gave me his business card and we booked him and his band right away for my wedding. I was very glad to hire Charles Notturno, a local talented musician who has been performing solo and with his band Keyboard Charles Notturno Band locally for the past 17 years. His musical specialties are eclectic, including pop, rock, classical, country, and cabaret. His band members consist of himself as keyboardist, vocals and accordion; George Brtalik, guitars and lead vocals; Robert Jaeger, drums and vocals; and Terie Greene, vocals and percussion. He currently performs regularly at Il Cappuccino on Friday nights where he creates a musical ambiance of international tunes including jazz and standard, contemporary piano and vocals. He has done fund raising events for Wounded Warriors, the Elk Club and many events annual events for the Southampton Hospital.

He has given great advice thus far regarding the organization and timing of music at my wedding and how to best equally incorporate his band and the DJ. "Interactive music is important. Our job is to get people up and dancing," said Notturno. "A wedding is a good time event."

His favorite music to perform varies across genres "I like a lot of balance and I am fond of show music," explained Notturno. "There's nothing better than good time rock n' roll."

I will incorporate traditional songs everyone knows and loves to hear and dance to, some traditional dance and party songs, along with cultural and new sounds of today so as to mix together a variety of music everyone enjoys.