The Wedding Diaries: Let the Good Times Roll

Ever since we started planning our wedding we knew we wanted a live band. We met whilst both playing in a youth jazz band and for both of us music has been a huge part of our lives. A live band provides such an amazing atmosphere and so much energy that it can really make a reception, and as many of our friends were also musicians we knew it would be well received.

When we first decided to get married abroad we pretty much accepted that we would have to forget about having a band. The difficulty of organising it and finding a band that we actually liked in a foreign land meant that it was just going to be impossible. It was a major player on the “Against” side of our For and against destination wedding list and we were gutted to have to give up on the idea. Given up on it though we had. My plan was to make up a playlist of songs I knew would get everyone up on the dance floor and, as long as we could hire a decent PA system, everyone would still have a good time and enjoy the music.

It was on our final night in La Palma that, having finally ticked everything off our wedding planning list, the four of us went for a last evening stroll down the promenade. Scarcely had we taken our first steps down towards the beach than we heard the sound of music drifting across the seafront. As we drew closer to the source of the sound we saw people gathered in the street, people cheering, people dancing. Moving nearer we saw that the music was coming from an open-fronted bar with spectators pouring out into the street. As I moved amongst the crowd I noticed my foot had begun to tap… my fingers had begun to click… these guys could play!

At first I just stopped to listen. It was a little 3 piece – string bass, guitar and snare – the type of band you might find busking on the streets of New Orleans. They were playing some classic Rhythm & Blues and Rock n’ Roll tunes – Hit the Road Jack, Johnny B. Goode, a little Beatles, a little Buddy Holly, even Jerry Lee Lewis! I have a very eclectic music taste but I love this type of band and they were playing the kind of music we used to play in that band we met in all those years ago. “How cool would these guys be at the wedding!” I shouted to Dom across the music. “I know” came the reply. “They’re playing the perfect kind of stuff for weddings, something for everyone!”

We said it flippantly, both enjoying the atmosphere. Neither of us actually thought about it as a serious possibility. One man, however, had overheard our conversation and knew how much we really did want a band. As the band took a brief break we prepared to continue our walk but Peter, it seemed, must have disappeared to the bar. Moments later he returned, a trademark grin spread widely on his face.

And suddenly we had ourselves an awesome wedding band. Ladies and Gentlemen…

Let the Good Times Roll!