“The most important choice for your wedding is your entertainment selection,” says Rob Affuso of Soulsystem Orchestras, who suggests deciding on what ambience you want your music to set. Do you want a high energy dance party? A relaxed, low-key dinner party? Or perhaps something in-between?
“Make sure the entertainers you select are in tune with what you want from them. Don’t be shy about telling them exactly what you want.”
Once they are clear about your needs, you can choose from their extensive songlist. “Of course, we’re always happy to assist with suggestions on what has worked best in our experience, but we’ve had great success when our clients work with this list.
“I like to use music to create different moods throughout the evening. For example, we can create a very ‘dreamy’ atmosphere with our music during the ceremony.
“The cocktail hour is the time when all your guests are playing ‘catch up’ together, so I like to keep this lively and light, and begin to build a fun party atmosphere that explodes once the guests walk through the door into the reception. I like to have the band pumpin’ something low key and grooving when the guests enter. When I see them dancing and smiling as they enter the room, I know we’ve got them!
“Our musicians are young, fun, and elegantly hip,” says Rob. “Many of our players have been on tour with nationally known groups such as Sting, Matchbox 20, Santana, Natalie Merchant, Paul McCartney, Donna Summer, Heatwave, and Ashford & Simpson.” Rob was the original drummer for the rock group Skid Row, and started Soulsystem while on tour in the early 90’s.
“This band was born out of the love of the music and not as a business! That is what really makes this group so unique. We simply love what we’re doing.
“The music — funk, disco, R&B — was just so infectious that I had to get out and play it. Soon the band was getting overwhelmed with requests to play at private events and weddings. But it was difficult to accept these jobs, since I was touring so often.” When Skid Row broke up in 1995, “my love for what I was doing with Soulsystem was so strong I decided to just keep doing it.
“What I enjoy most about performing at weddings is the positive impact we can have on a moment in a couple’s life. We make people happy by doing what we do, and then we get paid for making people smile.”
Having seen the stress some couples express in planning their wedding, Rob reminds you that, “your event is a celebration of two lives and two families joining together. Enjoy the journey as well as the destination. These are truly special moments to cherish.”
Soulsystem Orchestras
800.466.7685
rob@soulsystemorchestras.com
www.soulsystemorchestras.com
