New Orleans’ music scene plays out like a rich buffet with countless tasty offerings. Whether its blues, traditional jazz, funk, hip hop, gospel or some unique melding of genres, the possibilities and offerings infinitely delight music buffs heading out for a listen. But that much largesse can rattle the confidence of couples tasked with choosing tunes for the various stages of their wedding journey. “Music sets a mood,” says Robin Barnes (robinbarnesmusic.com), the Songbird of New Orleans, part of the romantic duo Da Lovebirds, and funk queen with Robin Barnes and the Fiya Birds. With all those other pesky decisions that must be made — flowers, venue, décor, outfits, theme, seating chart — the music selections might fall by the wayside until it’s too late. But: Here’s a thought. What if you chose and booked the music first? Or at least second, right after you picked the venue. That seems like a very New Orleans thing to do. Let the music lead the way.
Lauren Castorena, agent for Robin Barnes, Robino Barnes and his band, Bean N’ The Boys (soul band you’ll find at Windsor Court) and Kristin Diable (bluesy rock) couldn’t agree more. “I would definitely encourage couples to start thinking about their music early, even before they’ve finalized their venue. Experiencing different styles and artists around New Orleans can really help discover what moves them. It’s truly about finding the sound that feels like their story,” she says. Working with such incredible artists has shown Castorena how meaningful live music can be for every stage of a couple’s journey from the proposal to the wedding day and beyond. “Music has a way of underscoring life’s most emotional moments. I’ve had couples book artists for surprise songs during proposals, welcome receptions that set the tone for the entire wedding weekend and even curated performances for milestone anniversaries and family gatherings years later. It’s such a beautiful reminder that music doesn’t just accompany these memories, it creates them,” she says, noting that the artists she works with absolutely love being part of wedding and engagement joy.
But where to start? If you’ve got an absolute preference, choosing an artist or style of music might be less daunting, but making decisions together and discovering you disagree could lead to your first fight. One way to narrow it down is to talk it out, but even better, get out there and listen to some artists. Whether it’s at a festival, on Frenchmen Street within live music clubs such as The Spotted Cat, Snug Harbor, DBA or Three Muses, in hotel venues like The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans’ Davenport Lounge or at church, you’ll soon discover how your tastes align. Robin Barnes suggests: “If you’ve got time, go out and become a tourist in your own town.” She recounts how during her wedding adventure, she and husband Pat Casey celebrated their love on a gondola ride through City Park’s lagoons. “This is the perfect place for a proposal or to treat wedding party friends,” she says. To add a musical note, hire a solo violinist to perform on the ride, or as a surprise after disembarking. Nola Gondola’s authentic Venetian gondolas, complete with jaunty gondolieri, hold 2-6 riders and have soundtracked Italian music piping through their system for a cheesy bit of musical fun.
A word of caution regarding proposals. Resident musician at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, Jeremy Davenport (jeremydavenport.com), known for his original lyrics, storytelling and unique jazz sound, warns enamored folks planning to pop the question in a public setting to be sure both parties are on the same page from the commitment standpoint. “I’ve seen it go wrong so many times on my own stage,” he says. “Maybe skip the impromptu proposal, so you don’t get stuck with the mike in your hand.” Instead, he welcomes the opportunity to do private shows for couples of one mind, whether it’s for a proposal in the hotel’s top suite, The Residence, or at an event such as a rehearsal dinner. “Most of my music is very romantic, so it’s really appropriate for that,” he says. Fun fact: Davenport played at Sofia Vergara’s wedding to Joe Manganiello, lighting up their first dance as well as at Emeril and Alden Lagasse’s matrimonial events. Maybe he can do the same at your wedding.
Bachelor and bachelorette parties don’t have to be all about jouncing down Bourbon Street, big libation in hand. Why not get physical — and do it to live music at that? Robin Barnes also runs Move Ya Brass (moveyabrass.com), an innovative, high octane, funky fitness company suffused with the spirit of New Orleans and its beat. Her team of dancers and fitness instructors offers customized classes of any size that range from cardio workouts to yoga to Afro Caribbean dance. A favorite option for both hen and stag parties, Bounce Ya Brass can be experienced to the sounds of a live brass brand — it doesn’t get more New Orleans than that! You’ll learn to twerk and more.
And finally, for the ceremony and reception. Be considerate of the artists. Robin Barnes says she can’t count how often people have tried to hire her to sing a cappella for three hours. That’s 180 minutes of unaccompanied vocals. Nobody can do that. Remember that when hiring a singer, it’s important to hire a band as well. The two go together like peanut butter and jelly — or shall we say like two just marrieds off to start their new life with a song in their hearts.
