“Words cannot even begin to express how AMAZING we thought the Peter Hennes Orchestra was at our wedding on August 7th. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Feedback has been extraordinary—the first comment out of every single person’s mouth is…”Your band was unbelievable.” The fact that the venue was a little hot that evening didn’t stop anyone from dancing—the floor was packed the entire evening with young and old….it was your music that got everyone in the right mindset to party through the heat and have a great time. I loved how your singers came out on the dance floor and allowed our guests to sing – even your singers dance moves were coordinated. PHO completely blew us away! Peter, if there is anything I can ever do to help support PHO, please let Keith, me or our parents know. Our reception would not have been a smashing hit without your group.

Thanks again from the bottom of my heart.”
Peggy Baxter

Highlights of the evening included our pianist Paul Mutzabaugh’s note perfect coordination of six Jewish songs with the cantor from across the ballroom during the ceremony, the band’s surprisingly rockin’ version of Savage Garden’s “Truly, Madly, Deeply” for the bridal dance, and our rendition of the Allman Brothers song “Sweet Melissa” as a special request from the groom for the bride (yes, her name was Melissa). This was a wedding with dancing between courses, and the Peter Hennes Orchestra had the dance floor packed from the moment the doors opened!

Here’s what the parents of the bride had to say:

“Oh What a Night!”
Dear Peter,
Thank you for helping to make Melissa and Jason’s wedding a dream come true. We can only tell you we had nothing but rave reviews on your band! Thanks for a job well done!” – Joy and Ron Mayer

The best time for the father/daughter and mother/son dance depends on whether the band is scheduled with breaks, playing between courses during dinner, or playing continuous music without breaks.

Because of the need for a clear dance floor, if the band is only playing after dinner and has no breaks, there really is no other choice than to put the father/daughter and mother/son dances immediately after the bridal dance. Because three dances in a row that don’t involve your guests can take ten to fifteen minutes, many couples want to get the party going a little more quickly! The easiest way to do this is to combine the father/daughter and mother/son dances into one song. The bride and her father can start it out, and the band leader can invite the groom and his mother to join them half way through the song, or they can all start together.

If the dancing isn’t continuous, there’s another solution. The bridal dance can start off the first set, and the father/daughter and mother/son dances can start off the second set. Either way, your guests will be more entertained and you’ll add momentum to your wedding!

It’s simple really! Hire a professional and highly experienced band leader who will manage the entire itinerary for your wedding reception. He will guide everything and everyone from beginning to end. From your entrance to your exit, a true professional carries it all by timing everything perfectly, and coordinating with the catering to make sure your reception schedule stays on track. The catering staff depends on a band leader who is a consummate pro – a team player who is willing to do whatever it takes to keep things on schedule to provide the perfect party. The announcements will be well rehearsed, the pronunciations of names checked, and everyone acknowledged at the appropriate time. His band is an exciting group of professional entertainers who draw everyone in, determined to bring the fun to an unforgettable climax with song and dance for all ages!

If you don’t have a wedding planner, an experienced band leader is essential. If you do have a wedding planner, he or she will be ecstatic to have such support and cooperation from your terrific band leader!

Remember, to feel great, you have to take the worry out of your wedding reception. If you feel great, we guarantee you’ll have perfect wedding memories you’ll cherish for the rest of your lives!

7:00 – Cocktails. The music provides an elegant mood that’s conducive to conversation.

8:00 – Doors open with upbeat dance music as the guests enter. This gives the party an exciting, energetic beginning, and if some people don’t understand that it’s alright to dance before the bride and groom, a good band will know how to draw them onto the dance floor. At the end of this short set, the MC seats the guests.

8:15 – The bridal party is introduced, and as the bride and groom enter the room, they proceed to the dance floor for their first dance. Half way through the bridal dance, the parents of the bride and groom, then the bridal party, then the rest of the guests are invited by the MC to join in the dancing. Many couples feel a little self conscious on the dance floor by themselves, and inviting people to join them half way through their song can make them feel more comfortable. Another three or four songs are played after the bridal dance. The goal of this music set is to really energize the crowd and let them know they’re in for an exciting evening!

8:30 – A welcome speech is given by the hosts, followed by a blessing, and then the first course is served.

8:45 – During the first course, a few musicians play quiet background music, creating the perfect atmosphere for dining and conversation, and there are two or three short toasts. These are typically given by the parents of the bride or groom, the best man, or the maid of honor.

9:00 – There is another short dance set, during which the first course is cleared and the entrée is served. Dancing between courses is a popular trend, and it can be much more exciting and fun for the guests!

9:15 – Entrée with background music.

9:30 – Near the end of the entrée, the bride and groom cut the cake and then speak, followed directly by the father/daughter and mother/son dances, which are often combined, so that the guests don’t have to sit through two songs in which they aren’t included. All the guests are invited to the dance floor and have a blast rockin’ the night away until the end of the party!

A band that can interact well with the audience is more engaging and as a result can help keep the dance floor packed.

Bands usually take breaks periodically. Continuous music with no breaks will cost more, but contributes greatly to the momentum of the reception and is highly recommended for the most fun filled, energetic party!

11:30 – Last dance.

Each wedding is unique and will reflect the tastes and needs of the bride and groom. The details of your wedding reception timeline can vary greatly!