#64 Collecting CDs is a Path of Carnage - Wedding Sound and Lighting Meetings to the Big Day
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This time, it's the sound and lighting edition
When asked what was the hardest part of the preparation, I wouldimmediately answer, "The music!!!!"That's how difficult it was.
1. Production Meeting ①
At the second meeting, I met our coordinator,Mr. Yoshida,for the first time.
[Content]
・Introduction of production options such as lighting and sound equipment
・Explanation of precautions for music and movie preparation
Options. I wasn't very interested.
Regarding music preparation, I thought we might leave it to them (it can be fully outsourced for 30,000 yen). We ended the day with the stance that we would do it if we could get it ready.
2. Preparation Period
One month before the fourth meeting
We worked backward from the fourth meeting, where we had to submit the BGM list and CDs.
[Division of Roles]
Groom🤵♂️: BGM list creation
Bride👰♀️: In charge of collecting CDs
3. Setting the Music Theme
[Theme]
First half: Western music
From the profile movie onwards: Japanese music
He likes Western music. I prefer Japanese music, if anything.
When it comes to songs that get us both excited, it's the nostalgic Heisei-era hits that colored our student days.
Rather than mixing them all up, we decided tocreate a clear distinction to add variety.
Also, since the terrace time in the second half is the biggest highlight, we decided to put the nostalgic hits there, which is why we chose Japanese music for the second half.
4. Searching for CDs blindly
Since I'm not very knowledgeable about music, these were all songs I didn't know.
First, I looked up which CDs contained the songs I wanted.
Singles, albums, greatest hits albums, remastered versions for older songs, and even compilation albums.
In addition, I explored how to collect them cost-effectively while considering the resale value of each.
[Where I searched]
・Mercari (minimum listing price 300 yen)
・Yahoo! Auctions
・HMV used section
・Tower Records used section
・Book Off
・Amazon (some items are better bought new)
Mercari is easy to use, but since the minimum listing price is 300 yen, you might be able to get them cheaper on other platforms like Yahoo! Auctions.
In the end, the total number of CDs was over 60.
I spent two weeks having CDs delivered to my mailbox every day.
[Failures]
・The album name was correct, but there was a different version and the crucial song wasn't included
・If the limited edition and regular edition were the same price, I thought I'd buy the limited edition for better resale value, but what arrived was a huge photo book
・Recently, there are songs exclusive to streaming services that are only included on overseas compilation CDs, which means over a month for imports, or premium prices for domestic stock
5. Putting sticky notes on the CDs
As noted in the BGM list instructions, I attached sticky notes to the inside of the CD cases with the CD number, track to be used, and the scene it would be used for.
It was quite a chore, so I was exhausted after doing it the day before the meeting.
6. Production Meeting ②
(1) BGM Finalization
I brought the BGM list data and about 50 CDs.
According to Mr. Yoshida, while that's on the high side, some people bring about 80 CDs. There's always someone more prepared... my condolences to them...
There were some CDs that weren't ready in time for this, but submitting them along with the profile movie (two weeks before the wedding) was fine.
At the meeting, while they played the music on a PC, I explained my specific preferences and made some changes based on Mr. Yoshida's advice.
"Since the overall vibe is fast-paced, should we create some quiet moments during the conversation segments to add some dynamic contrast?"
"Given the concept, wouldn't it be fine to have background music during the welcome speech and toast as well?"
I had assumed there wouldn't be background music for things like the welcome speech, but we ended up having music for everything except the final family representative greeting and the groom's speech.
Also, for the parts that were missing, they picked out some good tracks from the CDs I brought and added them to the list.
(2) Other options
For other options, we only added a terrace microphone.
If you are going to utilize the terrace at Rooftop Studio, adding a microphone is essential.
Also, since the reception started in the evening, we didn't include actress lights since there was little risk of backlighting.
We considered some terrace lighting like illumination lights, but we decided against it because the terrace time on the day would be during a relatively bright time of day.
7. The Big Day
(1) BGM
From where we were at the head table, we couldn't hear a thing, lol. Or maybe I just don't remember 😂
In particular, I really don't remember the background music when someone was speaking, and the only fragments I remember hearing are the background music during the conversation segments.
Even though I hadn't prioritized the conversation background music, thinking things like 'this song is just right for conversation,' I later felt that this might have been what was truly important.
According to Mr. Yoshida, he adjusted the volume while watching the guests' reactions. We had included a song with memories of our friends at the start of the dessert buffet, and they noticed it too; this was the moment we were most hyped up by the music.
Mr. Yoshida. Seriously, thank you. I worship you.
(2) Other options
Due to bad weather, the terrace time was cancelled.
Then, a few days later, I found that the microphone usage fee for the terrace, which we had included as an option, had been refunded! So kind!
Also, regarding the lighting at the head table, although I didn't include actress-style lights, the movable ceiling lights were illuminating the head table, so the brightness was sufficient!
