When you are planning the reception for your wedding, you want everything to be perfect. After all, this may be the biggest party of your newly-married life, and choosing the right music option is vital to the life of the party. There are several different options to choose from, and some are better than others. Here is a closer look at three of the most popular options.

MP3 Player

The idea of simply creating a playlist on your media device and plugging it up to the sound system may seem tempting, but before you start trying to find a connection cable, you may want to reconsider. Unless you have access to a nice speaker system, and have a friend or family member with the sole responsibility of starting and stopping the music for the event, this option may be more trouble than it is worth. Between renting or purchasing the speaker equipment, and the stress of making sure that the person working the play button knows when to do so, it could be easier to simply hire someone else to handle the music.

Live Band

Having a live band can be a fun option for your wedding reception, but there are a few things that you should keep in mind. Generally, a cover band is going to play only one style of music and will have a particular set list that they will be using. Make sure that you are aware of all of the songs on the list, so you won't be embarrassed if your grandma hears a certain popular tune. Also, if you are considering hiring a live band, make sure that there is enough space in the reception hall to accommodate all of the musicians as well as their gear. A tiny stage is no fun for the musicians, and your guests may not be overly thrilled with strolling minstrels.

DJ

A great compromise between the previous two options is to hire a wedding DJ. This will allow you to have more control over the song playlist and timing, but you'll still be able to delegate the music to a professional who has more experience and higher quality equipment. A DJ is also a great option if your space is a bit limited—even with their equipment, they don't need an entire stage. Be sure to let your DJ know what songs to play at certain times, but don't be afraid to give them a little bit of freedom to mix things up a bit either.

Regardless of which option you choose, music is an important part of any successful party, and your wedding reception is no exception. This is your big day and your party, so don't be afraid to make it awesome!