One great New Jersey source for live music is Barry Herman Entertainment (800-915-1940; barryherman.com) in Livingston, founded 50 years ago by Barry Herman himself. Since then, thousands of couples have celebrated their weddings by dancing to full orchestras, complete with strings, brass, keyboards, percussion and vocalists.

“Brides often tell us that we provided the music for their parents’ and even their grandparents’ wedding,” Herman says. “No matter what type of wedding entertainment you’re looking for, we have it. Our musicians can set the mood for the wedding of your dreams and they can deliver any style of music.”

Although popular music continually evolves over the years, the classics are always in style. Favorite romantic tunes such as “Embraceable You,” “The Way You Look Tonight” and “When I Fall in Love” remain favorites of today’s brides, Herman notes.

As for the first dance, “‘You Are the Sunshine of My Life’ is a good pick,” Herman says. “And Paul Anka’s ‘Times of Your Life’ is always a nice choice for the father-daughter dance. Our bands do a great job playing and singing all the classics.”