Live music for the ceremony?

Yes. With reservations. But usually much better than canned.

Ipod-driven tracks are great - but we've had some doozer mistakes (never use an antique shuffle - we got heavy metal for the bride's entrance, to everyone's amusement). We've seen grooms hiding out in a closet frantically searching I-tunes to find wedding tracks when the DJ had a hangover or dropped the files. Don't go there.

It's hard for a dj or digital sound people to see the bride when the place is full and everyone's standing up. A live musician (except keyboard or harpist) can move around and see people. Live music carries well, and is more responsive. You can adjust to babies, late ceremonies, jets flying over, and don't have to worry about batteries and dead sockets - which happened at a penthouse wedding - no juice!

Violins, brass, woodwinds, dulcimers, accordions all carry well in parks. Guitars, not so much, ditto cellos. Rain is bad for most everything - especially strings. String quartets need to sit down somewhere, as do a lot of guitarists.

Outdoor amplifiers need LONG extension cords, and don't work in parks.

Singing is good! Acapella is wonderful (or with flute or folk instruments). Live jazz or blues is good. We often have the guests hum the wedding march in the park - along with the birds and other natural sounds, it's very happy.

If you have a musical friend/relative - let THEM plan things for you. They'll work harder if you give them their own head, and list your faves, but trust their judgement. It's a wedding gift - talent from those you love.