Picking Right Wedding Music As Important As Cake, Flowers


by L Hayes - Date: 2007-03-24 - Word Count: 477 Share This!

Church organists everywhere are gritting their teeth as they prepare to pound out "Sunrise, Sunset" and "Evergreen" somewhere around two million times this wedding season. About 2.5 million couples tie the knot each year, and many don't know where to start when it comes to choosing the music for their big day.

For the ceremony, do they choose classical or pop? Organist or ensemble? Soloist or choir? Vocals or instrumentals? For the reception, do they opt for a band or a disc jockey? Popular music or tried-and-true favorites?

In degree of difficulty, choosing wedding music is somewhere between picking flowers and designing a cake. Some people may have a particular type of sound in mind when they are first planning their wedding march music. It's just unfamiliar territory for most people.

It depends on the length of your step, the way you want to walk, the vision you have of yourself as you come down the aisle and the number of people who will be with you. You then choose the music to correspond to that vision.

Music is one of the most important parts of both the wedding and reception. Music helps create the atmosphere. Special songs will make the wedding uniquely your own. Keep in mind the type of guests attending, the budget you have to work with, and any restrictions of the church or reception site.

Here are some tips and guidelines for your wedding regarding music selection

Prelude to the Ceremony: These should be quiet, contemplative pieces that start about a half hour before the ceremony. Some suggestions are: "Theme from 'Chariots of Fire,' " Vangelis; "Largo," the New World Symphony, Dvorak; "The Wedding Song," Peter, Paul and Mary.

Ceremony Processional: This should be an instrumental with a good regular beat to walk to. Once the attendants have reached their positions, the music changes for the bride's entrance. Suggestions: "Trumpet Voluntary," Clarke; "Wedding March," Mozart; "Bridal Chorus," Wagner.

During the Ceremony: These selections should have an air of sacredness to them, mindful of the gravity of the occasion. Suggestions: "Ave Maria," Schubert; "Joy of Man's Desiring," Bach; "The Lord's Prayer," Malotte.

Recessional: This should be upbeat with a quick tempo. Suggestions: "Wedding March," Mendelssohn; "Trumpet Tune," Purcell; "Ode to Joy," Beethoven.

Be creative and have something beautiful, appropriate, and unusual, but don't try to make a band perform unusual music that they don't know how to do. Make sure to audition them first. It's very important not to take them sight unseen and sound unheard.

Finally, go hear the group, band or soloist perform before signing any contracts. Also, be sure to go over song choices with them before the wedding, making a list of what you want them to play or not to play. You must hear them do something, see the way they dress, hear the way they play and know that they will do what you would like them to do.


Related Tags: wedding, wedding planning, bride, weddings, wedding music, brides, wedding reception, bridesmaid, bridal

L Hayes is a wedding professional and owner of Wedding Favors Emporium. They carry an extensive line of unique wedding favors as well as bridesmaid gifts, groomsmen gifts, and bridal shower gifts. For more information about wedding planning and wedding reception ideas, visit their website at: Wedding Favors Emporium.com

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