Music And Wedding Ceremonies

Planning Your Wedding Music
Having a few tips under your belt will help you plan your wedding music. Knowing what type of music to have, when and when not to have it, and what your musicians’ requirements might be is a good starting point.

Wedding Music - Have It Live
Live wedding music definitely adds to the sense of the occasion. You can play a CD any day, but this day is YOUR SPECIAL DAY. You can make your wedding music even more unique if your musicians play their own compositions for you.

Type of Wedding Music
Wedding ceremony music is usually slow and gentle while wedding reception music is generally faster and louder. Soloists and string ensembles work really well for the ceremony e.g. a harpist, guitarist, or a string quartet.

How Music For A Wedding Fits In
The general rule is that music is not played while the celebrant or bride and groom are speaking. On the other hand, the following sections of the wedding ceremony are great places to have music.

Wedding Music For The Prelude
Ask your musicians to play 15-20 minutes before the bride is due to arrive, so that your guests arrive to an atmosphere filled with beautiful music. If the bride is late, then the wedding music functions as entertainment for your awaiting guests.


Choosing Wedding Music For The Procession
The procession (bridal march) is probably the most important piece of wedding music you will have to choose. Make sure it’s not in waltz time, because it’s almost impossible to walk to. Ask your musicians to suggest suitable, walk-able pieces. Pachelbel’s Canon is always a popular choice for this section.

Wedding Music For The Processional
Having a few minutes' pause in the music just before the processional will make your entrance more dramatic. It also helps to separate the prelude music from the procession music.

Special Items
When planning your wedding you might want to include a special reading or a candle lighting. Music played behind these items really work well. Harp music was traditionally used to accompany Celtic poetry and storytelling, so it is a tried and tested practise.

Wedding Interlude
It’s always good to have some music during the interlude (the signing of the register). Sometimes it can appear that the wedding ceremony has come to a bit of a lull while you and your bridal party do the paperwork. Music played during this time will fill the gap, as well as provide a seamless continuity between the sections of the ceremony.

Wedding Recessional
Music for the recessional (your exit) should be up-tempo and joyful. Again make sure it's not in waltz-time.

Placement of Musicians
Your guests will want to see the musicians play, so put them up the front. This will also ensure that the sound is not muffled by people or objects. You might need to place them a just bit to the side at the front to make room for the wedding party.


Musicians’ Requirements
Many musicians are seated when they play, so ask them if you need to set up chairs beforehand. If they require power for amplification, make sure there is a power supply nearby.

Wedding Music Outdoors
Musical instruments need to be sheltered from sun, rain and in some cases, the wind. Most musicians will need to pack up at the onset of even very light rain. A gazebo or large umbrellas is an easy solution.

Article Source: http://www.therepozitory.com.au

Susan Graham is a harpist who has over 12 years experience as a wedding entertainer. She has a university degree in music and has won several music awards.

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