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Wedding information - From engagement to honeymoon

Wedding Music

There is nothing better than the right music to add dignity, atmosphere and atmosphere at your wedding. The right music sets the mood throughout your wedding ceremony and sets the pace during your reception celebrations.

Deciding which music should be played at your wedding and reception and whether it should be played by musicians or a DJ is just one of the more important decisions to make when planning what is likely to be one of the most important and remembered days of your life. Make the right choices and your wedding day will be enjoyed and remembered by all who attend.

 

Wedding music for your church ceremony

Music for your church wedding ceremony:

If you are getting married in a church in the UK, you should discuss the music you would like played with your minister. The minister will usually already have a list of what they consider to be suitable pieces for wedding ceremonies and that can be played according to the church organist's ability and of course the type of organ present at the church. There may be the option, with the minister's approval, for you to have a competent friend or relative play at your ceremony having your own choice of music played. It could also be possible, again with the minister's approval, to arrange to have musicians attend and play for you. We have recently been to a family wedding in a small church, where musically talented nephews and nieces played solo pieces on flute and classical guitar - to great effect! Although in a large church you would probably need at a quartet or larger to give the required 'umph' to traditional 'orchestral'pieces of music played during a normal church ceremony. It is basically for this reason that a church organ is so suitable. - Although your particular choice of wedding ceremony music may be slightly restricted to the competency of the church's resident organist.

There are four sections of your church ceremony that you need to consider music for. They are: The Prelude, The Processional, The Signing of the Register and The Recessional.

The Prelude

This is the music that is played while guests congregate in the church whilst waiting for the bride to arrive. This is the music that sets the mood for the rest of the ceremony to come. The music should be positive and joyous. Unless you have particular music in mind, the organist will usually play a selection while your guests assemble.

The Processional

This is the music played for the bride's arrival and the bridal party's procession down the aisle. One piece of music is chosen, which should be stately and regal and last the duration of the bridal party's journey to the groom at the altar. A favourite here is the Wedding March from Lohengrin (Wagner) - Most of us know this piece as "Here Comes The Bride"!

The Signing of the Register

During the time the bride and groom are in the registry, the organist will usually be willing to play any suitable music of your choice, whether traditional or modern providing it is within their ability. You may wish to have some music played that has a special meaning to either or both of you. This is also the appropriate time where you can make your ceremony unique by arranging to have a friend, relative or group entertain your guests by singing or playing your own choice of music and tunes. If you propose doing this, please get your minister's approval before you make any bookings. If you opt for the church organist to play traditional music, they will have a repertoire of their own.

The Recessional

As you leave the registry and walk arm-in-arm down the aisle as husband and wife, you will want the organ to bellow out music that is triumphant, joyful and celebratory.

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