One of the questions I receive most often from brides is "How do I pick my music?" All of the brides with whom I work meet with me to go over their ceremony logistics and hear a wide variety of pieces that are appropriate for the wedding. When you pick out your songs, there are several elements of your ceremony that will require music:
1. Prelude. This is the background music that is played while your guests are arriving prior to the beginning of your ceremony. You do not need to select all of the pieces to be played during this time, but you can give your musicians ideas of the types of music you would like to have played (or the types to avoid). I have played a prelude that was all songs from Disney movies, another one that was all John Denver music, and many that chose traditional classical melodies. If your wedding location does not allow popular music during the ceremony itself, it may be possible to include your favorites here.
2. Seating of the families. This is an optional selection played during the seating of parents, grandparents, and other guests of honor. If you do not select a specific piece for this time, prelude music will continue through this time up until the bridal processional is ready to begin.
3. Bridesmaids' processional. Once the families are seated, the music for the bridesmaids' entrance typically begins. The most traditional choice is Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel. However, any piece at a good walking tempo can be used. This music continues until the last bridesmaid (usually the maid/matron of honor) or the child attendants have reached the front.
4. Bridal processional. A fanfare announces the arrival of the bride. Richard Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" (also known as "Here Comes the Bride") is traditional. If you are being married in a Catholic, Lutheran, or Episcopalian church, check with your priest or pastor before selecting this piece, as it is not allowed in some houses of worship. This can really be a place to use your imagination, and select a song that has special meaning to you and your fiance.
5. Ceremony music (optional). This may include lighting of the unity candle, communion, congregational hymns, service music (Catholic and Episcopalian Masses), or instrumental solos. Be sure to have an outline of your ceremony before you meet with your musicians to select ceremony music. That way, you will know how many pieces you will need during the ceremony itself.
6. Recessional. After you have been announced as husband and wife to your guests, the recessional begins and the bridal party files out. Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" is traditional, but again, this is not allowed in some churches. Always check with the person who will be performing your ceremony before deciding on specific pieces of music. This piece should be uptempo and joyous.
7. Postlude. The upbeat character of the recessional should carry over to the postlude music that is played as your guests exit the ceremony site. As with the prelude, you do not have to select specific songs for this time.
That's it! Although selecting your wedding music may seem like a daunting task, professional musicians can help you wade through the vast amount of music that is available, and help you choose songs that fit your vision of your wedding day. Ceremony music should always be customized to reflect the couple and their unique tastes. Whether you prefer the traditional wedding pieces, Broadway love songs, Celtic tunes, or jazz standards, make sure that the musicians you select can accommodate your requests. I am always happy to answer questions or offer guidance for brides planning their ceremony music. Email: devon@theclassicharpist.com.
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