Planning Your Ceremony

There are no right or wrong choices for your wedding music. If there is a song or selections that you really like, ones that are really meaningful to the two of you, then by all means include those selections in your wedding ceremony. Having said that, here are a few suggestions:

The First Step
Before you begin planning your wedding ceremony music, be sure to choose your ceremony site before making your musical selections. Many places of worship do not allow secular music and have strict rules about what songs may be used. If you are holding an outdoor wedding ceremony, make sure that your ceremony musicians will have a place to set up and, most importantly, will be heard.

Deciding on the theme for the entire wedding ceremony and choosing the site will help determine the type of ceremony musicians you use. Once you have established an overall theme and selected your ceremony musicians, you will need to choose the specific music selections for the different components of the wedding ceremony.

Prelude
Seats are filling, the air is buzzing with guests meeting, greeting and anticipating your big event. The music selections during the prelude will set the mood for the ceremony. The music should not overpower the mood; rather, it should compliment the excitement and create an ambiance of expectation. Browse the list of popular ceremony prelude songs.

Pre-processional
This is a generally solemn moment as important family members are seated. The music should reflect the significance of the occasion. While the choice is yours, traditional ceremony music usually works best here. Pre-processional songs

Bridal Party Processional
As the wedding party appears at the head of the wedding aisle, the ceremony musicians will switch from the pre-processional to the processional. Consider a tempo that permits the wedding party to walk at a relaxed pace while setting the stage for the most important participants. Processional songs

Bride's Entrance
This is the moment that you and your guests have anxiously awaited. The ceremony music should reflect the excitement. Whether the selection is traditional or non-traditional, the music should reflect the unique personalities of the bride and groom. Whatever you choose should be comfortable for you. Take a deep breath, take your time and walk…this is your moment. Bride's Entrance music

Signing of the Registry
During the signing of the register, there is usually a pause of several minutes in the proceedings while the bridal couple are signing. At this point, couples often choose to have a favourite song performed (perhaps sung by a friend) or a piece of poetry read to musical accompaniment. Romantic, lyrical, reflective or religious pieces work well at this time. Signing of the Registry

Recessional
All the planning came to fruition! You're now man and wife, and the music being played while you and your new spouse walk up the aisle should reflect that excitement and elation. The music should be joyous and upbeat. Browse our list of Recessional songs.

Remember, whatever your choice of wedding music, it's your day, and there isn't just one right way to celebrate it. The music, like everything else, should be meaningful to the two of you and make a statement about who you are and what you mean to each other.

There are many other areas of the ceremony where music is appropriate depending on the type of service, the denomination, the bride and grooms's preferences etc. These areas are usually explored during the consultation.

Created on 07/31/2008 09:48 AM by Averil
Updated on 07/31/2008 09:05 PM by Averil