Music sets the tone for cermony and reception alike, touching heart strings one minute, filling the dance floor the next.
Before you take your vows, before your guests get their first gorgeous glimpse of your wedding party, there is one element that is crucial to setting just the right tone and atmosphere for your wedding music. The music played during your ceremony should do more than entertain. It should complement your wedding's visual and spiritual texture. The right music takes the right kind of planning, and by following a few guidelines, you can ensure perfect harmony between your ceremony and the music that surrounds it.
Music for your ceremony can be divided into five intervals: the prelude, the processional, the ceremony, the recessional and the postlude.
THE PRELUDE typically begins 20 to 40 minutes prior to the ceremony and plays during the seating of guests, mothers and grandmothers. A string ensemble or harpist can create an elegant mood. A vocalist singing love songs evokes a romantic atmosphere.Generally, these melodies should be played at a volume creating a background for light conversation and reflection.
THE PROCESSIONAL announces the arrival of the wedding attendants, and finally the bride. It should begin at a soft pitch, slowly increasing until the bride's entrance. Organ music is the typical choice for the processional, but many couples opt for a string quartet, a trumpet solo, harp, or even a vocal solo. Whatever your selection, time the music to accompany the entrance of the groom, clergy, and all of the attendants.
THE CEREMONY selections should be played to accentuate key points in the ceremony, such as before a reading, during communion or the signing of the register. These selections should contain a slow tempo and should be played softly so as to give your guests pause for a moment of contemplation.
THE RECESSIONAL is the grand finale of the ceremony and should reflect the jubilant nature of the occasion. The selections played should be uplifting, possessing a majestic and quick tempo that proclaims the joy of your new union.
THE POSTLUDE should consist of lively musical selections that continue playing as the wedding party leaves the church and until all guests have exited the ceremony site.
THE RECEPTION Following the reverenced nature of the ceremony your guests will be ready to let-loose and celebrate. Nothing sets the tone for a party better than music. From the background melodies surrounding the cocktail hour, to the lively tunes that infuse the reception with romance and energy - music makes the moment. Start jotting down your favorite songs as you hear them, keeping all your guests in mind. Music can be a fun way to pull different generations together.
FINDING YOUR MUSICIANS Begin researching your reception musicians early in the planning process, especially if you plan on having your celebration during one of the peak wedding months of May through October. Allow plenty of time for the interviewing process. Whether live at a local club or restaurant, during rehearsal, or prerecorded on CD or video, you'll need to hear prospective groups play to determine if you like their sound and presentation. One rule of thumb is never hire a musician without hearing their music first. You want to be certain their talent is up to your performance standards. Another important rule - find out the range of their musical repertoire. From 50's to disco, big band to jazz or rock to hip hop, if you plan on keeping all your guests in the party mood, you'll need a little diversification - something for everyone.
The type of entertainment you choose will ultimately depend on the size and style of your reception. For a large, formal dinner and dance reception consider hiring a band or an orchestra. For an outdoor garden wedding a string quartet or single instrumentalist might be better suited. Understanding your options and what they offer will better enable you to visualize the music that should surround your celebration.
COCKTAIL HOUR Receptions normally begin with a cocktail hour to allow guests time to arrive at the reception site and mingle while awaiting the arrival of the guests of honor. Wonderful options for this portion of the celebration are chamber music, classical guitar, harpist, or perhaps a jazz ensemble. Any one of these types of music can create a subtle background of entertainment without overpowering conversation. A pianist is another excellent choice, one who can supply a wide range of musical styles and numbers and perform your guests' special requests.
CHAMBER MUSIC AND INSTRUMENTALISTS Ensembles of violins, violas, cellos,, harps and flutes produce some of the most divinely melodious sounds in the world. Playing classical and contemporary romantic numbers, these groups are appropriate for ceremonies, cocktail hour or intimate receptions.
CLASSICAL GUITAR In addition to chamber music, classical guitar is gaining popularity for wedding celebrations. Either alone or accompanied by a flutist, classic guitar represents elegance and distiction.
BANDS AND ORCHESTRAS Bands are typically multi-member ensembles that include vocalists, a guitarist, bass player, a pianist or keyboard player and a drummer. Specialty bands are often composed of different instruments, but are equal in their entertainment value.
DISC JOCKEYS Couples traditionally engage disc jockeys for their ability to provide a wide variety of music at a very reasonable price. They can play all of your favorite songs, all performed by the original artists, and because DJ’s work with prerecorded music your entertainment is continuous, even during breaks.
TIMELINE A week prior to the wedding, provide the final list to your musicians. Be specific and include song titles and singers/composers, and make sure your musicians can play your first dance song, or that the DJ has a clean copy of the original recording.
You or your wedding coordinator will need to provide the Master of Ceremonies - the bandleader or DJ - with the timing of the cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter throw, sweetheart dance and other key moments. Allocate a few moments to go over the pronunciation of the wedding parties' names to avoid any awkward moments or dead air time.
Weddings offer abundant opportunities to use many genres. Determine what moods or emotions you'd like to inspire for each aspect or phase of your wedding, then select your music accordingly. Integrate classical, jazz, Motown, pop, ethnic or spiritual tunes. Share the songs that mean something to you with those you love. The most important consideration is that each piece reflects the joy of the occasion. With these details covered, you'll be set for celebrating.
Checklist
