Ceremony Music - I thought this was helpful
Whether you've dreamed of walking down the aisle to the traditional 'Here Comes the Bride' or ABBA's 'Dancing Queen,' music is a wonderful way to personalize your ceremony and make it truly memorable. Here's everything you need to know about sounds for your service.
1. PRICE
Ceremony music fees are typically dictated by the number of performers, day of the week, and time of day of your service. The going rate? Around $50-$250 per hour per performer (prices will vary per city). You also may have to pay for musicians' travel expenses and cartage for hefty instrument transport like harps. If you're looking to trum the fat, some musicians offer a price break if you hire them to play during cocktails and band breaks too. Or consider hiring an organist instead of a trio.
2. OFFICIAL SIGNOFF
Have your heart set on non-religious ceremony music? Check with your officiant first: He or she may uphold certain religious restrictions. For example, some Catholic priests and Jewish rabbis will not allow Wagner's 'Bridal Chorus' ('Here Comes the Bride') -- the priests because it's a secular work (some Catholic priests do not allow secular music at all), and the rabbis because of Wagner's well-documented anti-Semitism. So if you have plans for Bon Jovi, Mary J. Blige, or even Pachelbel, clear up potential issues beforehand. Your officiant should be able to recommend suitable substitutes.
3. PERFORMERS
If your ceremony site has a music director, schedule an appointment to discuss your preferences. You may be required to use in-house performers, which isn't necessarily a bad thing; they know the site's acoustics and can probably suggest good selections. If you need to provide your own musicians, options vary from a single vocalist with organ accompaniment to a string quartet or brass band. You might choose a jazz combo made up of musicians who will play in a larger band at your reception. Or you can ask your DJ to supply ceremony music.
Check ads in local wedding magazines and websites (click here for our city-by-city listings), or find out if there's a reputable local music school or musicians' union that can refer you to musicians who perform at weddings. For a personal touch, think about asking musically talented friends or relatives for assistance. Once you've narrowed down your list, meet with potential candidates, listen to a live performance, and sign a contract for their services (read up on ceremony music contracts).
4. LOGISTICS
Marrying outdoors? Make sure your musicians are sheltered. Violins, flutes, and harps are delicate; the slightest drizzle can end the performance. A tent or awning -- even a gazebo -- should do the trick. If you're holding the ceremony in a public place, time-of-day or noise restrictions may apply. Check with your site manager for all the rules and regulations and be sure to ask about available outlets. Electric guitars might be totally out of the question.
5. THE PARTS
Most wedding ceremonies, civil or religious, call for music in at least three places: before the wedding (the prelude), during the processional, and during the recessional. You may also include post-ceremony music (the postlude) and/or additional songs -- interludes -- during the ceremony (perhaps a deceased relative's favorite piece). Here's the scoop on the five musical sections of the service.
The Prelude
Intended to entertain guests as they enter, are seated, and wait until the ceremony begins, the prelude should start as soon as the doors open (no later than 20 minutes before the actual ceremony). You should factor in traffic problems, mislaid gloves and garters, late guests, and other unforeseen delays by planning 30 to 45 minutes of music. Preludes establish the mood: A solo flautist, violinist, or pianist will create a serene atmosphere. But remember that you are not limited to concerto excerpts by Bach or Handel. If traditional classical music seems insincere, go with your gut and play modern music that's closer to your heart.
Best bets: Check out our top prelude songs.
The Processional
Processional music plays as you and your wedding party make your grand entrance. For this reason, processional music is usually associated with wedding drama and pageantry -- few can resist featuring the richest and most rousing of musical accompaniments. Most couples opt for the grandeur of a march, but any music (or instrument) will do, so long as it suits the wedding mood and strikes an emotionally charged chord.
Best bets: Check out our top processional songs.
Interludes
Many couples use music to accent key moments during the ceremony (the ring exchange, the breaking of the glass, the lighting of the unity candle) or as an actual component of the ceremony itself. Any tune is appropriate, from classical pieces such as Schubert's 'Ave Maria' and Puccini's 'O mio babbino caro' to more popular ones such as U2's 'All I Want is You.' 'Amazing Grace' is always a crowd-pleaser, as is the well-loved wedding standard 'We've Only Just Begun,' by the Carpenters. If you'd prefer to stick with sacred music, ask your officiant for a list of religious solo pieces.
Best bets: Check out our top interlude songs.
Recessional
Despite the pomp and circumstance of the processional, recessional music is hardly an afterthought. You can make your exit as dramatic or flamboyant as you want, but remember that recessional music is usually joyful or festive (think Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' or Eric Clapton's rock anthem 'Layla'). Choose something that will complement your giddy, glowing demeanor and pump up the crowd for your reception.
Best bets: Check out our top recessional songs.
Postlude
If you have a large guest list, you might want to schedule 10 minutes of filler music after the recessional. The transition should be smooth, and the tone should be lively and spirited. The goal is to get your guests moving and grooving before they even get to the reception.
Best bets: Check out our top postlude songs.
6. PERSONALIZATION
Looking to orchestrate the perfect tone for your ceremony? Take direction from the ceremony site's architecture and decor. Dramatic, thundering organ music fits a large Gothic cathedral; a folk singer is perfect for your grandparents' living room; and a string quartet goes hand in glove with a formal garden. Or think about matching your musicians and musical selections to your wedding theme or style. You could use fife and drums for a medieval marriage, a New Orleans-style jazz band for Cajun-flavored festivities, or a harpsichord for a Baroque-inspired day. 'Summertime' will feel great on a sultry summer night, while Simon and Garfunkel's 'Hazy Shade of Winter' might be perfect for a January jaunt down the aisle.
Consider the following meaningful musical choices:
Broadway show tunes or movie theme songs can make a big, bold statement and express romance, too.
Ethnic selections reflect your heritage and honor your families.
Jazz offers sophisticated spontaneity.
The rock and pop genres encompass many romantic songs. You may find a song that features the bride's name (such as Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline' or the Beatles' 'Michelle') or a song with meaningful lyrics.
Don't feel limited to golden oldies -- look to country, Motown, and hip-hop songs too.
1. PRICE
Ceremony music fees are typically dictated by the number of performers, day of the week, and time of day of your service. The going rate? Around $50-$250 per hour per performer (prices will vary per city). You also may have to pay for musicians' travel expenses and cartage for hefty instrument transport like harps. If you're looking to trum the fat, some musicians offer a price break if you hire them to play during cocktails and band breaks too. Or consider hiring an organist instead of a trio.
2. OFFICIAL SIGNOFF
Have your heart set on non-religious ceremony music? Check with your officiant first: He or she may uphold certain religious restrictions. For example, some Catholic priests and Jewish rabbis will not allow Wagner's 'Bridal Chorus' ('Here Comes the Bride') -- the priests because it's a secular work (some Catholic priests do not allow secular music at all), and the rabbis because of Wagner's well-documented anti-Semitism. So if you have plans for Bon Jovi, Mary J. Blige, or even Pachelbel, clear up potential issues beforehand. Your officiant should be able to recommend suitable substitutes.
3. PERFORMERS
If your ceremony site has a music director, schedule an appointment to discuss your preferences. You may be required to use in-house performers, which isn't necessarily a bad thing; they know the site's acoustics and can probably suggest good selections. If you need to provide your own musicians, options vary from a single vocalist with organ accompaniment to a string quartet or brass band. You might choose a jazz combo made up of musicians who will play in a larger band at your reception. Or you can ask your DJ to supply ceremony music.
Check ads in local wedding magazines and websites (click here for our city-by-city listings), or find out if there's a reputable local music school or musicians' union that can refer you to musicians who perform at weddings. For a personal touch, think about asking musically talented friends or relatives for assistance. Once you've narrowed down your list, meet with potential candidates, listen to a live performance, and sign a contract for their services (read up on ceremony music contracts).
4. LOGISTICS
Marrying outdoors? Make sure your musicians are sheltered. Violins, flutes, and harps are delicate; the slightest drizzle can end the performance. A tent or awning -- even a gazebo -- should do the trick. If you're holding the ceremony in a public place, time-of-day or noise restrictions may apply. Check with your site manager for all the rules and regulations and be sure to ask about available outlets. Electric guitars might be totally out of the question.
5. THE PARTS
Most wedding ceremonies, civil or religious, call for music in at least three places: before the wedding (the prelude), during the processional, and during the recessional. You may also include post-ceremony music (the postlude) and/or additional songs -- interludes -- during the ceremony (perhaps a deceased relative's favorite piece). Here's the scoop on the five musical sections of the service.
The Prelude
Intended to entertain guests as they enter, are seated, and wait until the ceremony begins, the prelude should start as soon as the doors open (no later than 20 minutes before the actual ceremony). You should factor in traffic problems, mislaid gloves and garters, late guests, and other unforeseen delays by planning 30 to 45 minutes of music. Preludes establish the mood: A solo flautist, violinist, or pianist will create a serene atmosphere. But remember that you are not limited to concerto excerpts by Bach or Handel. If traditional classical music seems insincere, go with your gut and play modern music that's closer to your heart.
Best bets: Check out our top prelude songs.
The Processional
Processional music plays as you and your wedding party make your grand entrance. For this reason, processional music is usually associated with wedding drama and pageantry -- few can resist featuring the richest and most rousing of musical accompaniments. Most couples opt for the grandeur of a march, but any music (or instrument) will do, so long as it suits the wedding mood and strikes an emotionally charged chord.
Best bets: Check out our top processional songs.
Interludes
Many couples use music to accent key moments during the ceremony (the ring exchange, the breaking of the glass, the lighting of the unity candle) or as an actual component of the ceremony itself. Any tune is appropriate, from classical pieces such as Schubert's 'Ave Maria' and Puccini's 'O mio babbino caro' to more popular ones such as U2's 'All I Want is You.' 'Amazing Grace' is always a crowd-pleaser, as is the well-loved wedding standard 'We've Only Just Begun,' by the Carpenters. If you'd prefer to stick with sacred music, ask your officiant for a list of religious solo pieces.
Best bets: Check out our top interlude songs.
Recessional
Despite the pomp and circumstance of the processional, recessional music is hardly an afterthought. You can make your exit as dramatic or flamboyant as you want, but remember that recessional music is usually joyful or festive (think Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' or Eric Clapton's rock anthem 'Layla'). Choose something that will complement your giddy, glowing demeanor and pump up the crowd for your reception.
Best bets: Check out our top recessional songs.
Postlude
If you have a large guest list, you might want to schedule 10 minutes of filler music after the recessional. The transition should be smooth, and the tone should be lively and spirited. The goal is to get your guests moving and grooving before they even get to the reception.
Best bets: Check out our top postlude songs.
6. PERSONALIZATION
Looking to orchestrate the perfect tone for your ceremony? Take direction from the ceremony site's architecture and decor. Dramatic, thundering organ music fits a large Gothic cathedral; a folk singer is perfect for your grandparents' living room; and a string quartet goes hand in glove with a formal garden. Or think about matching your musicians and musical selections to your wedding theme or style. You could use fife and drums for a medieval marriage, a New Orleans-style jazz band for Cajun-flavored festivities, or a harpsichord for a Baroque-inspired day. 'Summertime' will feel great on a sultry summer night, while Simon and Garfunkel's 'Hazy Shade of Winter' might be perfect for a January jaunt down the aisle.
Consider the following meaningful musical choices:
Broadway show tunes or movie theme songs can make a big, bold statement and express romance, too.
Ethnic selections reflect your heritage and honor your families.
Jazz offers sophisticated spontaneity.
The rock and pop genres encompass many romantic songs. You may find a song that features the bride's name (such as Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline' or the Beatles' 'Michelle') or a song with meaningful lyrics.
Don't feel limited to golden oldies -- look to country, Motown, and hip-hop songs too.
