I just recently posted a blog about having your wedding dance band provide ceremony music as well. I felt this was the perfect companion piece. Enjoy!
Welcome guest blogger Celia Melton! Marriage Officiant –New Jersey, New York
It’s frustrating; you love so many tunes; how do you choose? Do you go with a live wedding band or a DJ? Classical, Hip-Hop, flutes and harp?? Even if you’re thinking out of the box, that box may seem huge. If you were in a traditional setting, the music choice might be limited but in an non-traditional space, you can choose from anything that you love.
First; will you have live music or will your DJ be providing the soundtrack? If the answer is “Absolutely live!, then the search is on for the perfect wedding musicians. If not, your DJ is probably the answer. A good DJ will know how to blend songs together, manage the timing to sync with your ceremony and fade in and out on cue. A friend with an IPod is probably not going to accomplish this unless it’s a very simple processional and recessional.
Your theme will help give you some guidance too. A formal wedding in a fancy venue might lead you to a classical trio (even if they play “Stairway to Heaven”). If you have chosen country chic as your theme, modern or classic country music or even bluegrass would work. “A City Chic Wedding”? Jazz would be the perfect choice, but so would a swing band.
There are essentially three to four places where music is generally expected to be playing: prelude, processional, the ceremony, and the recessional.
The prelude is the music that plays while your guests are being seated; it is essentially background music to set the mood. The processional music is played while the bridal party (usually just the women and bride) enter the ceremony area. Traditionally, two songs are played: one for the attendants and one for the bride, but today many people have opted for a smaller, more intimate wedding party and will use only one song. If your ceremony and wedding are traditionally themed, use traditional music as well, but if themed untraditionally please use music that suits the mood.
If you’ve decided to include ceremony elements like a sand ceremony or a wine sharing, you might want music to float in the background. These are generally visual moments and music will help enhance that experience.
And then, the recessional!! This music should be upbeat and celebratory; it’s the “YIPPEE!!!!: music. You and your wedding party will be heading to the reception, but the music should continue for a few minutes more. Your guests may want to visit and the music is a welcome addition to the scene.
Choosing your music can be daunting because there is so much to pick from but the bottom line is this; YOUR music is YOUR music. If you have always dreamed of walking down the aisle to Pachabel’s cannon, then go for it. If you want to walk down to the ukelele version of ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow”…..do it. We have had people walk in to bagpipes or banjoes; hip hop or harps. It needs to be music you love that celebrates your day. So pick what you love!
Thank you guest blogger-
Celia Milton
Marriage Officiant –New Jersey New York