Music in Your Wedding Ceremony
Music is a vital part of a good ceremony
Your wedding planning is not complete until you determine what place music will play in the ceremony. It is important to appreciate that the tone and flavour of the ceremony can be greatly enhanced by the use of tasteful and moving music. It may be that your ceremony will feel flat, ordinary or even dull if you have not planned your music thoughtfully and carefully. At a minimum, it is suggested that music be played for 10 minutes prior to the ceremony, during the procession, during the recession or congratulations, and for some 10 minutes after the ceremony.
Live musicians are warmly recommended
There is no totally satisfactory substitute for the inclusion of live musicians in your day. If live music is important for the reception it can be equally valuable for the ceremony. If you are on a budget, a single musician might be included, though a duo, trio or quartet might also be considered. Costs can vary, though if you shop around it is possible to secure the services of excellent musicians for quite a reasonable fee. Singing can lift the ambiance of a wedding markedly. Consider a live soloist or a choral group. You may also think about the possibility of inviting your guests to sing. If you do, you will need a good lead singer, easily audible music, the choice of an appropriate key and a printed copy of the words for each guest.
Recorded music must be handled well
If you prefer to use CDs at your ceremony, certain ground rules need to be followed:
· Have the best possible equipment.
· Have a competent person operating the system, and ensure that the operator is aware of the need for good timing, correct volume, careful fading, effective and discreet placement of the unit.
Be creative
Amongst the most memorable weddings I have been involved in, often it is the originality shown in the way the music is handled that makes the ceremony stand out for me. Some ways I have seen imagination and creativity shown in the selection of music for a ceremony are as follows:
· A single violinist walked around amongst the guests and “serenaded” individuals or groups.
· An oboe player gathered the guests and, as he played a haunting melody, led them to the place where the other members of a quintet waited to launch the ceremony.
· A skilled recorder player (a guest at the ceremony) began the ceremony with a jolly tune. At the same wedding, three friends of the couple sang in harmony, unaccompanied, as a special feature just before the vows were exchanged.
You might be surprised just how much talent you have available to you from the guest list alone if only you are prepared to ask. Go ahead! Be original, be ingenious! Ensure that we remember your wedding because of the beautiful music.
Your wedding planning is not complete until you determine what place music will play in the ceremony. It is important to appreciate that the tone and flavour of the ceremony can be greatly enhanced by the use of tasteful and moving music. It may be that your ceremony will feel flat, ordinary or even dull if you have not planned your music thoughtfully and carefully. At a minimum, it is suggested that music be played for 10 minutes prior to the ceremony, during the procession, during the recession or congratulations, and for some 10 minutes after the ceremony.
Live musicians are warmly recommended
There is no totally satisfactory substitute for the inclusion of live musicians in your day. If live music is important for the reception it can be equally valuable for the ceremony. If you are on a budget, a single musician might be included, though a duo, trio or quartet might also be considered. Costs can vary, though if you shop around it is possible to secure the services of excellent musicians for quite a reasonable fee. Singing can lift the ambiance of a wedding markedly. Consider a live soloist or a choral group. You may also think about the possibility of inviting your guests to sing. If you do, you will need a good lead singer, easily audible music, the choice of an appropriate key and a printed copy of the words for each guest.
Recorded music must be handled well
If you prefer to use CDs at your ceremony, certain ground rules need to be followed:
· Have the best possible equipment.
· Have a competent person operating the system, and ensure that the operator is aware of the need for good timing, correct volume, careful fading, effective and discreet placement of the unit.
Be creative
Amongst the most memorable weddings I have been involved in, often it is the originality shown in the way the music is handled that makes the ceremony stand out for me. Some ways I have seen imagination and creativity shown in the selection of music for a ceremony are as follows:
· A single violinist walked around amongst the guests and “serenaded” individuals or groups.
· An oboe player gathered the guests and, as he played a haunting melody, led them to the place where the other members of a quintet waited to launch the ceremony.
· A skilled recorder player (a guest at the ceremony) began the ceremony with a jolly tune. At the same wedding, three friends of the couple sang in harmony, unaccompanied, as a special feature just before the vows were exchanged.
You might be surprised just how much talent you have available to you from the guest list alone if only you are prepared to ask. Go ahead! Be original, be ingenious! Ensure that we remember your wedding because of the beautiful music.
posted by Jim Noonan @ 10:03 AM
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