Musical Notes
OH, HOW YOU’LL DANCE, on the night you are wed… Music sets the mood for your personal celebration - from the first note of the processional to the last dance at your reception.
AT COUNTLESS WEDDING CEREMONIES, Wagner’s “The Bridal Chorus” from Lohengrin (“Here Comes The Bride”) is the processional song of choice. Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is often played during the recessional. It’s traditional right?
Not always. Those matrimonial melodies are considered to be too secular by many churches - you might not be allowed to play those traditional tunes as you walk down the aisle. If you’re planning a religious ceremony, consult your clergy on appropriate music selections.
The type of music played at your wedding is a matter of personal choice. While there may be some restrictions due to religious considerations, there is an abundance of music appropriate to any style of ceremony. Enlist the aid of your church organist, clergy, choir director or bridal coordinator in making musical decisions.
Your ceremony might feature an organist, pianist, harpist, string or woodwind quartet, or vocal performer. The musical program should begin 15 to 30 minutes before the ceremony, as guests arrive.
At the rehearsal, you may want to spend a little time practicing walking to the music you have chosen. Wedding music is highly emotional, and many brides have cried their way to the altar because of the sudden effect music has had on them. It might also be a good idea to tell your father you need to practice walking on his arm to the music; this will give him a chance to get used to it, too. Elaborate wedding walks are unpopular today, but a lovely bride will want to have an aura of confidence about her ability to float down the aisle to the music she has chosen.
Select a professional march that’s joyous, yet dignified. Your recessional music should be livelier in tempo - after all, you’ve just been married!
Beyond “The Bridal Chorus” from Lohengrin (“Here Comes The Bride”) and Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March”, here are some options for the ceremony:
For the processional:
Couperin’s “Fanfare”
Clarke’s “Prince of Denmark’s March”
Handels’s “Sarabande” - Suite No. 11
During the ceremony:
Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Minor”
Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”
Mendelssohn’s “First Organ Sonata”
Bernstein and Sndheim’s “One Hand, One Heart”
Malottes’s “The Lord’s Prayer”
For the recessional:
Buxtehude’s “Fugue in C Minor”
Mouret’s “Rondo”
Simon and Garfunkel’s “Benedictus”
Reception Selections
Music sets the mood for your reception - consider your selections carefully. You might have DJ spinning discs, or a jazz musician tickling the ivories. A 30-piece orchestra or a rowdy rock band might play “your song”. Just remember to feature a variety of music - slow romantic numbers as well as rousing dance tunes.
Music should entertain both younger and older guests. Plan some selections for dancing, others just for listening. The music shouldn’t be so loud as to hinder conversation.
At a small wedding, a pianist or jazz trio is a good choice. A “wedding band” is a popular choice - they’re trained to play to all different age groups. A DJ is usually a very economical choice. These entertainers can provide a great variety of music, from rock & roll to waltzes. Many disc jockeys can also provide lighting effects.
When interviewing musicians, find out the size of the group, the instruments played, and whether or not they feature vocalists. Ask the musicians or DJ for a current song list. You’ll want to have a large variety of music to choose from, including selections from the following categories: Top 40, Broadway show tunes, ballads, rock & roll, Latin rhythms, fox trots, tangos, and waltzes. If possible, catch them in a live situation for a sneak preview of their performance style.
Music sets the mood for your reception - consider your selections carefully. You might have DJ spinning discs, or a jazz musician tickling the ivories.
Make sure the entertainment can accommodate your personal preferences. Indicate songs you’d like played during special moments. You might request one of the groom’s favorite tunes as the wedding party sits down to dinner. “The Anniversary Song” or “The Girl That I Marry” are meaningful choices for the first dance between the new husband and wife.
Music is also played during the cake-cutting, when the bride’s bouquet and garter are tossed, and to signal the bride and groom’s leave-taking.
You should expect a professional attitude and appearance in the entertainment you hire. Ask if one of the band members or DJ can act as the master of ceremonies if you need one. Determine how long the band plays (usually, 45-minutes sets, flowed with 15-minute breaks). Make sure they can provide recorded music during breaks.
From setting up the musical equipment to tearing it back down, the band or DJ will spend four to six hours at your reception, and they will get hungry. It’s customary to provide them with refreshments - sandwiches, non-alcoholic beverages, or a plate from the buffet. A happy band or DJ contributes greatly to the festive mood of your party.
Inform the entertainment manager whom to contact at the reception site so he or she can check out the facilities ahead of time for acoustics, lighting arrangements, etc. If you’re planning an outdoor reception, decide where the party will move in case of rain.
Don’t leave any of the details to chance r memory - write them down in a contract. Your contract with the entertainment should include: the date, time, location, set-up time, number and length of sets, payment, overtime fees, cancellation and postponement policies, entertainer’s attire, and any special considerations.