The first question you should ask yourself is what style and flavor of music do you want for your ceremony?
• Wedding ceremonies will often dictate the course of music and styling for this decision. Usually, an organist or a string or brass ensemble will be chosen. Your faith may weigh in on music choices. Your ethnicity and family background may also have a bearing on music chosen.
• Many ensembles can provide a variety of styles to choose from from their musical repertoire. Give them notice on music you wish to hear or if you want them to learn a song. Don’t wait until the last minute and expect a musician or band to learn something the week of the wedding, especially if they can’t get the sheet music for it.
• Auditioning music. Ask for a demo CD or DVD or see if you can see them perform in a public venue. It is never appropriate to crash a private event to audition your DJ or band. You certainly wouldn’t want strangers visiting your private event to view vendors.
• Disc Jockeys can provide a variety of old and modern contemporary selections to suit your tastes. They can mix and match songs and styles and play the music the way you are used to hearing it – as the original recording.
• What music is appropriate for a wedding ceremony? Traditional ceremonies use classical music. Many modern brides eschew the traditional organ version of the Bridal Chorus and use either solo or string versions or other classical pieces. Brides also get creative and use contemporary love songs, jazz pieces and even music from movie soundtracks.
• Unity candles, sand ceremonies and rose exchanges are just a few additional traditions that may be added to a ceremony. These, too, often have musical accompaniment. Ask your musician or DJ for something light and instrumental while they take place.
Prelude wedding ceremony music should be playing as guests arrive. Whether you are in a church with an organist or at a resort or San Diego beach side location with a string trio or a Disc Jockey, music should welcome your guests as they arrive.
A church typically supplies an organist or allows you to bring in a certain number of musicians. You virtually never see a DJ in a church. A resort, hotel, country club or backyard wedding allows for more creativity in choosing music options for the ceremony. Be sure and take into account power and equipment needs. Just because your cousin can play the guitar does not automatically mean his sound will be amplified. There is also the need for microphones for most ceremonies. Your resort may have an A/V department to handle this or your DJ or musician may be able to tackle this issue.
There are many more questions you may have surrounding searching for and choosing ceremony music. Take advantage of the professionals out there for their expertise in guiding you to make the right choices. You may style it any way you’d like, but, using professionals, you’ll style it right!
