Friday, September 14, 2012
These days, couples are putting their own spin on all aspects of the ceremony including the music that is being played. Regardless of your of designated area to conduct the wedding, whether on a beach in the Caribbean, or in a shady garden at a banquet facility, more and more couples are being married outside the typical church setting.
When you are planning your wedding day, you might consider the consider the following four musical categories:
1. The Prelude: Choose to welcome your guests with music that is cheerful, yet also sets the atmosphere with anticipation for what is about to take place. A prelude style of music can typically be classical, Latin guitar or a compilation of romantic songs by your own favorite artists. It is best to plan the prelude music to begin about 30 minutes before the ceremony.
2. The processionals for the Bridesmaids & the Bride: Usually the music for the processional consists of 2, or sometimes only 1, instrumental song. The processional music is played when the guests and the bridegroom get the first glimpse of the bride for the 1st time in her approach down the aisle in her beautiful gown. Very little customizing is involved when it comes to the choice of processional music. The most popular selections are
* Traditional Bridesmaids' Procession: Canon in D by Pachelbel * Traditional Bridal Procession: Bridal Chorus by Wagner
A few Alternative Choices might be: * Air on a G String by Bach * Spring (Four Seasons) by Vivaldi * Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach * Largo by Vivaldi * Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke * Water Music by Handel
If the wedding party consists only of the bride and a maid or matron of honor, then they often will walk down the aisle to the same music. But there are many brides that also also choose to use the Traditional Bridesmaids' Processional for themselves, and another separate piece for their bridesmaids.
Tips to keep in mind: If you should pick a vocal piece of music for the processional, either for the Bride or for the Bridesmaids, you will most likely not hear much of the song, and in many cases, only just the lead in or the introduction. Experience tells us that regardless oh how many times you and your bridal party rehearse coming down the aisle at just the right speed, on actual big day nearly everyone tends to move a little quicker, and in most cases the bride is down the aisle in as little as 45 to 60 seconds, and on average it's about 30 seconds per bridesmaid. Therefore, try choosing the music accordingly for its length.
3.The Signing of the Register: With the signing of the register taking just over four minutes on average, when you factor in photographs and the time it actually takes to sign the marriage license, you will have enough time to hear at least one song, if not two; therefore, you have an opportunity to add something a little special to your ceremony. We recommend an extra slow song that is suggestive of the reception to follow.
Popular Songs for the Signing of the Register:
Modern Songs: * All I Ask of You by Andrew Lloyd Webber * Blue Moon by Rod Stewart * Come What May by Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman * Evergreen by Barbra Streisand * Falling by Alicia Keys * From this Moment by Shania Twain * Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart * Heaven (Candlelight Version) by DJ Sammy * I Only Want to Be With You by Vonda Shepherd * Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder * Michelle by the Beatles * Moon River by Andy Williams * Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole * She by Elvis Costello * Story Book Love by Mark Knopfler * There is Love by Noel Paul Stookey * Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden
Traditional songs: * Ava Maria (Too many artists to list) * Air (from Water Music) by Handel * Clair de Lune by Debussy * Chanson de Matin by Elgar * Fur Elise by Beethoven * Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach * Minuet by Boccherini * Morning (from Peer Gynt Suite No.1) by Grieg * Prelude in C by Bach * Variations by Handel
4. The Recessional: We have seen clients leave to every type of song such as Happy Together by the Turtles, Billie Jean by Michael Jackson, Highway to Hell by AC/DC and Another One Bites the Dust by Queen. So, don't be afraid to pick a piece that you can dance to, or at least bop back down the aisle. More couples now are having a bit of fun with their musical selection for the recessional, and try to select music that makes a statement about their relationship. After all, it is the happiest moment in your lives as start your new life together. In other words, it's time to celebrate! No one says you can't, and if they do, who cares? It is your special day and after all of the hard work that leads up to the big day, it's time to let loose now that you are Husband and Wife. Your guests will talk about this day and remember it for years to come.
Traditional Wedding Recessional: * Wedding March by Mendelssohn * Fun & Up Beat Recessionals: * All You Need is Love by the Beatles * Beautiful Day by U2 * Better Together by Jack Johnson * Can't Get Enough of Your Love Babe by Barry White * Could You Be Loved by Bob Marley * Everything by Michael Buble * Happy Together by the Turtles * I'm A Believer by Smash Mouth * Let's Get Married Remix by Jagged Edge * Love Me Do by the Beatles * My Girl by the Temptations * Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole * Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder * Sugar Sugar by the Archie's * You're My First, My Last, My Everything by Barry White
Always Remember: On the Internet and with the advent of YouTube and the huge number of wedding music websites and CD choices have become so numerous that there often are multiple versions of of the traditional music used for wedding ceremonies but always make sure you remember to specify exactly which song you are referring to and by which artist when speaking with your entertainment supplier or DJ.
When you are planning your wedding day, you might consider the consider the following four musical categories:
1. The Prelude: Choose to welcome your guests with music that is cheerful, yet also sets the atmosphere with anticipation for what is about to take place. A prelude style of music can typically be classical, Latin guitar or a compilation of romantic songs by your own favorite artists. It is best to plan the prelude music to begin about 30 minutes before the ceremony.
2. The processionals for the Bridesmaids & the Bride: Usually the music for the processional consists of 2, or sometimes only 1, instrumental song. The processional music is played when the guests and the bridegroom get the first glimpse of the bride for the 1st time in her approach down the aisle in her beautiful gown. Very little customizing is involved when it comes to the choice of processional music. The most popular selections are
* Traditional Bridesmaids' Procession: Canon in D by Pachelbel * Traditional Bridal Procession: Bridal Chorus by Wagner
A few Alternative Choices might be: * Air on a G String by Bach * Spring (Four Seasons) by Vivaldi * Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach * Largo by Vivaldi * Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke * Water Music by Handel
If the wedding party consists only of the bride and a maid or matron of honor, then they often will walk down the aisle to the same music. But there are many brides that also also choose to use the Traditional Bridesmaids' Processional for themselves, and another separate piece for their bridesmaids.
Tips to keep in mind: If you should pick a vocal piece of music for the processional, either for the Bride or for the Bridesmaids, you will most likely not hear much of the song, and in many cases, only just the lead in or the introduction. Experience tells us that regardless oh how many times you and your bridal party rehearse coming down the aisle at just the right speed, on actual big day nearly everyone tends to move a little quicker, and in most cases the bride is down the aisle in as little as 45 to 60 seconds, and on average it's about 30 seconds per bridesmaid. Therefore, try choosing the music accordingly for its length.
3.The Signing of the Register: With the signing of the register taking just over four minutes on average, when you factor in photographs and the time it actually takes to sign the marriage license, you will have enough time to hear at least one song, if not two; therefore, you have an opportunity to add something a little special to your ceremony. We recommend an extra slow song that is suggestive of the reception to follow.
Popular Songs for the Signing of the Register:
Modern Songs: * All I Ask of You by Andrew Lloyd Webber * Blue Moon by Rod Stewart * Come What May by Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman * Evergreen by Barbra Streisand * Falling by Alicia Keys * From this Moment by Shania Twain * Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart * Heaven (Candlelight Version) by DJ Sammy * I Only Want to Be With You by Vonda Shepherd * Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder * Michelle by the Beatles * Moon River by Andy Williams * Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole * She by Elvis Costello * Story Book Love by Mark Knopfler * There is Love by Noel Paul Stookey * Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden
Traditional songs: * Ava Maria (Too many artists to list) * Air (from Water Music) by Handel * Clair de Lune by Debussy * Chanson de Matin by Elgar * Fur Elise by Beethoven * Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach * Minuet by Boccherini * Morning (from Peer Gynt Suite No.1) by Grieg * Prelude in C by Bach * Variations by Handel
4. The Recessional: We have seen clients leave to every type of song such as Happy Together by the Turtles, Billie Jean by Michael Jackson, Highway to Hell by AC/DC and Another One Bites the Dust by Queen. So, don't be afraid to pick a piece that you can dance to, or at least bop back down the aisle. More couples now are having a bit of fun with their musical selection for the recessional, and try to select music that makes a statement about their relationship. After all, it is the happiest moment in your lives as start your new life together. In other words, it's time to celebrate! No one says you can't, and if they do, who cares? It is your special day and after all of the hard work that leads up to the big day, it's time to let loose now that you are Husband and Wife. Your guests will talk about this day and remember it for years to come.
Traditional Wedding Recessional: * Wedding March by Mendelssohn * Fun & Up Beat Recessionals: * All You Need is Love by the Beatles * Beautiful Day by U2 * Better Together by Jack Johnson * Can't Get Enough of Your Love Babe by Barry White * Could You Be Loved by Bob Marley * Everything by Michael Buble * Happy Together by the Turtles * I'm A Believer by Smash Mouth * Let's Get Married Remix by Jagged Edge * Love Me Do by the Beatles * My Girl by the Temptations * Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole * Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder * Sugar Sugar by the Archie's * You're My First, My Last, My Everything by Barry White
Always Remember: On the Internet and with the advent of YouTube and the huge number of wedding music websites and CD choices have become so numerous that there often are multiple versions of of the traditional music used for wedding ceremonies but always make sure you remember to specify exactly which song you are referring to and by which artist when speaking with your entertainment supplier or DJ.
About the Author:
Want to find out more about planning a wedding in York Region, then visit Toronto DJ Robert Hawkins at his Web site for more how to choose the best music for your Wedding event.