Feature Resources
Music for Weddings: Making It Special
Whoever penned the words "Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast,"identified one of the most important functions of music in any situation: to create or enhance a specific mood.
Planning Music for Your Wedding
Music for weddings has as many shapes and directions as there are styles of weddings, yet it is often selected as an afterthought, the last element considered.
Regardless of wedding style or denomination, there are generally three stages to consider during the planning process: ceremony, cocktail/dinner hour, and the after-dinner celebration. Will one type of music (or musicians) fit all three? Likely not, but often two of the areas can be covered quite well by the same musicians or DJ.
Choosing the Right Music for Your Wedding
Music for the ceremony is the most complicated area. There are numerous considerations: Will the wedding be a formal church affair, or a more informal outside event? What would you like for instruments/voice?
If it is a church ceremony, what is allowed or not allowed for music and/or instruments? (For example, some denominations do not allow the music of Richard Wagner (Here Comes the Bride) because he was an atheist). Regardless of setting, the best bet is to check all choices with whoever is officiating.
Ceremonial music usually consists of pre-ceremonial music as the guests arrive, processional music for the wedding party, any music during the ceremony itself, and recessional music after the ceremony has concluded and the bridal party and guests exit.
Pre-Ceremonial Music
The function of pre-ceremonial music is to create a warm, inviting, peaceful atmosphere, which can be accomplished with many different styles of music, with setting being the determining factor. Frequently, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical music is used for this time.
Processional Music
Processional music is often divided into several different categories, depending upon the size of the wedding party. Its function is to create an air of peace and dignity, as well as to announce the participants. It is not uncommon to have different music for mothers/grandmothers, the bridal attendants with ring bearer and flower girl, and the bride to process by.
Suggestions for Christian services include"Greensleeves," Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," Purcell's "Trumpet Voluntary," Pachelbel's "Canon in D Major," HÄndel's "Hornpipe," or the venerable "Bridal March from Lohengrin" by Wagner. Popular choices for Jewish weddings include "Erev Ba," "Erev Shel Shoshanim," "Iti Milavanon," or "Mi Ha'ish."
Music During the Wedding Ceremony
Music during the ceremony is very much a personal matter. It is not necessary, but reflects the taste of the bride and groom, and how unique they desire their service to be.
Common times include the unity candle lighting, exchange of rings, or during Communion, where the Franz Schubert "Ave Maria" is ever popular. In these instances, the function of the music is to be sublime– to not divert attention from the events, but to create additional warmth.
Recessional Music
Recessional music is a wide-open area. Its function is to create an exuberant atmosphere for all to exit the ceremonial area.
The most familiar piece for this is Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" from "Midsummerﾹs Night Dream," otherwise known as "There goes the Bride," while a popular choice for Jewish weddings is "Dodi Li."
Many pieces will work nicely for this spirited exit, and selecting "the piece" is best done with the musician(s) involved.
Starting the Reception off Right
Music for the cocktail/dinner hours can be anything you'd like. What kind of atmosphere do you want to have?
During the cocktail/hors d'oeuvre hour, you will most likely be off having additional pictures taken, while your guests arrive at the reception. They may have come from many distant places, and not seen other friends/guests in some time. They'll want the opportunity to converse and socialize without competing with the music.
Music during this time should create an engaging atmosphere -- a comfort zone that allows your guests to enjoy each other.
Dinner Music
It is much the same during the dinner. Your presence will be announced when you arrive and enter, but much of the same mood of the preceding time will continue through the dinner period. The gamut of musical styles is possible here, balanced so that it will appeal to most tastes.
Time to Cut Loose!
After-dinner music is generally where it all cuts loose. Your guide, once again, is what kind of mood you want. From DJ to live band, the choices are yours!
Above all else, as you plan your music, talk to the musicians involved. Quality musicians will have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and
flexibility to draw upon to make the music for your celebration truly unique.
1. William Congreve, 1670-1729, The Mourning Bride, Act i, Sc. 1. (Ed.)
Reed Desrosiers plays guitar accompanied by his wife, Aprylle Desrosiers on the flute. The duo is available to play at your reception or occasion. Contact Aprylle and Reed by visiting www.aprylleandreed.com or by phone at 603.783.8901