Get the Most Out of Your Wedding Music
Your
wedding is your special day but you only get one chance to make it perfect for
you and your guests. Here is a little offering on how to get the most out your
wedding music.
1. Always
choose LIVE music. A ‘boom box’, CD player or a laptop is how we listen
and enjoy music on an everyday level. Your wedding service and reception is not
an everyday event! So you should grace
it with something more special than a D.J. playing canned music or someone
plugging their iPhone into a P.A.
2. Beware how
it sounds not how it looks! Many couples come to us with the idea of a single
violin being the perfect thing for their service. This is seen quite often in
movies and on T.V. The reality is that
in a movie you may see a single violin but you hear a full band or
orchestra. So, in actuality, you need a
musician playing a harmonic instrument (piano, organ, guitar, harp etc.) or a
group of melodic instruments (string, woodwind or brass trio or quartet) or a
combination or both (guitar and flute, piano and violin). These musical
settings will give you the full sound and musical versatility that you need.
3. Place the
musicians where everyone can see them.
Up front near where the ceremony is to take place off to the right or
left. This allows the ensemble to see the Bride preparing to come up the aisle
so they can stop their ‘prelude music’ and move smoothly into the processional
music. With the band off to the side it allows you or a member of the wedding party
to cue the musicians for any other music that is requested during the service.
As well, everyone can see and hear the music.
4. Choose your
own Music. You do not have use
any particular music but you should be particular about what music you do use.
Processionals and recessionals should be medium tempos with a happy feeling.
All music should reflect, not necessarily your taste in music, but how you feel
about each other and the friends and family you have gathered.
5.
Know about the
music you are choosing. The Bridal
Chorus from Wagner's opera Lohengrin is the well-known "Here Comes the
Bride" tune. It is often considered to be the traditional music for the
entrance of the bride, but since it is used so often, it can appear
"overdone." The opera from which it comes is not one with a happy
ending, with the marriage scene ending in murder and suicide. So because of
this, many churches do not allow it to be used as a wedding processional. Another popular choice is “Every Breath You
Take” which is about a stalker. As well many
religions do not allow any secular music.
6. Walk Slowly.
The processional and particularly the
recessional are well known places that brides race up or down the aisle. Wait
for the music to begin, take a deep breath and walk half as fast as you think
you should. Enjoy the moment.
7. Have a
clear outline of what, where and when. Have a plan; you want this piece
for the processional, this song for the signing, another song for the bride and
groom and then the recessional. If you want music played while someone recites
a poem or makes a statement, then tell the musician(s) as they won’t play while
someone talks. If you make last minute changes tell the band leader and appoint
someone to cue him if necessary.
8. Always
choose full time professionals. I am pretty sure you are not going to trust
the other aspects of your wedding to amateurs and part-timers and your music
should be no different. How can you tell
if you are hiring a professional? Well there are some simple ways. If they
can’t meet with you anytime OTHER than evenings and weekends then it might
because they have a regular job and music is NOT their fulltime vocation. If
they cannot answer specific questions or offer up relevant suggestions then it
is probably due to a lack of experience and expertise in the field of wedding
music. Can they provide references? If all else fails you can come right out
and ask them.
All in all make the event a memorable one for you,
your family and friends. If you have any other questions please feel free to
call or write.
487-3664