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Music for the ceremony
Planning your program and choosing musicians
 
Return to articles index | Disc jockeys | Ceremonial brass | Popular selections | Reception music
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Photo by Frank Bua
  

   A first step in planning your ceremony is to find out what policies your church or synagogue has about wedding music. Many places of worship limit the types of music that may be played before and during the wedding service. Also, your choices will be limited by the facility. Is there an organ? Piano? Space for a string quartet or other instrumental group to perform?
   Within these guidelines, discuss your choices of music with the organist or other musicians. You should be prepared to supply sheet music if needed, as well as arrange for a practice time.
   In a formal space such as a large church, orchestral instruments such as brasses, woodwinds, strings or harp can add dramatic effect. These instruments can be effective played solo, in ensembles such as a string trio, or accompanied by the church organ.

   The music selections you choose are the first statements that you make together as a couple to set the mood for your guests. Do not feel limited to traditional selections. Music professionls have innovative ideas that can individualize your music and portray your tastes.
   Most couples can quickly come up with a list of popular tunes that have special meaning for them. If you'd like to draw from the classical tradititon, consult your musician or a wedding planner.
   These are some favorite pieces:
 
   Processionals and Recessionals
  • Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin (Wagner)
  • The Water Music and Royal Fireworks Music (Handel)
  • Wedding Processional from The Sound of Music (Rodgers)
  • Canon in D Major (Pachelbel)
  • Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)
  • Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
  • Sleeper Awake (Bach)
  • Ode to Joy (Bach)
  • Trumpet Tune (Clark)
  • Wedding March from A Midsummer's Night Dream (Mendelssohn)
   Popular
  • Everything I Do, I Do For You (Adams)
  • Here and Now (Vandross)
  • Unchained Melody (Theme from Ghost)
  • Longer (Fogelberg)
  • Evergreen (Streisand)
  • Somewhere in Time (Theme from Somewhere in Time)
  • Up Where We Belong (Theme from Officer and a Gentleman)
  • A Time for Us (Theme from Romeo and Juliet)
  • The Wind Beneath My Wings (Theme from Beaches)
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