 Choosing Ceremony Music
When Are The Songs Played?
Beautiful music is a very important element in a wedding ceremony. It helps to define the structure of the ceremony, serves as entertainment for the guests, can showcase the couple’s love for each other through lyrics, and can even act as a prayer. With all the available choices, how do you decide when the songs should be played? There are three distinct times when music may be played for your wedding ceremony: before, during and after the service. Let’s look at each area individually.
Before the Ceremony
While guests are arriving and finding their seats, it is nice to have about 30 minutes of music to set the mood and entertain them while they await your grand entrance. This music is called the prelude music, and will usually include five to six songs.
Once all the guests are seated, the processional music begins, signaling the start of the ceremony. Typically, there are three songs in the processional, although more or fewer can certainly work nicely as well:
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A song for the seating of the grandparents and parents (classical favorites include Ave Maria or Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring)
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A song for the entrance of the bridal party, beginning with the officiant, groom and best man (a popular choice is Canon in D)
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A song for the entrance of the bride (the classics are Here Comes The Bride or Trumpet Voluntary)
During the Ceremony
Many couples choose to have music played during the ceremony, which can be a lovely addition. Some ideas for song placement within the ceremony include:
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After the mothers are seated and before the entrance of the bridal party
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Near the beginning of the ceremony, perhaps after the welcome and the presentation of the bride
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During the unity candle ceremony
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As a prayer (for example, the Lord’s Prayer)
After the Ceremony
All too quickly, the ceremony will conclude and it will be time to return up the aisle as a married couple. Typically, an upbeat piece of music is played for the recessional, which includes the couple, the wedding party and the parents and grandparents. Traditional choices include Wedding March or Ode To Joy. Frequently, the music continues for a few more minutes as guests make their way out of the ceremony area and into the reception.
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