Your Step-by-Step Guide to Ceremony Music
Ceremony music sets the mood for your big day, and we think it's a very important decision! This guide walks you through each decision, step by step.....
1. DO I WANT LIVE MUSIC?
Some couples prefer to use their DJ for the ceremony and reception. This
decision is less expensive, but there are a few things to think about....
- A DJ starts your favorite songs from the very beginning. This means that if
you or your mothers or bridesmaids walk quickly, your guests will probably
only hear the intro before the song is faded out and that next one has started.
- We customize your song list so that we play the recognizable section, so all
your guests hear the part of the song that you love!
2. WHAT INSTRUMENT(S) DO I WANT FOR MY CEREMONY?
There are all kinds of instruments that sound great for a ceremony! We have
played ceremonies with organ, piano, violin, viola, cello, harp, trumpet, string
duo, string trio, string quartet, bagpipes, steel drum, guitar, vocalist.... the list
goes on!
Watch videos and listen to recordings! This is a great way to discover what
sound you like.
If you choose strings, read on to #3!
3. DO I NEED A SOLO, DUO, TRIO, OR QUARTET?
Less instruments = less sound.
More instruments = more sound.
Violin solo is an intimate and pure sound. As you add instruments, the sound
gets more complex and louder.
This decision comes down to what you like! I have played solos for weddings of
300+ guests, and we have played quartets for small quiet weddings. It's your
choice!
4. DO I WANT CLASSICAL OR POP MUSIC?
More and more couples are combining both styles. The answer is always...
whatever you want to do! We take our cues from your style and your vision. No two weddings we play are ever alike.
Most weddings have 20-30 minutes of background music (prelude) while guests are arriving. Sometimes brides will have classical music for this and
then switch to pop for the processionals. Other brides will reverse it and have
pop music first, then classical. And others will only have a pop song for the
recessional.
5. WHO WALKS DOWN THE AISLE? TO WHAT SONG?
This is our typical program order. Again, you can change ANYTHING you want!
Prelude: 8-10 songs (You may choose these yourself, or we can use our
judgment to choose songs that will match the mood of your wedding.)
Seating of grandmothers: Some brides combine this with the seating of
mothers if the aisle is not very long. Some couples choose a grandparent's
favorite song.
Most popular selections here are:
Somewhere My Love
Amazing Grace
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Come Thou Found
Can't Help Falling in Love
Edelweiss
Seating of mothers: This can be a mother's favorite song or just something
beautiful that you think your guests will enjoy.
Most popular selections here are:
Canon in D
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
What a Wonderful World
Annie's Song
Bridal party processional: This can include any combination of the following
(and they usually enter in this order):
Officiant
Groom
Best Man
Groomsmen
(Sometimes some or all of the men walk in from the side instead of down
the aisle. Again, it depends on your preference.)
Bridesmaids
Maid/Matron of Honor
Ring Bearer
Flower Girl
Most popular selections here are:
Canon in D
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)
At Last (Etta James)
Bridal processional: Bride sometimes walks in by herself, with dad, with both
parents, or with someone else of her choosing.
Most popular selections here are:
Trumpet Voluntary
King's March
Canon in D
A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)
Music during the ceremony: most brides opt out of this, but we are always glad
to play during communion, lighting of a unity candle, etc.
Recessional: Bride & groom exit first, followed by the wedding party,
followed by family. Guests can be dismissed by row or as a group.
Most popular selections here are:
Trumpet Voluntary
La Rejouissance
Trumpet Tune
The Wedding March
This Will Be An Everlasting Love
Don't Stop Believing
............So there you have it! All you need to know about ceremony music! Actually, I suspect you may have lots more questions, but that's why we are here! Please contact us with any questions you have. We love to help!
Contact us at:
DeansDuets@yahoo.com OR 828-308-1477
Happy planning!
~April
Tags: ceremony music NC, wedding music NC, violin music, violin wedding music, string duo, string trio, string quartet, wedding music in Blowing Rock, Boone, Lenoir, Hickory, Morganton, Asheville, Hendersonville, Charlotte, Lincolnton, Gastonia, Belmont, Statesville, Mooresville, Winston Salem, Greensboro, Spruce Pine, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, Greenville, Columbia, piano wedding music, wedding pianist, violin, viola, cello, South Carolina wedding, North Carolina wedding, ceremony music guide