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You stand in
the foyer of your church in your wedding dress. You watch the regal
procession of your wedding party down the main aisle of your church. Now
it is your turn to begin your climactic walk. Your guests stand facing
you, eagerly awaiting your entrance. You take the first step, but WAIT!
Where's the music!
Could you imagine walking down the aisle to nothing but the sound of your
own heart beating? This example illustrates the importance of music to
your wedding ceremony. Modern Bride's Complete Wedding Planner states, "No other single element of your celebration
has the power to move your guests and engage the emotions of all in
attendance the way beautiful music does." This article will discuss music for each part of the wedding ceremony, first by describing
the role of music, and then by recommending selections that most
successfully accomplish it.
ESTABLISHING MOOD - YOUR PRELUDE
The Prelude is an interval of music starting 20 to 30 minutes prior to
your ceremony. During the Prelude, your music provider establishes the
mood for your wedding. The choice of appropriate mood is entirely up to
you, and you may use vocal or instrumental music to create it. A string
ensemble playing violin concertos by Vivaldi will create an elegant mood.
An organist playing liturgical selections will create a religious mood
symbolizing the importance of this day. A vocalist singing contemporary
love ballads will create a romantic mood. Or perhaps, you may desire
ethnic selections, creating a variety of different moods.
One general rule applies to your Prelude selections: the music should not
be dance oriented, and should be played at a volume that creates suitable
background for prayer, reflection, and light conversation.
The following works are very effective in creating various moods:
ELEGANT
Violin Concerto #8 (Vivaldi)
Rondo (Mozart)
Air (from The Water Music - Handel)
Concerto #1 (from The Four Seasons,Spring -Vivaldi)
RELIGIOUS
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)
Largo (from Xerxes - Handel)
God is my Shepherd (Antoni Dvorak)
FESTIVE/JOYOUS
Brandenburg Concerto #2 (Bach)
Hornpipe in D (from The Water Music - Handel)
Rondo for Flute and Orchestra (Mozart)
ROMANTIC
One Hand, One Heart (from West Side Story - Sondheim/Bernstein)
All I Ask of You (from Phantom of the Opera - Webber)
Pavane (Faure)
Greensleeves (Traditional)
While the Prelude music plays, the ushers escort your guests to their
seats. The groom's mother, father, and finally the bride's mother are the
last people escorted to their seats. A majestic
classical work with a quick tempo can dramatically capture the guests'
attention and announce the beginning of the wedding ceremony. Trumpet
Voluntary (Clarke) or Trumpet Tune and Air (Purcell) are ideal choices,
due to their strong march rhythms. The music should continue until the
aisle carpet has been unrolled. The Processional may now begin.
SETTING THE PACE - THE PROCESSIONAL
Your ceremony begins with the entrance of the wedding party. Normally,
the ushers lead the procession, followed by the bridesmaids, maid of
honor, the ring bearer, and the flower girl. The music should
have a clearly audible cadence so that it is easy for you and your
attendants to keep time while walking. The music begins softly,
and gradually increases in volume until the bride's entrance. If the same
selection is also used for the bride's entrance, there must me a
noticeable increase in volume when she is ready to enter.
The haunting melody and driving rhythm (cello combined with violin playing
pizzicato) of Pachelbel's Canon have made it a very popular Processional
piece.
Recommendations:
Canon in D Major (Pachelbel)
Air on a G String (Bach)
THE BIG MOMENT - THE BRIDE'S ENTRANCE
The bride's entrance is the most important moment of the wedding day.
The music that is played greatly contributes to this lifelong memory. Its
role is to announce the bride and focus all attention on her. The volume
must be significantly louder than the music played for the attendants.
With each step, the bride is assisted by the driving rhythm of the music.
Synonymous with the wedding ceremony, the Bridal Chorus will instantly
proclaim your entrance. Or if you prefer, the breathtaking violin
arpeggios of the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba are sure to create a
lasting impression.
Recommendations:
Bridal Chorus (from Lohengrin - Wagner)
Arrival of the Queen of Sheeba (Handel)
Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke)
THE BODY OF YOUR CEREMONY
If desired, a selection or two may be played during your ceremony.
Music can provide a short interlude before a reading, or ambience during
the lighting of the unity candle. The selection should have a slow tempo
and be played softly. Liturgical works and vocal selections are very
suitable.
Recommendations:
Panis Angelicas (Franck)
Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)
CONGRATULATIONS! - THE RECESSIONAL
The end of the ceremony is usually marked by the bridal kiss or the
announcement of the newly married couple. The bride and groom exit arm in
arm, followed by the flower girl and ring bearer, the maid of honor and
best man, and bridesmaid/usher pairs.
Music should be majestic and played with a quick tempo. The regal melody
and powerful orchestration of Ode to Joy will proclaim your union to your
guests.
Recommendations:
Ode to Joy (from 9th Symphony - Beethoven)
Wedding March ( from A Midsummer Night's Dream - Mendelssohn)
THE POSTLUDE
The Postlude begins after the Recessional. Since the music expresses
your joy, it should be fast and triumphant. If you form a receiving line
after your ceremony, music should be played until all guests have been
greeted.
Recommendations:
Overture (from Music for the Royal Fireworks - Handel)
Rondeau (Mouret)
Le Rejouissance (from Music for the Royal Fireworks - Handel)
Trumpet Tune and Air (Purcell)
Suite in F Major (Handel)
Congratulations and best wishes for a beautiful wedding day!
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