Choosing & Personalising The Live Music For Your Wedding Ceremony

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What ever kind of musicians you choose, it's very common to get involved with the selection of the pieces of music that they’ll play. You can view each artist's complete repertoire through their page on the Alive Network website.

Once you've booked - you can speak to the musicians and sketch out your ideas and preferences. If you're not sure what you want - ask them to suggest a few key pieces based on the type of mood you’re going for. They should be able to follow your prompts to create the perfect selection of music for your big day.

Don’t be afraid to make personalised requests, but bear in mind that some tunes might not work so well on a particular instrument, and some artists may charge an additional fee to cover rehearsal time and the purchase of new sheet music. They'll also need at least 3-4 weeks notice.

Professional wedding musicians will usually have an extensive repertoire of music and so should be able to work with you to create a highly personalised selection of music at no extra cost. Allow your musicians to help guide you in your choices - they know what they're doing and will ensure you get music which is going to sound fantastic!

Where music is featured during your wedding ceremony

During the course of your wedding ceremony, the key times to have music could be:

• Awaiting the arrival of the bride (the Prelude)
• Arrival of the bride (the Processional)
• Hymns/Ceremony Music
• Signing of the register
• Departure of the bride and groom (the Recessional)

What types of musicians usually get hired to play during a wedding ceremony

The most common choices are String Quartets, Harpists and Pianists as these types of musicians are all very flexible and are often booked to perform at both the ceremony and drinks reception. The following are all equally suitable:

• String Quartets
• Harpists
• Pianists
• Classical Guitarists
• Classical Musicians and Ensembles
• Classical / Opera Singers
• Gospel Choirs
• Solo Singer / Guitarists

Awaiting the arrival of the bride

Whilst your family and friends await the entrance of the bride - what better way to set the scene than with the performance of enchanting live music. It’s a good idea to go with music that’s calm and serene as it will help to settle any nerves, and it will allow room for much greater impact if you’ve chosen an upbeat piece of music for the arrival of the bride. Think of the live music you choose here as the entrée to a great meal. It should ease your guests into the occasion without being too intrusive, and really build on the excited anticipation of the arrival of the bride.

Popular choices of music include:

Traditional
• 'Water Music' (Handel)
• 'Air on the G String' (Bach)
• 'Nessun Dorma' - (Puccini)
• 'Aria from Xerxes' - Handel

Contemporary / Jazz
• 'How Deep is Your Love' - Bee Gees
• 'Everything I Do' - Bryan Adams
• 'When I Fall in Love' - Nat King Cole
• 'All I Ask' and 'Think of Me' from Phantom of the Opera
• 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' - Arlen/Harburg
• 'Chasing Cars' - Snow Patrol
• 'Have I Told You Lately That I Love You' - Van Morrison
• 'Wonder Wall' - Oasis
• 'Wonderful Tonight'- Eric Clapton

Music for the arrival of the bride

Whether you're having a traditional church wedding or not, the arrival of the bride is one of the most significant moments of the entire wedding day. Choosing a live music accompaniment is a great way to add your own stamp of personality.

The Bridal March - traditional music choices

Traditionally, the arrival of the bride would be marked by a performance of Wagner's "The Bridal March (Here Comes The Bride)". This could be performed on the Church Organ or by your chosen musicians. There are wonderful arrangements for both String Quartet and Harp.

Other popular 'traditional' choices of music for the arrival of the bride include:

• 'Canon in D' by Pachelbel
• 'Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba' by Handel
• 'Trumpet Voluntary' (Prince of Denmark's March) by Clarke
• 'Water Music : In D Alla Hornpipe' by Handel
• 'Ave Maria' - (Bach/Gounod)

Non-traditional and contemporary choices of music for the arrival of the bride

Many brides prefer to choose a piece of music which has personal significance to them, and have it performed by live musicians such as a: String Quartet, Harpist, Classical Guitarist, Singer, Choir or Classical Ensemble.

Popular choices include:

• 'First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' (Ewan MacColl)
• 'You Are So Beautiful' (Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher)
• 'Here The And Everywhere' (The Beatles)
• 'Don't Wanna Miss A Thing' - Aerosmith
• 'Have I Told You Lately' (Van Morrison)
• 'Come Away With Me' (Nora Jones)
• 'Foxy Lady' (Jimi Hendrix)
• 'Song Bird' (Fleetwood Mac)
• 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' (Eva Cassidy)
• 'Greatest Day' (Take That)

Music for the Ceremony

photo credit: iStock/photoraya

The music during the wedding ceremony is completely at your discretion. It could be seen as a blank canvas where you can inject as much personality as you like. The majority of couples having a church wedding opt for hymns and it's probably best to have the organist accompany these.

One thing to consider is that if you intend for the congregation to sing - then it’s probably not wise to choose anything too obscure or you could find yourselves singing on your own!

Many couples opt for a relatively short wedding ceremony - especially civil ceremonies - and you might find there is no room for music up until the signing of the register.

Music during the signing of the register

photo credit: iStock/JoeGough

The signing of the register is often the time when a less traditional piece of music is chosen, something which is personal to both the bride and groom. It could be romantic or quirky - what ever suits your personalities.

Romantic music for the signing of the register

• 'BWV 1007 Prelude in D' - Bach
• 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring' - Bach
• 'Flower Duet (from the Opera Lakmé)
• 'Can't Help Falling In Love' - Elvis Presley
• 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' - Elton John
• 'More Than Words' - Extreme

Quirky / modern music for the signing of the register

• 'When I'm Sixty Four' - The Beatles
• 'Your Song' (Elton John)
• 'That's Amore' - Dean Martin
• 'From This Moment On' - Shania Twain
• 'Perfect Day' - Lou Reed
• 'Love and Marriage' - Frank Sinatra

Music for the Recessional (where you walk back up the aisle)

The recessional is usually accompanied by a very upbeat piece of music. You’re now officially married, it’s time to celebrate! Try to choose a piece of music which will really lift your guests as they applaud you back up the aisle.

Traditional music for the recessional

• 'Wedding March' (from A Midsummer Night's Dream) - Felix Mendelssohn
• 'Prince of Denmark's March (Trumpet Voluntary)' - J.Clarke
• 'Hallelujah Chorus' (from The Messiah) - George F. Handel
• 'The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba' - Handel
• 'Allegro Maestoso' (Water Music Suite 2) - Handel

Non traditional and contemporary Recessional music

• 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' - Stevie Wonder
• 'All You Need Is Love' - The Beatles
• 'One Day Like This' - Elbow
• 'Here Comes The Sun' - The Beatles
• 'I'm A Believer' - The Monkeys

Religious music at a civil ceremony or non-religious wedding venue

If you're planning a non-religious wedding or civil ceremony - it is currently illegal to include any religious imagery, music or text. This includes extracts from any religious marriage ceremony, extracts from the Bible/Koran/Torah, and any religious music, songs, hymns, chants or poems.

This can affect the performance of many popular pieces of classical music such as 'Ave Maria' - even if the piece is performed instrumentally without the words being sung.

Some registrar's may turn a blind eye to the rules if you only want one piece of music without singing, or if the music is 'background' - but this is in no way assured. Although the rules were relaxed slightly in 2005, to be safe - you must get your final selection of music choices approved by your registrar in advance of your wedding day.

You can read more about this issue here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/jun/21/religion.immigrationpolicy

and also here:

Civil Ceremony Music Ideas

and here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4198176/God-is-now-invited-to-the-register-office-wedding.html

Getting the best value for money from your wedding musicians

Unless you're really going to town on your live music, it makes sense to have the musicians who perform throughout the ceremony also carry through into the drinks reception or wedding breakfast.

Most classical musicians offer packages to cover all aspects of your wedding day up until the evening party gets started. The only thing to bear in mind is that there will likely be a limit on the total playing time your musicians will agree to perform for. Three hours is usually the limit. Much more beyond that and you’ll very likely bore your guests' ears.

Also bear in mind when you're planning the itinerary for your day - that you will usually pay your musicians for the total time they are on site and not just for the performance duration.

The most common combination of performances is for your musicians to either play throughout the wedding ceremony and drinks reception, or else throughout the wedding ceremony and wedding breakfast.

Understanding how each type of musician will sound and what they can play

When it comes to selecting the right musicians for the kind of music you want played - it maybe helpful to understand how the sound varies between solo artists to ensembles, and how the number of musicians can affect the atmosphere they are able to create and the flexibility they can offer.

Solo instrumentalists: When performing a piece of music originally written for a full band or ensemble, a solo instrumentalist such as a Harpist or Guitarist, by nature of the instrument, will play a version of the music which picks out the main melody notes, probably those that represent the vocal line in the song. This sound, with the melody suspended in the air, with minimal supporting chords and rhythm, can have a beautiful, haunting quality.

Likewise, a solo vocalist with no accompaniment can really raise the hairs on the back of your guests' necks, as the delivery of the performance and lyric are so exposed and raw.

If emotional impact is what you’re after, then a solo instrumental/vocal performance will work brilliantly.

String Quartets and ensembles: By contrast, a string quartet or ensemble of musicians will be able to fill in the space behind the melody with chords, texture and counter rhythms; providing a fuller, richer sound. Because musically there's a lot more going on, the sound is a bit less 'on the edge' in terms of raw emotional impact, but then offers more in the way of colour and texture.

That said - professional Harpists, String Quartets, Pianists and Classical Guitarists will all be able to draw upon a wide and varied repertoire, enabling them to move effortlessly between the calm and serene, through to upbeat, foot tapping feel good music. This makes them particularly good at covering both the wedding ceremony and drinks reception as they can adapt to suit both parts of your day.

Outside Performances

If you would like your musicians to perform outdoors you MUST provide cover. It is as important to provide cover from the sun as it is to provide shelter from the wind and rain. The lacquer on some musical instruments is extremely sensitive to sun light - even for short spells.

Please try to position your musicians somewhere that they'll be able to sit comfortably and where they'll not be exposed to the elements. For most events - a small gazebo would be fine, just make sure the sides are covered so their sheet music doesn't blow away in the breeze.

That's the end of our guide.

Very many thanks to Charlotte from The Adelaide Quartet, Jessica Louise Harpist, Sarah from The Berkeley Trio, OL Harp and Amour Harp for your valuable input and expertise in putting this guide together.

If you have any questions please give us a call and we'll be happy to help!

Useful links to other pages on our site
Wedding music and wedding entertainment home page
Wedding ceremony entertainment ideas
Wedding reception entertainment ideas
Wedding party evening entertainment ideas