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Wedding Ceremony Songs
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If you are having a religious ceremony, the choice of music will mostly depend on the customs of the church where you are to be married. If the church has a choir, this gives added dimension to the ceremony. The choir can encourage the congregation to join in the singing. If you do decide on hiring the church choir or organist, find out when they will next perform at a wedding and go and listen to the wedding ceremony songs before you book their services. On making inquires to hire the choir find out the fees, it is the best man’s job on behalf of the groom to pay the choir usually before the wedding ceremony (usually in cash). There are many other options in musical instruments and vocals for the wedding ceremony songs; you may prefer to have one of the following: piano, violin, string quartet, flute, harp, trumpet, small chamber orchestra, soloist, or duet for your ceremony. Before booking any “outside” musicians check with the minister or priest if it is permitted to do so. If you are to be married at a register office, it is not usual to have wedding ceremony songs, although some registrars are prepared to make arrangements for the playing of recorded music (but do check with the registrar before your wedding). If you are marrying in a church it is usual to have wedding ceremony songs for the following:
Some wedding ceremony songs are so traditional that, even if you don’t like classical music, you will recognize it as soon as you hear it. The advantage of playing traditional wedding ceremony songs is that it will instantly get the wedding guests in the right mood. There is an
enormous range of music which can enhance and enrich the wedding
ceremony. There are hymns, anthems, psalms, marches, processionals. If
you are uncertain of the type of music to be played, the musician will
be able to advise you and give you ideas. Talk to them about your likes
and dislikes and what you would like to hear on your wedding day. Make
sure that you listen to the selected pieces of wedding ceremony songs
before a final decision is made. Here are some suggestions: The Prelude MusicThis is the first thirty to forty minutes before the bride arrives, and this is when the guests are arriving and taking their seats. Soft instrumental music and vocal solos are often preformed before the ceremony.This is followed by a vocal solo or choir piece which is performed after the mothers are seated. Remember to check with the minister or priest on the type of wedding music that is allowed to be played; and he may also be able to refer you to local musicians that have played in the church before. Suggested nuptial music to be played for the prelude are:
Air on a G String by Bach Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach In Thee is Joy by Beethoven Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee by Beethoven Biblical Songs by Dvorak Nimrod, from Enigma Variations by Elgar The Water Music by Handel The King of Love My Shepard is by Hinsworth Liebestraum by Liszt The Lord’s Prayer by Malotte Ave Maria by Schubert Prelude, Air and Gavotte by Wesley TipIf you are going to hire a vocalist or ensemble for your wedding music, schedule them to play when everyone has arrived and settled down so that they will actually be heard.The Processional MusicThis is played while the wedding party and bride walk down the aisle. It can either be the first hymn or an organ solo or other instrument.This is usually an uplifting piece of wedding music that places the bride at center stage. There is no law that says the bride has to walk down the aisle to the Bridal Chorus by Lohergrin, if you choose something else make sure it evokes some sort of fanfare. Go to Wedding Entrance Music for a list of popular processional music.
The InterludeIs the wedding ceremony songs that are played during the ceremony, it could be vocal or instrumental solos or folk songs performed after the vows. It can maintain a joyous mood throughout the ceremony. A combination of vocal and instrumental music can be a nice touch.If friends or relatives have talent on a professional level, and if they have preformed in public before, you may like to ask if they could play the prelude or do a solo after the vows, and as a thank you to them present them with a special gift at the reception. Hymns for the wedding music You might have a few favorite hymns of your own. Some hymns do seem more appropriate than others for wedding ceremony music.
Come, Holy Ghost Dear Lord and Father of Mankind God of Grace and God of Glory It’s a Joy to be Simple (to the tune of Lord of the Dance) I Vow to Thee My Country Jerusalem Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Morning Has Broken Now Thank We All Our Good O, Perfect Love, All Human Thought Transcending The King of Love My Shepherd Is All Creatures of our God and King All People that on Earth do Dwell All Things Bright and Beautiful As I Kneel Before You Blest Be the Tie that Binds Colors of Day Come Down, oh Love Divine The King of Love my Shepherd is The Lord is my Shepherd Lord of all Hopefulness Morning has Broken Shine, Jesus, Shine Walk with Me, oh my Lord Solos Wedding Music
I Follow Thee Also with Joylightend Footsteps by Bach Entreat Me Not to Leave Thee by Cassler Set Me as a Seal Upon Thy Heart (A Wedding Suite) by Clokey Be Thou Faithful Unto Death (Saint Paul) by Mendelssohn If With All Your Hearts (Elijah) by Mendelssohn Anthems
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach Ave Maria by Bach/Gounod The Holy City by Brahe How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place by Brahms I Will Not Leave Thee Comfortless by Byrd Where’er You Walk by Handel Zadok the Priest by Handel O Lord, Maker of All Things by Henry VIII Brother James’ Air (Psalm 23) by Jacob Bell Anthem by Purcell Music for signing the register
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desire by Bach Arioso by Bach The Call by Vaughan Williams Let the Bright Seraphim by Handel Panis Angelicus by Franck The recessional music This is a triumphant piece played as the newlyweds walk up the aisle as husband and wife, followed by the wedding party. The recessional calls for a lively piece of music (nothing too slow or dull.)
Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke Music for the Royal Fireworks by Handel Sonata in A Major (First Movement) by Mendelssohn Trumpet Overture, from the Indian Queen by Purcell Grand March, from Aida by Verdi Carillon de Westminster Opus 54 by Vierne Toccata in F, from Symphony No 5 by Widor Marche Pontificale by Widor Ode to Joy from Symphony No 3 by Beethoven Coronation March by Walton Trumpet Tune in C by Purcell Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Mendelssohn The Postlude MusicThis is played for the guests as they leave the church and until all the guests have filed out and joined the receiving line.Wedding BellsWedding bells are considered a sign of good luck. Many churches no longer have bells or bell ringers. If you are getting married in a church and the church does have bells, you may want to have the peal of bells to welcome you to the service and afterwards to announce and celebrate the marriage.Check with the minister or priest if this can be done. If bell ringing is possible, remember to book the bell ringers and find out about their fees. It is the best man’s job on behalf of the groom to pay the bell ringers on the wedding day before the ceremony (cash in an envelope is the best method). He should also signal the bell ringers when you are nearing the entrance of the church. |
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