| Not all songs are created equal. The type of wedding | | | | are: |
| ceremony music that you choose will be quite | | | | * Wedding March from a Midsummer Night's Dream |
| different from the wedding reception music. There is | | | | by Mendelssohn |
| also the consideration on the type of wedding you | | | | * Overture from The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart |
| will be having - whether it is a traditional religious | | | | * Bridal March by Hollins |
| ceremony or a less formal occasion, such as a garden | | | | * Ode to Joy by Beethoven |
| wedding or beach wedding. In this article, we are | | | | * Nothings Going To Stop Us Now by Jefferson |
| going to be looking at music choices that would fit | | | | Starship |
| into a more formal and religious atmosphere. | | | | * Beautiful Day by U2 |
| What Type Of Music Is Needed For Each Segment | | | | * Walking On Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves |
| In a traditional ceremony arrangement, low-key | | | | * Forever and Ever, Amen by Randy Travis |
| instrumental music is usually played and begins about | | | | Tips For Planning Your Music Selections |
| a half hour before the ceremony begins. This is called | | | | Before you select any music, soloists or |
| the Prelude. Most times, if you don't have any real | | | | instrumentalists, you will need to get the answers to |
| choices in songs, the organist will play the typical | | | | certain questions as follows: |
| wedding selections that other bride's and groom's | | | | 1) Speak with your clergy member to find out if the |
| have used. If you wish to pick your own Prelude | | | | religious venue you are considering provides an |
| songs, a few of the more popular choices are: | | | | organist and/or choir. What other types of musicians |
| * Canon in D by Pachelbel | | | | are allowed and can he/she recommend anyone? Are |
| * Air From Water Music by Handel | | | | other types of musicians allowed such as a harpist, |
| * Ave Maria by Bach | | | | flutist, guitarist, etc.? Can he/she recommend any |
| * Greensleeves by David Chamberlain | | | | soloists? |
| * Waltz (from Sleeping Beauty) by Tchaikovsky | | | | 2) You will also need to determine if there are any |
| * We've Only Just Begun by The Carpenters | | | | restrictions on the types of songs and music played |
| * Tonight I Celebrate My Love (For You) by Peabo | | | | during the ceremony. In a very strict, religious church, |
| Bryson & Roberta Flack | | | | you may be prohibited from playing any non-religious |
| * Breathless by Kenny G | | | | songs. |
| You will then need to choose what music you would | | | | 3) If the church or synagogue provides an organist |
| prefer for your Processional (as you walk down the | | | | or other instrumentalist, what is the fee that is |
| aisle). Some brides will elect to have traditional | | | | charged for using them? What if you wish to use a |
| instrumental music such as Canon in D, Ave Maria, | | | | friend or a particular organist rather than the one |
| and of course the tune that everyone knows: The | | | | provided, are you allowed to substitute? |
| Wedding March (Here Comes The Bride). However, | | | | 4) Determine what type of mood you want for your |
| more and more of today's brides are choosing tunes | | | | ceremony. Some couples want a more serious, |
| from popular song artists. Here is a short list of | | | | solemn service, while other couples want a fun-filled, |
| Processional songs that tend to be favorites: | | | | vibrant atmosphere. This will help you in your |
| * Power Of Love by Celine Dion | | | | selection of wedding music, as well as determining |
| * What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and | | | | the best soloist and musicians to hire. |
| Kenny G | | | | 5) If you have any friends or family members that |
| * Endless Love by Lionel Ritchie and Diana Ross | | | | are gifted musicians, you may want to consider |
| * Grow Old With Me by Mary Chapin Carpenter | | | | asking them to provide the songs and music. It will |
| * Look At You Girl by Chris Ledoux | | | | provide an added personal touch to your ceremony. |
| * From This Moment On by Shania Twain | | | | Be sure to thank them by presenting them with a |
| * Because you Loved me by Celine Dion | | | | small gift. In some cases, you may need to hire them |
| * Only Time by Enya | | | | just as you would any other professional musician, |
| * This I Swear by Nick Lachey | | | | but it is usually much less expensive to do so. |
| * Nadia's Theme by Barry De Vorzon and Perry | | | | 6) Once you determine what music and songs you |
| Botkin, Jr. | | | | will be using, make sure all soloists and musicians have |
| During the ceremony itself, there will be breaks when | | | | a copy of the music list along with when they are to |
| you will need to provide solos, hymns or instrumental | | | | be sung/played. If any of the songs or music are |
| music, such as when you are signing the register. | | | | new to your performers, make sure you provide |
| Some common pieces sung by soloists are: | | | | sheet music and give it to them early so they can |
| * Wedding (There Is Love) by Stookey | | | | prepare. |
| * Ave Maria by Schubert | | | | 7) Purchase tapes and CD's of wedding music to |
| * Evergreen by Barbra Streisand | | | | listen to. This will help make your choices much easier. |
| * One Hand, One Heart (West Side Story) by | | | | As you can see, there are quite a few details to |
| Bernstein and Sondheim | | | | resolve when planning out your wedding ceremony |
| * Sunrise, Sunset (Fiddler on the Roof) by Harnick | | | | music. The above song suggestions are the ones |
| and Bock | | | | more traditionally chosen. However, there are always |
| * Ode to Joy by Beethoven | | | | new popular songs by song artists that can also be |
| Finally the ceremony ends and the bride and groom | | | | wonderful choices for a wedding ceremony. Keep |
| turn to leave to the sounds of the Recessional. Here | | | | your ears open for them. Hopefully, the above |
| you will want a vibrant, joyous song or instrumental | | | | guidelines should give you a good start toward |
| to play. You may choose from classical music or the | | | | picking the perfect music that will personalize your |
| more popular pop songs of today. A few examples | | | | own wedding. |