| Over the past 50 years, wedding music has come to | | | | throughout including a number of hymns and songs of |
| include all of the above styles (with the exception of | | | | praise. Use of a church organ is almost always a part |
| patriotic music). Rather than choosing well-known | | | | of a such a wedding. You may also hear a harp or |
| pieces such as "Here Comes The Bride," "Canon in D," | | | | small string quartet as part of the prelude. Traditional |
| "Trumpet Voluntary," or "Joy of Man's Desiring," it is | | | | weddings often have separate music for each portion |
| becoming more common for the bride and groom to | | | | of the ceremony including the prelude, the |
| choose songs that are familiar to them (e.g., the song | | | | processional, the ceremony itself, the recessional and |
| that was playing when they met or got engaged). | | | | the interlude, which is often part of the reception |
| Thoughtful songs with meaningful lyrics are the norm. | | | | following the wedding. |
| For many couples, the type of music (and number of | | | | For the wedding reception and dance, a four or |
| musicians) they choose often depends on their | | | | five-piece band is common (e.g., guitar, piano, bass, |
| budget. At a wedding today, it is not unusual to see | | | | drums, and a vocalist). These groups often have |
| a single vocalist accompanying themselves on guitar | | | | additional responsibilities such as the leader acting as |
| or piano. If the musician is experienced and | | | | the MC, and the band playing certain songs at certain |
| accomplished, they can perform a nice rendition of | | | | times (such as the first dance of the bride and |
| the chosen song without the aid of other musicians. | | | | groom). |
| "The Wedding Song (There Is Love)" written by Paul | | | | A recent phenomena is having a DJ supply the music |
| Stookey, of Peter, Paul & Mary, is perhaps the | | | | for the wedding reception and dance. This is growing |
| best-known contemporary wedding song and has | | | | in popularity because those at the dance can request |
| been heard in ceremonies and pre-ceremonies for | | | | songs and hear them (from CDs) exactly as they |
| over 40 years. Other popular songs played at | | | | know them (rather than having a band play their own |
| weddings include: "Endless Love," "Leather and Lace," | | | | rendition of the song). |
| "Evergreen," "Unforgettable," and "We've Only Just | | | | Another reason DJs are becoming the norm is they |
| Begun." Some songwriters, knowing that having a | | | | are usually less expensive than a live band and they |
| song of theirs being played at ceremonies | | | | don't require a large stage. Plus, because DJs play |
| everywhere could generate a large income, | | | | CDs, the wedding party knows exactly how the |
| concentrate solely on writing songs for weddings. But | | | | music will sound. Finally, having a DJ means there is |
| for most part, a song becomes a standard through | | | | only one person to deal with (rather than four of five |
| circumstance (and the fact that it expresses a | | | | band members, one of which may be late or wearing |
| certain sentiment). | | | | the wrong clothes). |
| A traditional wedding may make use of sacred music | | | | |