| Well you can! I certainly did. But before you get too | | | | decide to go down this path, obviously, you won't be |
| excited, here are some things to consider when | | | | choosing the latest Celine Dion song to be performed. |
| choosing the music for your wedding ceremony. | | | | The instrumentation of your ensemble will largely |
| Firstly, what type of ceremony will it be? A garden | | | | dictate the type of music that will be available for |
| ceremony? A church ceremony? A ceremony at your | | | | you. As a rule, if you are going to have classical music |
| reception? Each of these venues will have its own | | | | or hymns, stick to a classical type ensemble. |
| limitations and advantages. Let's take a look one by | | | | Examples of this are string ensembles, woodwind |
| one. | | | | ensembles, brass ensembles, choirs, classical guitarists, |
| GARDEN CEREMONIES | | | | classical harpist, organists and opera singers. You |
| While you'll generally have plenty of room if the | | | | could even organise a large orchestra, if there is |
| ceremony takes place in a public park or garden, | | | | room and of course a budget. |
| things like acoustics make work against you. For | | | | If you want modern music performed at your |
| instance, the direction of the wind blowing may cause | | | | ceremony, you may want to book a contemporary |
| the string quartet not to be heard clearly by the | | | | male or female vocalist along with a keyboard player, |
| congregation. If an instrument is being played | | | | guitarist or small ensemble. Some vocalists can |
| acoustically, that is without amplification, it is always | | | | perform with backing tracks and this can prove quite |
| best if there are walls and a roof surrounding it. The | | | | economical. Of course the other alternative for both |
| reason is that sound bounces off walls and surfaces. | | | | classical music and modern music is the CD player. |
| The size and height of the walls and roofs will always | | | | The challenge with the CD player option, especially if |
| affect the sound. An acoustic performance outside | | | | the CD player is in a back room of the church or |
| has nothing to contain it therefore sound escapes | | | | somewhere not in direct viewing line of the altar, is |
| quickly. | | | | the timing of entry of the music cue. Even if the CD |
| Another consideration with garden ceremonies is that | | | | player is close by, I implored you to choose a CD |
| there may be a lack of power source. If you are | | | | operator who is alert and on the ball. It would not |
| considering using music on a CD player, you may | | | | look good if the music starts while the priest or vicar |
| need a very long extension lead. Common sense, I | | | | is still speaking. Worse still, everyone may be sitting |
| know, however, it is amazing how these little details | | | | waiting for the music to start. Something as simple as |
| get overlooked. | | | | hitting a play button can make some people nervous |
| CHURCH CEREMONIES | | | | in this situation. You need to choose someone who |
| The size of the church, the denomination, and the | | | | can handle a bit of pressure and is perhaps is a bit |
| physical space at the altar, will certainly have an | | | | technical. In this situation, it is better to be safe. You'll |
| effect on the type of music that you will eventually | | | | only get one chance to get it right. |
| have played at your ceremony. Some churches do | | | | CEREMONIES AT THE RECEPTION |
| not allow popular music and are only limited to hymns | | | | For some couples, it is convenient to have the |
| and classical music. You'll need to check this with your | | | | ceremony just before the Reception. This eliminates |
| church. Some churches have their own choir, and | | | | another venue to organise and make things simpler. |
| consequently may have room behind the altar for a | | | | Again, you'll have all of the music choices that you |
| performance group. Alternatively, there may be | | | | would at a church, along with the CD player option. |
| some room at the side of the altar or at the front of | | | | An advantage here maybe that the entertainment |
| it. Once you've checked with the church how much | | | | you book for the wedding reception, ie the band, |
| room is available, you will then be able to work out | | | | maybe able to perform during the ceremony as well. |
| what ensemble types and sizes are available for you. | | | | You may only need to book one group for both the |
| Generally speaking, a string trio can fit into at 2m x | | | | ceremony and the reception. This will certainly save |
| 2m (9ft x 9ft) area. Keep in mind, you will also need | | | | you some money. Alternatively, any classical type |
| to provide chairs for the performance group and | | | | ensemble is able to be booked and perform the |
| sometimes even music stands. | | | | reception for an hour and perform before, during and |
| A lot of churches have their own organ, and usually | | | | after your ceremony. |
| an organist can be booked through the church. If you | | | | |