Bridal
Wedding music: processionals, first dances and beyond
Music turns a wedding from a sequence of events into an experience. It tells guests when to rise, when to smile and when to dance.
Think back to any wedding you have attended and you will probably remember the music: the moment the processional began and everyone turned to look, the joyful tune as the couple walked back down the aisle, the first dance. Music shapes the emotional rhythm of the day, and choosing it is one of the most personal parts of wedding planning.
Wikipedia's article on wedding music notes that music is often played during the ceremony and at festivities before or after it, and that it may be performed live by instrumentalists or singers or be pre-recorded, depending on the format of the event, local traditions and the wishes of the couple. It also observes that while parts of a ceremony may be personalised, the order of service usually follows a similar pattern.
The prelude
According to Wikipedia, a prelude often precedes the wedding: guests arrive while ambient music plays, usually calm and light, setting the mood without being distracting. Among the popular prelude pieces it names are the Air on the G String and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. A string quartet, a guitarist, a harpist or a pianist is ideal for the prelude, playing softly as guests find their seats.
The processional
The processional is the moment everyone waits for. Wikipedia notes that music can announce the arrival of the participants of the wedding, such as the bride's processional, and mentions the Bridal Chorus from the opera Lohengrin as a traditional example. Many couples choose a different piece for the attendants and for the bride, so that her entrance feels distinct.
Choose something with a steady, stately pace, and time it with your musicians so that the music reaches a natural high point as the bride arrives at the front.
During the ceremony
Wikipedia notes that there may be a few hymns during the service, especially in liturgical settings. Music can also accompany the signing of the register or a moment of reflection, and a soloist can add a quiet, moving touch.
The recessional
At the end of the service, Wikipedia explains, the couple march back up the aisle to a lively recessional tune, a popular one being the Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream. Whatever you choose, the recessional should feel joyful and celebratory. It is the first moment of your married life, and the music should say so.
At the reception
The reception offers more freedom. Background music during drinks and dinner should be pleasant but allow conversation. Then comes the first dance, a moment many couples plan carefully. Choose music that means something to you both, whether it is the tune playing when you met, one you danced to on an early date, or simply one you love. Some couples take a few dance lessons together, which can be a fun and romantic part of the lead-up to the wedding.
After the first dance, the party begins. Think about your guests' tastes, include music for different generations, and give your band or DJ a list of must-plays and do-not-plays.
Music for a wedding abroad
Marrying far from home adds some extra considerations, and some wonderful opportunities.
- Local musicians. Hiring musicians at your destination adds a sense of place. A steel band on a Caribbean beach, a string trio in an Italian garden, a folk ensemble in a mountain village or a guitarist playing local music can make the wedding unforgettable. Ask your planner for recommendations, and ask for recordings.
- Language. Make sure the musicians understand your running order and cues. A written schedule, agreed in advance, avoids confusion.
- Outdoor settings. Wind, waves and open spaces swallow sound. Ask whether amplification is needed and whether power is available.
- Rules. Some venues and beaches have restrictions on amplified music or on playing after a certain hour. Check before you book.
- Recorded music. For a very small wedding, a carefully chosen playlist on a good speaker can work beautifully. Assign a trusted friend to manage it.
Music as a memory
Long after the wedding, the music you chose will bring the day back. Many couples find that hearing their processional or first-dance music years later instantly returns them to that moment. The guide to love notes explores music as a shared memory, and famous weddings looks at the grand ceremonies whose music has inspired so many couples. For the other traditions of the day, see the wedding cake.
Choose music you love, not what you think you should have. It is your wedding, and it should sound like the two of you.