Music Sensations

These days, more couples are being married outside the traditional church type of setting. Whether it be on a sunny beach in the Caribbean, or in a garden at a banquet facility, with this change, couples are putting their own unique spin on all aspects of the ceremony including the music being played.

When planning your wedding day, you have to take the following 4 musical considerations:

1. The Prelude:
Choose the music to welcome your guests. Such music should set a cheerful, yet expectant atmosphere for what is soon to take place. The prelude can be classical, Latin guitar or a compilation of romantic songs by your favorite artists. Plan the prelude to begin 30 minutes before the ceremony.

2. The processionals for the Bridesmaids & the Bride:
The music for the processional consists of usually two, but sometimes only one, instrumental piece. The processional is the showpiece music when guests and bridegroom will see the bride for the first time in her beautiful gown. We do not see much customizing when it comes to the choice of processional music. The most popular selections are

* Traditional Bridesmaids' Procession: Canon in D by Pachelbel
* Traditional Bridal Procession: Bridal Chorus by Wagner

Alternative Pieces:
* Air on a G String by Bach
* Spring (Four Seasons) by Vivaldi
* Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach
* Largo by Vivaldi
* Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke
* Water Music by Handel

Quite a few brides also still choose to use the Traditional Bridesmaids' Processional for themselves, and another separate piece of music for their bridesmaids. But should the wedding party consist only of the bride and a maid (or matron) of honor, then they often will walk down the aisle with the same music.

A few important pointers to keep in mind: If you pick a vocal piece of music for the processional, either for the Bride or for the Bridesmaids, it is unlikely that you will not hear much of the song, and some many cases, perhaps only the introduction. In our years of experience we have noticed that no matter how many times you and your bridal party time coming down the aisle at just the right speed duuing the rehearsal, it always seem that on the actual wedding day, that everyone moves a little bit quicker, and often the bride is down the aisle in 45 to 60 seconds, and add in an average 30 seconds per bridesmaid. Therefore, it's wisdom to choose the song accordingly to its length.

3.The Signing of the Register:
With the signing of the register taking just over four minutes on average, when you factor in photographs and the time it actually takes to sign the marriage license, you will have enough time to hear at least one song, if not two; therefore, you have an opportunity to add something a little special to your ceremony. We recommend an extra slow song that is suggestive of the reception to follow.

Popular Songs suggestions for the Signing of the Register:

Traditional songs:
* Ava Maria (Too many artists to list)
* Air (from Water Music) by Handel
* Clair de Lune by Debussy
* Chanson de Matin by Elgar
* Fur Elise by Beethoven
* Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach
* Minuet by Boccherini
* Morning (from Peer Gynt Suite No.1) by Grieg
* Prelude in C by Bach
* Variations by Handel

Modern Songs:
* All I Ask of You by Andrew Lloyd Webber
* Blue Moon by Rod Stewart
* Come What May by Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman
* Evergreen by Barbra Streisand
* Falling by Alicia Keys
* From this Moment by Shania Twain
* Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart
* Heaven (Candlelight Version) by DJ Sammy
* I Only Want to Be With You by Vonda Shepherd
* Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
* Michelle by the Beatles
* Moon River by Andy Williams
* Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole
* She by Elvis Costello
* Story Book Love by Mark Knopfler
* There is Love by Noel Paul Stookey
* Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden

4. The Recessional:
More couples now are having a bit of fun with their musical selection for the recessional, and try to make a statement about their relationship. We have seen clients leave to every type of song such as Happy Together by the Turtles, Billie Jean by Michael Jackson, Highway to Hell by AC/DC and Another One Bites the Dust by Queen. So, don't be afraid to pick a piece that you can dance to, or at least bop back down the aisle. It is, after all, the happiest moment in your lives as newlyweds. In other words, celebrate! No one says you can't, and if they do, who cares? It is your wedding day and after all your hard work leading up to the big day, it's time to let loose and enjoy the moment now that you are Husband and Wife. Your guests will talk about it for a long time to come.

Traditional Wedding Recessional:
* Wedding March by Mendelssohn
* Fun & Up Beat Recessionals:
* All You Need is Love by the Beatles
* Beautiful Day by U2
* Better Together by Jack Johnson
* Can't Get Enough of Your Love Babe by Barry White
* Could You Be Loved by Bob Marley
* Everything by Michael Buble
* Happy Together by the Turtles
* I'm A Believer by Smash Mouth
* Let's Get Married Remix by Jagged Edge
* Love Me Do by the Beatles
* My Girl by the Temptations
* Over the Rainbow by Israel
Kamakawiwo'Ole
* Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder
* Sugar Sugar by the Archie's
* You're My First, My Last, My Everything by Barry White

Final Tip to Remember:
With the advent of YouTube.com and the huge number of wedding music websites and CD's has come numerous versions of the traditional music used for wedding ceremonies, please be sure you specify exactly which song version by which artist you are referring to when speaking with your entertainment supplier.