Your Wedding Music: Tips from a Church Organist

The Basic Components of the Wedding Ceremony 

From an Organist's Viewpoint

• Prelude - Music is generally played before the start of the service, as guests are seated. What instrumentation do you want for this time period? Soft piano music is a nice background as the guests arrive, or a harpist is a beautiful idea. String quartets are another popular option. Or if you have a lot of musical friends, ask them to each do a number during the prelude, or have your soloist sing a song right before the ceremony starts.
• Processional - The processional consists of the entrance of the wedding party, culminating with the entrance of the bride. Do you want the same song for the entire processional, or one song for the attendants, and another when the bride enters? There are many complimentary songs that work together - a softer song as the bridesmaids enter, then a brief fanfare to announce the bride, and perhaps an organ / trumpet duet or string quartet piece. One of the nicest weddings I attended recently featured a soloist singing the great Etta James song "At Last" as the bride walked up the aisle. There was not a dry eye in the place!
• Unity Candle - Some couples will light a unity candle during the service and have soft music played, or a song by a soloist. My only suggestion here is that it doesn't take long to light a candle. I've often played for weddings where the bride and groom stand together by the unity candle, lovingly gazing into each other eyes ..... only to have their eyes glaze over as the soloist sings, and sings, and sings all four verses of that great ballad they picked. My biggest advice: pick a short song for this element of the ceremony.
• Hymns - Do you want one or more hymns sung during the wedding? Are these sung by the congregation or by a choir? Will the words be printed in the bulletin (check on copyright laws) or sung from hymnbooks? Are the hymns familiar enough to most of your guests? Do you want the soloist to help lead the congregation during the singing?
• Recessional - You've exchanged your vows, and as you walk down the aisle, the recessional is played, usually joyous, happy music to send you on your way. The same song is generally played as the wedding party exits the church, and often the parents as well. This is a great time for a trumpet / organ piece, IMHO.
• Postlude - Light, joyous music is played as your guests depart the church, or are ushered out. If the bride and groom are ushering out the guests, you might want some softer music so you can talk with your guests at this time. Organ or piano, harp, string quartet are all lovely choices.