samanthasbridal.co.ke

It’s more important to look your best on some days rather than others. And no day is quite as crucial as your wedding day. This is the one time (hopefully) when you’re guaranteed to be the star of the show. It’s the day when all your family and friends will see you at the same time. This is the music played during the ceremony. The choice depends on whether your wedding is formal or informal and the vast range of music selections available. The ceremony music features music at the following times:

Prelude music:
Provides background music as guests are ushered in and helps to set the wedding ambiance. It is played 15 to 30 minutes before the ceremony begins while the guests get seated.

Processional music:
This is the song that announces the bride and the wedding party’s entrance as they walk to

ALTER

Ceremony music:
Is played during the ceremony.

Recessional music:
Is played as the wedding party leaves the wedding ceremony site.

Postlude:
This is the piece of music played while the guests leave the ceremony site.

Options: The most traditional musical instrument for the wedding ceremonies is the organ. Today though, guitars, pianos, flutes, harps, and violins are also very popular. Church choir, recorded music and hired band are other options.

POPULAR SELECTIONS FOR CHRISTIAN WEDDING
Trumpet Voluntary by Purcell The Bridal Chorus by Wagner Wedding March by Mendelssohn Postlude in G Major by Handel Canon in D Major by Panchelbel Adagio in A Minor by Bach

Things to consider: Music may or may not be included as part of the ceremony site fee. If you intend to have a religious wedding discuss with your pastor or priest the restrictions pertaining to music selections if any. Check the availability of musical instruments for your use. Discuss the selection of ceremony music with your officiant and musicians and make sure the musicians know how to play the selections you request.

When selecting ceremony music, keep in mind the formality of your wedding, your religious affiliation and the length of the ceremony.

You will also consider the location and time of day. If the ceremony is outside where there may be other kinds of noises such as traffic, wind, or peoples’ voices, or if a large number of guests will be attending your ceremony, consider having the music, your officiant and your vows amplified. Make sure there are electrical outlets close to where the instrument will be set up.

Tips to save money: Ask a friend to sing at your ceremony; they will be honoured. If you are planning to hire a band for your reception, consider hiring a scaled-down version of the same band to play at your ceremony, such as a trio of flute, guitar, and vocals. This could enable you to negotiate a “package” price. If you are planning to hire a DJ for your reception, consider hiring him or her to play pre-recorded music at your ceremony.

RECEPTION MUSIC
Music is a major part of your reception, and should be planned carefully. Music helps create the atmosphere of your wedding and special songs will make your ceremony unique. When you select music for your reception, keep in mind the age and music preference of your guests, your budget and any restrictions that the reception site may have. Bands and musicians are typically more expensive than DJ’s.

Options: There are many options for reception music: you can hire a DJ, a band, an orchestra, or any combination of one or more instruments and vocalists.

Things to consider:

• Choose a reliable DJ or band that will play the type of music you want. Whoever you choose should have experience performing at wedding receptions.

• If you want your musician to act as Master of Ceremony, make sure s/he is familiar with the sequence of events and knows how to announce the various events such as the toasts, first dance, and cutting of the cake.

• Consider watching your musicians perform at another event before booking their services.

• Consider hiring a professional DJ who can play any type of music if you need a large variety of music to satisfy all your guests. Make sure you give him/her a list of the songs you want played.