There are many parts of the wedding ceremony where music is appropriate. Use the following guide to help you with choosing your musical selections for each part of the ceremony.
PRELUDE
The prelude is a time before the service where music is played as your guests are arriving. Typically, prelude music starts 15 minutes prior to the start of the service. The bride and groom do not need to choose the music for the prelude, as the musicians play simple background music.
FAMILY SEATING
At this time, the families of the bride and groom are seated. Decide how many family members are to enter at this time, as it will tell the musicians how long they need to play. You many want to choose a piece of music that would be sentimental to your families as they enter. You will need someone to cue the musicians, as the families are about to enter.
ATTENDANTS
This selection will be for the wedding party, including flower girls, candle lighting, ring bearers, bridesmaids and groomsmen. You can have as few or as many in your wedding party as you wish, but this will determine how long the musicians are to play. You can have multiple selections if the bridesmaids and groomsmen are entering separately.
BRIDAL PROCESSIONAL
This is the most important song of the ceremony! Select a song that is sentimental to you in some way and conveys the mood you want as you walk down the aisle.
CEREMONY MUSIC
You can have music played at any point in the service, including the lighting of the unity candle, before or after the vows are taken, or the recognition of the parents. Design the ceremony the way you want it and then decide where music would be appropriate. You can have as few or as many selections in the ceremony as you want.
RECESSIONAL MUSIC
Joyous and celebratory music is played as you walk up the aisle with your new spouse. Postlude music can be played as your guests leave the ceremony.