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                    Alicia and David       
                     April 25th, 2008



Music During the Ceremony

Music can be incorporated into the wedding ceremony in a variety of ways.  Many future brides want to know how common it is to have music performed during the ceremony and whether or not they should choose that option.  Roughly 60% of weddings do not have music performed during the ceremony.

For those that do use music it usually occurs during the lighting of the Unity Candle or the sand ceremony.  Some couples may want background music to be played during the blessing of a child that will be joined in a new family, or a prayerful moment.  Another possibility is to have music played softly while the minister, or someone else, is speaking (perhaps during a prayer or dedication.)
 
Finally, some couples want to have a particular song performed as a solo during the ceremony.  Usually this song is of tremendous sentimental value to the couple.  Sara typically performs an abbreviated version (approx. 2 minutes) of the requested song, as opposed to the full-length version.  The reason for this being that during the ceremony four minutes of standing and facing each other in front of a large group of people is going to seem like a very long time.
 
Suggestions for Unity Candle and Sand Ceremony:

1. Come Away With Me
        Norah Jones
2. At Last 
    (Etta James) Harry Warren
3. Ave Maria
        Franz Schubert
4. Prelude in C Major
        J.S.Bach
5. From This Moment On
        Shania Twain
6. One Hand, One Heart
        Leonard Bernstein
7. Amazing Grace
        John Newton
8. The Lord's Prayer
        Alfred Hay Malotte
9. The Wedding Song
        Kenny G
10. The Wedding Song
        Paul Stookey
11. You Light Up My Life
        Debbie Boone
12. The Rose 
        Amanda McBroom
13. Songbird
        Fleetwood Mac
14. Hymne
        Vangelis
          
           
Recessional

The recessional is the music that the newly married couple will exit to.  It is usually a very upbeat and light-hearted selection.  Several ideas are listed below.

Suggestions for recessional:

1. Here Comes the Sun
        The Beatles
2. At Last
        (Etta James) Harry Warren
3. Wedding March
        Felix Mendelssohn
4. "Spring" from The Four Seasons
        Antonio Vivaldi
5. All You Need is Love
        The Beatles
6. Bouree from Variations on
        a Theme in the Ancient Style
        Carlos Salzedo
7. Hornpipe from Water Music
       George F. Handel
8. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
        J.S.Bach     
9. Glisses, Variation IV
       Carlos Salzedo
10. Ode to Joy
       Ludwig Van Beethoven


Special Requests

Sara tries to be as accommodating as possible in regards to her client's music selection.  If you would like to request a piece of music that does not appear on the Song List simply submit the title and composer of the piece to Sara for review.  If the selection is not possible you will be notified immediately.

Please note that special requests must be received at least 30 days in advance in order to be considered.  The harp is an incredibly diverse instrument, as is Sara's repertoire.  Most pieces of music that are appropriate at wedding ceremonies are also possible on the harp.  You can use the Song List page as a guide for what works well.
 


Indecision

If you are having trouble selecting music for your ceremony please rest assured you are not alone!  Many couples begin the process not really sure of what they want.  Hopefully the ideas presented here will be helpful to you.  Planning a wedding is an intricate and laborious task, as you probably already know.  All the best!

Welcome to the Essential Harp wedding page.  Here you will find a few tips on planning your ceremony music as well as several suggestions for each segment of the ceremony.  Often times couples have difficulty selecting music for their ceremony.  The obvious reason for this being that your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and you want it to be PERFECT!  An additional challenge is posed to those who are not musically inclined.  Hopefully the following paragraphs will shed some light on the process.

Below you will find key elements of a wedding ceremony and some advice on how to select your music.  Please keep in mind that the following information has been compiled from 19 years of wedding experience from a front row seat, but should merely serve as a guideline.  Every ceremony really is different.
 

Prelude Music

The prelude music occurs while your guests are arriving and being seated prior to the start of the ceremony.  This is usually 20 minutes before the ceremony begins.  In most cases the harp music begins at the arrival of the first guest.  The prelude music helps set the tone for the rest of the day because it is the first thing your guests will hear.  An even mixture of flowing harp pieces and familiar tunes usually provide the best combination.

Unfortunately the bride and her closest family members will not hear much of the prelude music, with the exception of a few notes that will make it to the Bridal Dressing Room.  Because of this you may want to select music specifically geared towards those that will be listening.  Maybe your uncle's favorite composer is Debussy, or your grandmother must be seated before the ceremony begins and you would like to include several of her favorites.

The prelude is also a great place for you to insert your special requests that might not fit as smoothly into the ceremony itself.  Selections for the prelude are typically of a slow to moderate tempo, and slightly contemplative.  

Suggestions for prelude music:

1. Over the Rainbow 
        Harold Arlen
2. Prelude in C Major
        J.S.Bach
3. Romance Without Words
           Felix Godefroid
4. Can't Help Falling in Love 
           Weiss, Peretti
5. All I Ask of You
       Andrew L. Webber
6. My Heart Will Go On
        from Titanic
           James Horner
7. Unforgettable
        Irving Gordon
8. Clair de Lune
        Claude Debussy
9. The Long and Winding Road
           The Beatles
10. Adagio  from 
        Moonlight Sonata
           Ludwig Van Beethoven 
11. Somewhere in Time   
        John Barry        

Seating of the
Parents

Some couples choose 
to have a special selection played 
specifically for the seating of the parents and grandparents.  There are a couple of things that you should think about when considering this option.  Although it may sound silly, the length of the aisle to be walked should be one of the determining factors.  The other thing to consider is the total number of pairs that will be seated.  If there are only two pairs to be seated then having a separate musical selection for them might not make sense.  If the seating of the parents and grandparents will take several minutes then it would be wise to make a special selection!  

Assuming that you choose to make a request for this portion, this is where the queuing between Sara and the ceremony coordinator would begin.  A sweet idea for the seating of the parents is to have a selection that was also performed at your mother's wedding.  This is also a great place for mom's or dad's favorite song since they will be walking down the aisle to it.             

Suggestions for seating of the parents:

1. Unchained Melody
         Righteous Brothers
2. The Rose 
         Amanda McBroom
3. What a Wonderful World
         Louis Armstrong
         (Weiss & Thiele)
4. The Wind Beneath my Wings
         Henley and Silbar
5. Romeo and Juliet
        Theme From the Movie
          Nino Rota
6. Longer
        Don Fogelberg
7. You Are So Beautiful
         Preston & Fisher
8. Sunrise, Sunset
         Harnick & Bock      
        

Processional

The processional music introduces the wedding party and serves as their walking music.  In general, this music should have the tempo of a slow walking pace.  A great example of this is Canon in D by Pachelbel of Romance Without Words, both of which can be heard on this site.  



Bride's Entrance 

Most brides choose something rather traditional for their walk down the aisle.  In all likelihood, this selection is one you have already decided on.  A few of the standard choices are listed below.


Suggestions for bride's entrance:

1. Bridal Chorus
       Richard Wagner
2. Canon in D
       Johann Pachelbel
3. Ave Maria
       Franz Schubert
4. Glisses from Variation on a
       Theme in the Ancient Style
       Carlos Salzedo