Here is some helpful information to consider when planning the music for your wedding:
Wedding Music Information
What is the theme or mood of your wedding? If it is formal, perhaps a more traditional style of music is appropriate, while more contemporary music is fitting for a less traditional wedding.
Is there a particular song that is meaningful to you as a couple? It’s often a nice touch to have your pastor set up the song by explaining why it is special to you. Couples also often like to have a song at their wedding that was used in their parents or grandparents wedding. This is a sentimental touch that can be a great gift for family members. If a song is too traditional for you, ask your soloist or instrumentalist if they can make it a little more contemporary. New arrangements can really change the sound and feel of a song without changing the lyrical content.
Who is singing and what will be the accompaniment? Songs on the radio don’t always sound the same when the original artist isn’t singing it, or with a piano rather than a band or accompaniment track. You might ask your soloist(s) to sing the song for you, complete with the accompaniment they will use prior to making your final selections. Vocal accompaniment tracks are also available for many songs you might want, which will insure that the background music will be as close as possible to the original.
Pay close attention to the words! If you are choosing a song from the radio, it may sound nice, but make sure all the words are appropriate for a wedding ceremony. While some churches have no stipulations about what music is performed during a wedding, there are also those that will not allow secular music (songs not of a religious nature); others may want to review the lyrics and give their approval. If you are getting married in a church, check with your wedding coordinator or minister regarding their specific guidelines.
Be sure to go over your sound needs with your vocalist(s). What size will your wedding be? How many guests do you expect? Is there a sound system at the wedding location? Is there a piano? Does the church have a CD player? All of these items are important information for your musicians and also effect your song selection.
If you have a difficult time narrowing your choice down to an appropriate number of songs, (usually one to three during a ceremony), you might think about having one or two vocal numbers at your reception…just before the toast or as your first dance. Your vocalist(s) will usually be available for an additional fee.
Have you heard your vocalist(s)? Recommendations are helpful and appreciated, but your taste in musical style may vary from that of a well-meaning friend or family member. It is a good idea to ask for a Demo; it’s always nice to know, first hand, what your vocalist(s) will sound like so there are no unpleasant surprises!
