Mid-Valley Voice

Music to Marry By

When you envision yourself walking down the aisle, what do you hear? Music sets the tone for the celebration that is your marriage. You have many choices when it comes to music for your ceremony.

Selecting Your Musicians: Your wedding musical ensemble can either be grandiose or subtle. For a more subtle sound, combine two or three flutes with a keyboard. You can include violins, harps and trumpets if you're looking for a bigger sound. And when it comes to voices, it's usually best to feature just one voice with a vocal style you enjoy, or two who combine to create harmonies.

Dealing With Religious Music Requirements/Restrictions: If you have to include certain religious music, such as the Catholic "Holy Holy" or the Jewish "Simon Tov Heranu Shalom," your musicians should be able to accommodate your needs. It's their job to be familiar with religious music, and professional musicians can make arrangements to learn a special piece if given enough time to find musical arrangements.

Selection Suggestions:

Prelude: The prelude music begins when the doors open to guests approximately 20 minute before the ceremony begins. The prelude will serenade your guests as they enter and take their seats.

- "Water Music" - Handel

- "Flower Song" from "Lakme" - Delibes

- "Minuet" from "Orpheus"

- "Sheep May Safely Graze" - Bach

Processional: This is the music that will be played as your bridesmaids meet their groomsmen and for the bride's grand entrance. You can choose just one of these pieces or a combination of two.

- "Canon in D Minor" - Pachelbal

- "Entre'acte to Act 3" from "Carmen" - Bizet

- "The Bridal Chorus" ("Here Comes the Bride") - Wagner

- "Trumpet Voluntary in D" - Purcell

- "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" - Bach

Interlude: Select interlude pieces to be played during especially meaningful moments during your ceremony, such as the ring exchange, the lighting of the unity candles, the breaking of the glass, and/or the presentation of flowers to the parents of the bride and groom.

- "Only Time" - Enya

- "The Gift of Love" (Traditional) - arranged by Hopson

- "Ave Maria" - Schubert

- "O Mio Babbino Caro" - Puccini

Recessional: During the recessional, the bride and groom take their first walk as husband and wife. Celebratory music is in order.

- "Ode to Joy" - Beethoven

- "Vivace" from "Flute Sonata in F" - Telemann

- Fourth movement from "Austia Flute Sonata in F" - Handel