Wedding Music
Planning Guide

Music is the least costly wedding expense, but an essential final ingredient for the success of your wedding and reception. Music ties together your efforts combined with those by dressmakers, tailors, florists, clergy, photographer, and caterers. Live music creates a classy, sophisticated ambiance which cannot be created by a DJ.

Prelude Music - Prelude music, generally calm in nature, acts to announce the coming ceremony and encourage guests to be seated. Continuous prelude selections are played until the signal is given to start the processional music. The signal generally comes from an usher or wedding planner. Do not worry about choosing how many songs or how long they need to last. Artists bring lots of music and fill as needed until the processional begins.

Processional Music - Bridal party processional music should be of a regal, stately, majestic nature to announce the entrance of the bridal party and bride. We suggest one musical selection for the bridal attendants, and a separate, special regal work to herald the bride’s arrival.

Inter-ceremonial Music - Music can be also performed within the ceremony, although not always. It can be played under a reading, during the unity candle lighting, for the offertory, for the presentation of flowers/gifts to the parents or Holy Mother.

Vocal selections: (if any) - Songs are generally sung just before or during the seating of the parents or during the ceremony. Titles, keys, and editions usually need to be discussed with the singer. To protect your budget, we suggest vocal selections be sung with keyboard accompaniment or provide  their own accompaniment.

Recessional Music - Recessional music is celebratory, joyous, lively, very rhythmic, and in very bright keys. It is played after the presentation of the newly married couple.

Postlude Music - Postlude selections are performed during the exiting of the guests. Joyous, lively, and very rhythmic music is played until the last row is emptying and the service is clearly over. Selections do not have to be chosen by title or length of time.

Wedding Music choices can begin as soon as your signed performance agreement and deposit are on file. Once the instrument/s are decided upon, repertoire lists are available to help guide you in the selection process. (This is in addition to the sample lists in this web site.) Repertoire lists are available
for various artists and ensembles. Contact vcello1@comcast.net  to request  sample lists.

Music Requests Deadline - The order of the ceremony, music requests, and final payment due needs to be in the music office no later than two weeks prior to the event. You, your wedding party, and family need that extra time to prepare for the big day. We want to leave our event with a smile, congratulations, and a thank you so you may continue to enjoy the event and your guests. At that time, we feel looking for payment for services rendered at the end of your special event is inappropriate.  

Wedding planning list - Contact vcello1@comcast.net  to request  a performance agreement and a wedding planning request form to use in completing  your wedding music plans. It will be included in your inquiry packet sent from our office and is also available to download on page 1 of this web site. To secure our expert, comprehensive search and planning services, fill it in and return it to our office with your signed contract and deposit by check or Zelle to vcello1@comcast.net.

Shared from our wedding planner colleague Gwen Wilson at  Nuptiae, The Wedding & Events Planners

The 10 Apps You Need to Download to Plan Your Wedding

www.weddingwire.com  - Amazing as it sounds, you can pretty much plan your entire wedding from your phone, which means you don’t have to be glued to your computer (and your desk) to be productive. With all of the amazing and useful apps out there, your phone can easily become mission control for all of your wedding needs.

A Wedding bloopers video compilation - Weddings are supposed to be a special day.  This is what you don't want to happen on your wedding day! 

Questions? Contact us: vcello1@comcast.net | Tel 217-384-0874 CST