George Boyle
Music is an important part of a wedding ceremony as it sets the tone, stirs up emotions, and shares a message with your guests. It is recommended to have background music playing 20 to 30 minutes before the ceremony starts to set a nice ambiance for guests as they enter and take their seats. This is known as prelude music. The processional is another important part of the ceremony where music is needed, as it accompanies the entry of the extended wedding party, including family, attendants, and the bride. The same song can be used for each group, or you can change the song when the bride enters to add drama and highlight her big entrance. The number of processional songs you'll need depends on the number of people walking down the aisle and the length of the aisle. Live musicians are often preferred for the processional as they can ensure everything is timed perfectly and create a seamless experience. After the ceremony, music can be played during the cocktail hour, grand entrance, and formal dances, including the newlyweds' first dance, the mother and son dance, and the father and daughter dance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Music during the ceremony | Yes, it is recommended to have music playing during the ceremony, except during important moments like speeches and announcements. Music helps to set the tone and create a romantic atmosphere. |
| Music before the ceremony | Yes, it is recommended to have background music playing before the ceremony as guests arrive and take their seats. This is known as the prelude and can start up to 45 minutes before the ceremony begins. |
| Music after the ceremony | Yes, light music similar to the prelude can be played as guests are leaving the ceremony area and transitioning to the cocktail hour. |
| Music during key moments | Music is typically played during key moments such as the walk down the aisle, the first kiss, the cake-cutting ceremony, the bouquet and garter toss, and the formal dances (first dance, mother and son dance, father and daughter dance). |
| Type of music | The type of music can vary depending on the couple's preferences and the theme of the wedding. It can include instrumental music, recorded music, or live music performed by musicians or a DJ. |
| Number of songs | The number of songs depends on the length of the ceremony and the duration of each song. For the prelude, 5-10 songs are recommended. For the processional, 1-2 songs are typically chosen. For the recessional, 1 song is selected, followed by 2-3 additional songs as guests are filing out. |
| Cost | The cost of wedding musicians can vary. On average, couples spend $800 on wedding musicians, but costs can be reduced by using recorded music or hiring local musicians. |
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What You'll Learn
Prelude music: light, ambient music as guests arrive and are seated
Prelude music is light and ambient, setting the mood as guests arrive and are seated, and waiting for the ceremony to begin. It usually starts when the doors open, or as early as 45 minutes prior to, but no later than 20 minutes before, the start of the ceremony. You'll need between five and ten songs for this period, depending on how long your prelude will be.
Prelude music can be played by musicians or from a playlist. You can hire a ceremony musician or a wedding DJ, or play music from a speaker. You could also use any musical instruments already available in your space, such as a grand piano. If you're on a budget, you could simply get a small Bluetooth speaker and play music from your phone.
Prelude music can be instrumental or include lyrics. It's a good idea to choose songs with a mellow presence that won't bring too much energy to the environment. For a rustic wedding in nature, contemporary acoustic songs work well, and for a traditional ceremony, classical music is a good choice. Christian couples may want to incorporate Christian wedding songs, whether they're getting married in a church or elsewhere.
- "God Only Knows" by John Legend and Cynthia Erivo
- "Everything" by Michael Bublé
- "Yellow" by Coldplay
- "Water Music Suite No.3, HWV 350" by George Frideric Handel
- "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven
- "Sheep May Safely Graze" by Bach
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Processional: music for the wedding party's entrance
Music is an important part of a wedding ceremony as it sets the tone, stirs up emotions, and shares a message with your guests. Prelude music is light and ambient, setting the mood while guests are being seated and waiting for the ceremony to begin. This usually starts when the doors open, or as early as 45 minutes prior to the ceremony, and you'll need between five and 10 songs for this period.
The processional is the music that accompanies the wedding party's entrance. This includes family, attendants, and the bride. Usually, couples will choose two processional songs—one for the family and wedding party, and then a more dramatic and emotional song for the bridal processional. The number of processional songs you'll need depends on the number of people walking down the aisle and the length of the aisle. If you have a large wedding party, you'll need a longer song, or perhaps multiple songs.
You can choose to be creative with your processional music, and you don't need to have a live musician. You could use recorded music, or a small Bluetooth speaker with music from your phone. Live musicians can, however, ensure that the music is timed perfectly for arrivals and entrances, and can create a seamless, dramatic experience.
The type and number of musicians you'll want will depend on your venue. Outdoor weddings tend to do well with larger ensembles like string quartets, while indoor venues can opt for smaller groups or solo instruments.
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Recessional: celebratory music after the first kiss
Music is an important part of a wedding ceremony, helping to set the tone and create a romantic atmosphere. The recessional is the celebratory music that fills the space after the first kiss, and there are several things to consider when choosing the right music for this special moment.
Firstly, the recessional music should match the mood and theme of the wedding. It should also be a song that holds a special meaning for the couple. It could be a song that brings back happy memories, or one that you both love to sing along to. It is important to read the lyrics and ensure they are appropriate for a wedding ceremony. For example, "Every Breath You Take" by The Police is often chosen, but the song's writer, Sting, has said it is about jealousy and obsession, which may not be the right message for the occasion.
Secondly, the length of the song is important. The recessional marks the exit of the newlyweds and the wedding party, so the song should be long enough to accompany their exit and create a memorable moment. It is also a good idea to have two to three additional songs queued up to be played as guests are filing out.
Thirdly, the couple should consider whether to hire live musicians or play recorded music. Live musicians can ensure the music is timed perfectly to the couple's exit, and can create a seamless, dramatic moment. Live music also adds an intimate touch to the ceremony. However, recorded music can be a more affordable option, and couples can get creative with the type of music they choose, using their own devices and speakers to play their chosen songs.
Finally, the couple should consider the size and location of their wedding. Outdoor weddings often do well with larger ensembles, such as string quartets, to create a full-bodied sound without needing amplification. Indoor venues may be better suited to smaller ensembles or solo instruments, depending on the number of guests.
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$89.99
Live vs recorded music: live musicians can be expensive
Live music at weddings can be expensive. According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, the average couple spends $800 on wedding musicians. However, there are ways to cut costs. For example, you can use any instruments that are already available at your venue, such as a grand piano. You can also save on transport costs by hiring local musicians. Another option is to ask talented friends or family members to perform, which can make your wedding even more special and memorable.
If you're looking to save money, recorded music is a good alternative to live musicians. You can use a CD, iPod, or phone connected to a Bluetooth speaker, which will only cost you $30-$40. This option also guarantees that you'll get the exact sound you want, and you can choose more contemporary music that may not suit certain instruments.
However, many people believe that live music is worth the extra cost. Live music can create a beautiful and emotive atmosphere, and it can be nice to watch musicians performing their craft. It can also add to the romance of your wedding, especially if you choose classic instruments like a string quartet or solo violinist.
Ultimately, the decision between live and recorded music depends on your budget and personal preference. If you have the means, live music can be a wonderful addition to your wedding. But if you're looking to save money, recorded music is a perfectly acceptable alternative, especially for shorter ceremonies.
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Venue and size: indoor venues suit smaller ensembles
Music is an important part of a wedding ceremony, setting the tone and creating a romantic atmosphere. When it comes to the venue and size of the wedding, the type and number of musicians required will vary. For indoor venues, smaller ensembles are often better suited due to space constraints and the ability to amplify the sound.
Indoor wedding ceremonies can be enhanced by duos or trios of musicians, creating a more intimate atmosphere. Instruments such as the harp, flute, cello, violin, and guitar are well-suited for these settings, as they can be amplified through outlets provided by the venue. The number of musicians can be determined by the size of the guest list. For a small, intimate indoor wedding with 50 guests or fewer, a solo instrument like a violin, cello, or harp can provide a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony.
For larger indoor weddings, a string duo or trio can be more appropriate. A duo works well for ceremonies with up to 100 guests, while a trio is recommended for up to 150 guests. If the guest list exceeds 150 people, a quartet or a larger ensemble may be considered to ensure the music is heard by all.
When planning the musical accompaniment for an indoor wedding, it is essential to consider the space available and the ability to amplify the sound. By choosing the right combination of instruments and musicians, the ceremony can be enhanced, creating a memorable and intimate atmosphere for the couple and their guests.
Additionally, couples can save costs by utilising instruments already available at the venue, such as a grand piano in a hotel ballroom. This eliminates the need for transportation costs, which can be an additional expense when hiring musicians with larger instruments.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not necessary, but it is recommended. Music helps to set the tone and create a romantic atmosphere. It can also help to fill any silence or background noise, such as coughing or moving around, and make the event more enjoyable for your guests.
Music is typically played during the prelude, as guests are being seated and waiting for the ceremony to begin. It is also played during the processional, accompanying the entry of the wedding party, and during the recessional, as the couple exits the ceremony.
The music should reflect the theme and vision of your wedding. It is important to choose songs that are meaningful to you and your partner and that fit the vibe and length of your ceremony.
Live musicians can be expensive, but they add a special touch to your ceremony and can ensure that the music is timed perfectly with the arrivals of the wedding party. If you are on a budget, you can use recorded music or hire a single musician or a small ensemble.
The number of songs will depend on the length of your ceremony and the length of your aisle. Typically, you will need a few songs for the prelude and processional, and then a few more for the recessional and postlude. If you have a large wedding party, you may need longer songs or multiple songs to accommodate everyone's entrance.
