There are several aspects to your wedding entertainment and in the next few posts we will discuss these elements and using our experience and those of the professionals, we will share our best suggestions on how to choose the perfect entertainment.
Today we will be focusing on the ceremony. Here your choice of music will firstly be determined by your venue - or you having a church ceremony or a civil service? Are you holding the ceremony inside or outside? Will you be hosting a traditional day or more casual?
If you have decided to have a traditional, religious church service the church may have their own rules on what type of music you can have. Some may be ok with some live music but may restrict the type, some will only allow a CD but may let you choose the music on it, some will have a strict selection you can choose from. This is something you need to discuss before you book anything.
If you are holding a civil ceremony you will have a lot more flexibility on what entertainment you can have. Again this is something that should be discussed with the venue but generally you get to decide. Do remember if you are having a civil service that as a rule you cannot have any religious music.
The next point to think about is how many different elements there are to the ceremony and how you can use your entertainment in each. There are four key aspects:
1. Before the bride arrives, whilst the guests are waiting.
2. The bride's entrance.
3. The signing of the registrar.
4. The end of the service, whilst everyone exits.
1. Before the bride arrives:
This is the first part of the day where your guests will be arriving, saying hello to people they may not have seen in a while and mingling. The groom will be stood at the altar, anxiously waiting the bride's arrival whilst his best man offers words of encouragement. It is a time for peaceful, calming background music. You will need around two or three songs for this section and most people will choose to use a CD of music.
2. The Bride's Entrance
Depending on your choice of ceremony will dictate the music you choose for this part. Many brides will perfer the traditional Bridal Chorus, especially those having a church ceremony. This can be played via a CD or maybe you want something more impressive - here a string quartet or a harpist may work.
3. The Signing of the Register
Again this will be a time for quieter background music. Whilst the brides, groom and the wedding party go to the front, or even to another room, the guests will be mingling, discussing the ceremony and generally chatting to one another. You may choose to have slightly more entertaining music than you had before the bride arrived, so as to keep your guests entertained, so here a live performer such as a harpist or strings may work. Perhaps you may want to use a pianist or solo vocalist who can then take you through to the evening.
Jennie Sawdon is one such pianist, who will be featuring at our showcase nights. Classically trained, Jennie was voted ‘Wedding Singer of the Year 2010’ The Bridal Magazine and most recently she was awarded the title of “Wedding Singer of the Year 2012” by County Brides Magazine. As she says "I take pride in creating a magical atmosphere whether it be for your wedding ceremony, wedding reception, wedding breakfast or evening celebration."
4. Exiting the ceremony.
Once more the music here will be dependant on whether you are having a traditional service or not. Traditional weddings may suit The Wedding March, which again could be played via CD or a live act. As an alterntive many couples choose music that is more personal the them. This music is generally uplifting, happy music to celebrate the vows that have been made.
Next week we will be talking about the drink reception and your entertainment. In the meantime head over to our website where tickets are now on sale for our showcase nights - watch your entertainment live before your book!
