Wedding Ceremony
Music - Checklist
_____Please designate someone, who is not part of the wedding party, to act as a coordinator between the musicians and those who are processing. This person will have attended the bridal rehearsal. They will be at the wedding at least 45 minutes in advance. They will introduce themselves to the musicians and will be able to answer any last minute questions, or relay those questions to the bride or appropriate party. This person acts as a traffic director and is helpful in telling the musicians (by a nod of the head, or other prearranged signal) that the processionals can begin: i.e., Parents, Maids, Bride. (Sometimes the musicians can't see what is happening, or don't know exactly when to begin, or to exit the music.) This person can be quite helpful, and acts as the "eyes" for the musicians.
_____Generally, the prelude portion of the wedding is chosen by the musicians with some "general direction" by the bride, i.e. "we want classical, we want classical with some nice romantic pop mixed in..." The program reflects this as "Prelude Music".
_____ Please indicate specific music, beginning with the "processionals". Usually the first processional is the seating of the parents or sometimes the grandparents. Some people want something like, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring ../ or O Mio Babbino Caro, or Sunrise Sunset. The Maid's and Bridal processionals can be chosen off the CD that we provide. Usually for the Maids something like Pachelbel Canon, or Maid's March, (written by me specifically as the Maid's procession) is used. There are two popular bridal processionals on my CD. The Trumpet Voluntary, and Trumpet Tune in D. Sometimes brides like the Pachelbel Canon. There is also other music than that on the demo.
_____Indicate any music that is to occur during the ceremony, i.e. candle lighting, prayers with music in the background... In weddings which celebrate mass: sign of peace, cantoring which includes musicians etc.
_____Indicate recessional selection. Also, make sure to tell musicians (this can be done by the designated coordinator) what the last words will be before they launch into the recessional. Sometimes the celebrant will pronounce the couple man and wife and then have a final prayer. You don't want to hear recessional music before it's time !
_____Finally, after you have your program we like to have you "highlight" all the places which have music and send us one. That is helpful as a final comparison to our notes, and is helpful at the wedding for following along with the service.
