Get the music right…

Stuck for ideas about your wedding music? Here are a few ways to get some inspiration…

Tips and ideas for perfectly pitched wedding music choices

Stuck for ideas about your wedding music? Here are a few ways to get some inspiration:

• Listen to some tapes and CDs of wedding music. Confetti’s great wedding CDs should give you a few ideas.
• Listen to your favourite CDs and artists.
• Check out lists of classic hits from the last few decades.
• Think about whether you have a friend or relative who could sing or play a piece.
• If you’re having a themed wedding, think about having music to fit the theme.

Practical music checklist

• Whatever music you choose, bear in mind the size and style of your venue and the facilities available, then think about the following:
• Are the church organist and/or choir available for hire on the date you need them? Are they competent and familiar with the pieces you have chosen? Do they (and you) need a rehearsal?
• If you’re hoping for some hearty singing at your ceremony, take into account how many guests are coming and how familiar they will be with what you’ve chosen.
• Choose good rousing pieces that will carry if your ceremony is taking place outdoors.
• Check the fees. Ideally, it’s best to pay at the wedding rehearsal, although the best man may pay the musicians on the day.
• Check either with the minister or registrar that your music is acceptable. If you want to, you could ask him/her to introduce your music on the day.
• Make sure that there’s a decent sound system if you want to play CDs. Otherwise, hire a good system yourself ‐‐ and don’t forget to test it before the big day! If you have musicians playing for some parts of the ceremony, make sure that they have enough space and somewhere to plug in their instruments and microphones if they need to.
• Think about the time needed for each piece of music. You don’t want to run out of processional music, but then again you may not want to sing all seven verses of a song or hymn, or stand around after signing the register waiting for the aria to finish! Musical items can add a lot of time, so make sure that the ceremony is balanced and that you don’t overrun.
• Above all, don’t forget to enjoy the music on your big day. It’s likely to be one of the things that you remember most!