Your Step-by-Step Guide to Ceremony Music

Ceremony music sets the mood for your big day, and we think it's a very important decision!  This guide walks you through each decision, step by step.....

1. DO I WANT LIVE MUSIC?
    Some couples prefer to use their DJ for the ceremony and reception.  This  
   decision is less expensive, but there are a few things to think about....

    - A DJ starts your favorite songs from the very beginning.  This means that if 
      you or your mothers or bridesmaids walk quickly, your guests will probably 
      only hear the intro before the song is faded out and that next one has started.

   - We customize your song list so that we play the recognizable section, so all 
      your guests hear the part of the song that you love!

2. WHAT INSTRUMENT(S) DO I WANT FOR MY CEREMONY?
    There are all kinds of instruments that sound great for a ceremony!  We have 
    played ceremonies with organ, piano, violin, viola, cello, harp, trumpet, string
    duo, string trio, string quartet, bagpipes, steel drum, guitar, vocalist.... the list 
    goes on!  

    Watch videos and listen to recordings!  This is a great way to discover what 
    sound you like.

    If you choose strings, read on to #3!

3. DO I NEED A SOLO, DUO, TRIO, OR QUARTET?
    Less instruments = less sound.  
    More instruments = more sound.

    Violin solo is an intimate and pure sound.  As you add instruments, the sound 
    gets more complex and louder.  

   This decision comes down to what you like!  I have played solos for weddings of 
   300+ guests, and we have played quartets for small quiet weddings.  It's your 
   choice!

4. DO I WANT CLASSICAL OR POP MUSIC?
    More and more couples are combining both styles.  The answer is always... 
     whatever you want to do!  We take our cues from your style and your vision.  No      two weddings we play are ever alike.

     Most weddings have 20-30 minutes of background music (prelude) while                guests are arriving.  Sometimes brides will have classical music for this and    
     then switch to pop for the processionals.  Other brides will reverse it and have  
     pop music first, then classical.  And others will only have a pop song for the 
     recessional.  


5. WHO WALKS DOWN THE AISLE?  TO WHAT SONG?

    This is our typical program order.  Again, you can change ANYTHING you want!

     Prelude: 8-10 songs  (You may choose these yourself, or we can use our 
     judgment to choose songs that will match the mood of your wedding.)

     Seating of grandmothers: Some brides combine this with the seating of 
     mothers if the aisle is not very long.  Some couples choose a grandparent's   
     favorite song.        
          Most popular selections here are: 
          Somewhere My Love
          Amazing Grace
          Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
          Come Thou Found
          Can't Help Falling in Love 
          Edelweiss

     Seating of mothers: This can be a mother's favorite song or just something 
     beautiful that you think your guests will enjoy.
          Most popular selections here are:
          Canon in D
          Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
          What a Wonderful World
          Annie's Song
          
     Bridal party processional: This can include any combination of the following 
     (and they usually enter in this order):
          Officiant
          Groom
          Best Man
          Groomsmen
          (Sometimes some or all of the men walk in from the side instead of down 
           the aisle.  Again, it depends on your preference.)
          Bridesmaids
          Maid/Matron of Honor
          Ring Bearer
          Flower Girl

          Most popular selections here are:
          Canon in D
          Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
          A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)
          At Last (Etta James)

     Bridal processional: Bride sometimes walks in by herself, with dad, with both 
     parents, or with someone else of her choosing.
           Most popular selections here are:
           Trumpet Voluntary
           King's March
           Canon in D
           A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)

     Music during the ceremony: most brides opt out of this, but we are always glad
     to play during communion, lighting of a unity candle, etc.

     Recessional: Bride & groom exit first, followed by the wedding party, 
     followed by family.  Guests can be dismissed by row or as a group.
           Most popular selections here are:
           Trumpet Voluntary
           La Rejouissance
           Trumpet Tune
           The Wedding March
           This Will Be An Everlasting Love
           Don't Stop Believing 

............So there you have it!  All you need to know about ceremony music!  Actually, I suspect you may have lots more questions, but that's why we are here!  Please contact us with any questions you have.  We love to help!  


Contact us at:
DeansDuets@yahoo.com  OR  828-308-1477

Happy planning!


~April




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