As I communicate with more brides about coordinating the music for their ceremonies, I've decided to put together a list of common concerns and how to address them.
1. Placement of the Musicians
Make sure you know where you want your musicians to be seated. This area should be facing the entrance of the room (where you and your bridal party will be walking through). If at all possible, place the musicians where they will be able to see the entire processional, even if your guests are standing.
2. Cues
Decide who will give the musicians their cue to start the processional music. Will it be your wedding planner? Someone from your wedding party? Processional music should begin after musicians have been given the cue that you and your bridal party are ready.
3. Timing of Entrances
Tell your bridal party to begin walking AFTER they hear the appropriate processional music. This will avoid a lot of issues with timing of entrances.
4. Order of Processional
If you are having different musical selections for different members of your bridal party (for example, one selection for your parents, another for your bridesmaids) make sure you give a list of the order of the processional to your musicians ahead of time so they can anticipate how long each selection needs to be.
5. Contact Person
Choose a contact person (for example, your wedding planner) and give that person's name and cell phone number to your musicians in case they have any questions before the ceremony.
6. Music During the Ceremony
If you would like music during the ceremony (for example, during a prayer), make sure to let your musicians know what your officiant will say right before the music should start.
7. Recessional
Tell your musicians the last words your officiant will say during the ceremony, such as "I now pronounce you husband and wife." This will be the musicians' cue to play the recessional music.
As a bride, you will have a million things on your mind leading up to your special day. Keeping these seven tips in mind will help minimize anxiety and stress, ensuring that your ceremony will go as smoothly as possible!
1. Placement of the Musicians
Make sure you know where you want your musicians to be seated. This area should be facing the entrance of the room (where you and your bridal party will be walking through). If at all possible, place the musicians where they will be able to see the entire processional, even if your guests are standing.
2. Cues
Decide who will give the musicians their cue to start the processional music. Will it be your wedding planner? Someone from your wedding party? Processional music should begin after musicians have been given the cue that you and your bridal party are ready.
3. Timing of Entrances
Tell your bridal party to begin walking AFTER they hear the appropriate processional music. This will avoid a lot of issues with timing of entrances.
4. Order of Processional
If you are having different musical selections for different members of your bridal party (for example, one selection for your parents, another for your bridesmaids) make sure you give a list of the order of the processional to your musicians ahead of time so they can anticipate how long each selection needs to be.
5. Contact Person
Choose a contact person (for example, your wedding planner) and give that person's name and cell phone number to your musicians in case they have any questions before the ceremony.
6. Music During the Ceremony
If you would like music during the ceremony (for example, during a prayer), make sure to let your musicians know what your officiant will say right before the music should start.
7. Recessional
Tell your musicians the last words your officiant will say during the ceremony, such as "I now pronounce you husband and wife." This will be the musicians' cue to play the recessional music.
As a bride, you will have a million things on your mind leading up to your special day. Keeping these seven tips in mind will help minimize anxiety and stress, ensuring that your ceremony will go as smoothly as possible!