Everyone you know -- including your best friend, her sister, and their second cousin twice removed -- will have music during their wedding ceremony processional, bridal entrance, and recessional. They'll probably also have musicians playing prelude selections before the wedding formally begins. While music at these times is essential, how can you make your own wedding unique? How can you use music to enhance your ceremony and set yourself apart from everyone else?
6 Unique Ways Music Can Enhance Your Wedding Ceremony
1. Moment of Prayer
If you are religious (or wish to incorporate an element of faith into your wedding), having a moment of prayer and quiet reflection will make your ceremony more meaningful. During this time (perhaps 2-3 minutes), ask your musicians to play something reverent, such as "Arioso" by Johann Sebastian Bach or "Traumeri" by Robert Schumann.
2. Symbolic Joining Together of Husband and Wife
Before you are pronounced "Husband and Wife," think about incorporating a ritual that symbolizes your union. For example, both you and your fiancé could light a candle together. To give extra meaning to this special moment, ask the musicians to play something that is personal and relevant for you as a couple.
3. Remembering Loved Ones
Last year, I played at a wedding ceremony during which the bride and groom released doves into the air to remember their loved ones who were deceased and could not join them on their special day. As the doves soared above, we played "Time to Say Goodbye." There are many ways you may choose to remember your loved ones at your wedding. If you are having an indoor wedding, make a video slideshow of favorite pictures with your loved ones and share this during your ceremony. (This can also be done during the reception.) Ask the musicians to play "Think of Me" or "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from Phantom of the Opera, "Memory" from Cats, or any song that was special to you and your loved ones.
4. Remembering Your Courtship
Take your wedding guests on a special journey through your relationship. Make a video slideshow of birthdays, trips you took together, and your engagement. This is the perfect time for the musicians to play a song that best captures your love.
5. Friends from Afar
I personally have several good friends who live 12 time zones away and wouldn't possibly be able to fly in for my wedding. If you also have friends that live around the globe, suggest that they be there in spirit by dedicating a special song to you at your wedding.
6. Cultural Traditions
I am Chinese-American and my best friend is Sri Lankan. Both our cultural backgrounds are very different from that of most Americans. Many of my friends who were raised bi-culturally often have two wedding ceremonies - one Western, and one of their cultural background. However, you can incorporate your own cultural background into your Western wedding ceremony through a special song.
Do you have suggestions for other ways that music can enhance your wedding ceremony? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
6 Unique Ways Music Can Enhance Your Wedding Ceremony
1. Moment of Prayer
If you are religious (or wish to incorporate an element of faith into your wedding), having a moment of prayer and quiet reflection will make your ceremony more meaningful. During this time (perhaps 2-3 minutes), ask your musicians to play something reverent, such as "Arioso" by Johann Sebastian Bach or "Traumeri" by Robert Schumann.
2. Symbolic Joining Together of Husband and Wife
Before you are pronounced "Husband and Wife," think about incorporating a ritual that symbolizes your union. For example, both you and your fiancé could light a candle together. To give extra meaning to this special moment, ask the musicians to play something that is personal and relevant for you as a couple.
3. Remembering Loved Ones
Last year, I played at a wedding ceremony during which the bride and groom released doves into the air to remember their loved ones who were deceased and could not join them on their special day. As the doves soared above, we played "Time to Say Goodbye." There are many ways you may choose to remember your loved ones at your wedding. If you are having an indoor wedding, make a video slideshow of favorite pictures with your loved ones and share this during your ceremony. (This can also be done during the reception.) Ask the musicians to play "Think of Me" or "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from Phantom of the Opera, "Memory" from Cats, or any song that was special to you and your loved ones.
4. Remembering Your Courtship
Take your wedding guests on a special journey through your relationship. Make a video slideshow of birthdays, trips you took together, and your engagement. This is the perfect time for the musicians to play a song that best captures your love.
5. Friends from Afar
I personally have several good friends who live 12 time zones away and wouldn't possibly be able to fly in for my wedding. If you also have friends that live around the globe, suggest that they be there in spirit by dedicating a special song to you at your wedding.
6. Cultural Traditions
I am Chinese-American and my best friend is Sri Lankan. Both our cultural backgrounds are very different from that of most Americans. Many of my friends who were raised bi-culturally often have two wedding ceremonies - one Western, and one of their cultural background. However, you can incorporate your own cultural background into your Western wedding ceremony through a special song.
Do you have suggestions for other ways that music can enhance your wedding ceremony? I'd love to hear your thoughts!