If you are like most brides and grooms, the music that will be played during your wedding ceremony is very important to you -- but you may not have a clue how to go about selecting it!

We have several different renditions of many popular wedding processional an recessional marches that you may wish to use during your ceremony as well as a large selection of both classic and contemporary music appropriate for a wedding ceremony.

The wedding specialists at ClearSound Entertainment will be happy to work with you so that together, we can create a play list that will inspire lasting memories.


A few thoughts on ceremony music...
Here are some guidelines for a 'traditional' wedding... An important factor in choosing your music is the setting for your wedding ceremony. If your ceremony will not be conducted in a religious setting, you will be able to choose just about any kind of music you like -- although you will want to stay within the bounds of good taste! On the other hand, if your ceremony will be in a church or conducted by a clergy person at another location, you will probably need to stay within guidelines that will not conflict with the traditional values of your church or minister.

The Processional:
The processional marks the official start of the ceremony. Though ceremonies can include a single processional, it is common to have two, three, or even four. If yours is a large wedding party‚ such as two mothers, two grandmothers and grandfathers, ten bridesmaids and ushers, and three flower girls, it is often a good idea to have more than one processional. You may, for example, want one for all the parents and grandparents, another for the bridesmaids, ushers, flower girls and ring bearers, and yet another for the bride. Each processional is accompanied by a different musical selection: perhaps a very slow and lyrical piece for the parents, a sweet gentle faster pace for the bridesmaids, and a very royal and grand piece for the bride. You might prefer, however, a grand and royal piece for each processional or maybe lighter for all pieces, you are your own maestro. Whatever your needs, we will cater to your style and taste to create the image you choose for your wedding. For smaller wedding parties‚ one mother, two bridesmaids, one maid of honor‚ two processionals will suffice. A single processional works beautifully for the simplest scenario, a bride and her maid of honor.

The Ceremony:
During the ceremony we can provide a brief interlude of quiet, reflective music performed before, after or between several readings. In addition, music is well suited to the lighting of the unity candle, communion, presentation of gifts, and rose ceremonies. The officiator can help you decide appropriate places to include music, or may suggest a simple ceremony with no music at all.

The Recessional:
After you are married, you, your wedding party and your guests will be escorted out of the ceremony area to recessional music of your choice. Postlude selections will be played after the recessional if more music is desired.

Popular music
Most religious denominations consider a wedding ceremony to be a form of worship service. For this reason, churches generally do not prefer “secular” music (non-religious popular music) during a wedding. Some may allow secular music while the guests are being seated, but not during the ceremony itself. Check with the church where your wedding will be held for its specific guidelines. How religious do the lyrics of a song have to be for a church wedding? Songs that make respectful reference to God, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit are almost certain to be acceptable. Many churches will also allow a song that does not make specific reference to a deity, as long as it focuses on religious ideals and values relating to love and marriage, such as faithfulness and mutual support.

How many songs?
Most weddings include a vocal soloist singing anywhere from one to four selections during the wedding ceremony, depending on the length of the ceremony. The accompaniment is usually piano, acoustic guitar or harp. A duet sung by a male-female vocal duo is often used instead of a solo, and can be very effective! You will probably need to hire live vocalist(s); many churches do not allow recorded music in wedding ceremonies, except perhaps recorded accompaniment for a live vocalist. Appropriate places in the ceremony for vocal selections, depending on church guidelines, may include: (1) during the seating of the mothers or lighting of candles by the mothers; (2) immediately before the processional; (3) before the vows; (4) during the lighting of the Unity Candle; and (5) during the serving of communion to the congregation, if this is included in the ceremony.

Finding the right songs
Vocal music is probably the aspect of your wedding music selection where you will want to have the most personal involvement, since the songs include lyrics and you will want them to be especially meaningful for you. Where can you find songs with just the right lyrics that will be acceptable in a church setting? And preferably something you haven’t heard at a hundred other weddings? First, ask your vocalist or accompanist for suggestions. Have them show you their sheet music for the songs they suggest, and when you find one with lyrics you like, have them play or sing that song for you. Before deciding whether the songs suggested by your musicians are really what you want, you should go to a store that sells sheet music and songbooks and browse in the wedding section. (Look for printed music rather than recorded music, as your musicians will probably need printed music to work from.) Chances are, you may find something that more closely expresses what you want to say than the songs suggested by your DJ


             
During The Reception:
Musical selections for the Wedding Reception party are open to the atmosphere you aim to create. The cocktail hour, when the guests arrive, often has gentle background music.  Then the wedding party can be introduced (with a song if you prefer), and then a different song introduces the bride and groom. Each event during the reception – cake cutting, garter toss bouquet toss – can/should have a special song to be played..

Your music 'makes' your moments, and ClearSound Entertainment will work with you in order to create the effect – and the memories – you want to have.