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Ceremony Music

Marcia and Michael

Music helps to organize a wedding ceremony. For exampe, in the Catholic service, the Avé Maria is sung at the begining of the wedding mass, and other music follows. The guests all rise during that piece and stay standing until they are signalled to take their seats.

In the same way, the music that will accompany your ceremony will usually follow a standardized schedule, if you are choosing a traditional ceremony.

In the Protestant ceremony, the wedding normally begins with the Prelude, during which the guests and Bride’s Mother are seated. Next is the Processional, for the entry of the wedding party and groom. At the end of this section, following a pause, the Bride enters with her escort, accompanied by a special piece that can be standard or a personal selection.

The wedding progresses: Ceremony music chosen by the Bride and Groom can be one piece or many, in any style the couple feels will express their feeling about this event.

After the couple is introduced, they leave the altar to applause and the Recessional piece, which is usually a triumphant and joyful instrumental. As guests are ushered out, the Postlude is played until the sanctuary is empty.

Colleen Rosenthal Photography

And what about the selections for these musical pieces? Selection is entirely up to the two of you. You might want to check with the officiant if you’re marrying in a church or synagogue, because customs and tastes can vary widely. If you're outdoors, though, at a park, beach or one of our beautiful Victorian venues, it is entirely your call.

Carefully chosen music will tell your guests how you feel about your joyful day … quietly reverent to joyfully capricious, classical to modern …