5 Essential Things To Consider When Choosing Your Wedding Music

    Finding it difficult in choosing the music for your wedding? The right music can create the ideal atmosphere and act as the perfect beginning to any wedding ceremony. Here are some useful tips in picking the right music for your wedding day.

    1) Pick a suitable piece of music for the bridal entrance which is the right length.

    If you pick a 3 minute song for the wedding entrance you may only hear the first minute or so. Therefore, if you do have a piece of music which takes a while to get going or you would really like to hear in its entirety, then it is better to use it for the signing of the register.

    2) Choose music which has a special meaning for both of you

    In terms of the various styles of music to choose from, there really are many options. You could pick something that is special to you, whether it is a piece of classical music like Pachelbel’s Canon, or a pop song that could signify the first time you and your partner met. However, you could simply pick some music that you feel is suitable for the occasion. If in doubt ask friends or family members for their advice, or even the musicians you are using on the day.

    3) Think about what instrument(s) you would like to hear your music performed on.

    This is a very important point to consider. Your favourite jazz standard might sound a bit odd on a string quartet, or a heavy rock classic might struggle to work on the piano. This happens more often than you may think and although most people may not notice the unusual choice of instrumentation for a certain song, you should seek the advice of the musician(s) you decide to employ for the ceremony, to make sure everything is as perfect as it should be.

    4) Are there any videos of the musician(s) performing on their website?

    You should definitely check this before booking the musicians for the event. You cannot totally rely on testimonials and with simple computer software, you can easily edit recordings nowadays. However, if they have a video it provides a great indicator of how they will look and sound at your wedding.

    5) Can the musician(s) play during the reception as well as the ceremony?

    String quartets are probably one of the more popular choices for wedding entrance music, often playing classical repertoire mixed in with the odd pop song. However, a more flexible option could be to hire a pianist for your wedding music.

    A pianist will usually have a wider repertoire than a string quartet and you will find most styles of music can easily work on the piano. Another advantage of a pianist is that they can be used for the reception as well as the ceremony and depending upon their ability, they can play many different styles of music to cater for all tastes. If you have the option of booking one act for different parts of the wedding, it can make the logistics of the day run more smoothly and be less stressful in terms of organisation.

    Author

    Martyn Croston is a pianist available to perform quality music at any wedding or party in London and the home counties. =>> Click HERE to visit his site for further information


     

    Creative Ideas for Your Ring Bearer

    Creative ring bearer idea - your pet as ring bearerThe traditional wedding party includes a ring bearer, typically a young boy between four and eight years old, who carries the wedding rings down the aisle tied to a pillow, explains Everything About Weddings. Usually the couple selects a ring bearer who is a family member, such as a nephew, cousin, their own son or the child of a family friend. However, many couples choose not to have a traditional ring bearer, either because there are no young boys in the family, or because they elect to have an adults-only wedding. Luckily if a couple does not have a traditional ring bearer there are a number of ways to ensure that the rings are presented during the ceremony in a way that suits their personality.

    Your Ring Bearer Doesn’t Have to Be a Boy

    First, if the couple wishes to include children in the wedding party, but the children are all girls, they can consider allowing their flower girl or junior bridesmaid to share the duty of carrying the rings. A flower girl carrying a basket of flower petals can carry the rings by placing a small ring pillow into her flower basket, or knot them onto a ribbon that adorns the basket. A junior bridesmaid could tie the rings onto the ribbon fastening her bouquet. If the couple has young men in the family that are older than traditional ring bearers, they may allow them to serve as junior groomsmen. If the couple wishes to include a baby in the wedding, the infant could ride in a wagon with the ring pillow pulled by another member of the wedding party.

    Your “Other” Child, Your Pet, As Ring Bearer

    Secondly, Celebrity Wedding Buzz reports a trend among brides like Carrie Underwood is to have their adored pet present the rings. Couples should inquire whether pets are allowed at the wedding site, if they have a service animal it should be permitted. The pet can be outfitted with a dressy or floral collar, and the rings tucked into an attached pouch. Couples should consider whether their pet is accustomed to lots of people, if not, it may need some practice. Include the pet at the wedding rehearsal, so that the pet can practice walking the aisle independently or with an escort. The couple should also identify someone who can walk the animal immediately before the ceremony, to avoid unpleasant accidents!

    Do Something Totally Wacky and Fun

    Thirdly, fun-loving couples hosting informal wedding ceremonies may choose playful ways of presenting the rings. For instance, race fans may have remote-controlled cars drive the rings down the aisle. If the bride or groom are pilots, remote-controlled helicopters may fly the rings in for a landing. Couples relying on vehicles should make sure that the operators have opportunities to practice, that the vehicles are within range for the distance they must travel, and that the vehicles are well-charged and have plenty of spare batteries on hand.

    Present Your Rings With Pomp and Circumstance

    Finally, couples who are performers may choose to have dancers or singers present the rings. A memorable way to incorporate music or dance is to stage a pre-ceremony flash mob where one of the participants presents the rings to the best man at the conclusion of the performance. Couples hosting a magically themed wedding may choose to have a magician or illusionist present the rings.

    Whoever the couple selects to present the rings has an important role in the ceremony. The more elaborate a ring presentation that a couple chooses, the more important it is to provide practice opportunities will help to ensure that all participants know their roles on the big day. Ultimately, choosing an alternative to the traditional ring bearer is an excellent opportunity for the couple to bring their own style to the ceremony.

    Brittany Lyons is a writer for PhDs.org and aspires to be a psychology professor, but decided to take some time off from grad school to help people learn to navigate the academic lifestyle. She currently lives in Spokane, Washington, where she spends her time reading science fiction and walking her dog.

    Photo credit: Reggieana


     

    What is the Perfect Ceremony Length?

    According to the people at Real Simple Weddings, it’s critical to map out the length of time for your wedding ceremony when you first meet with your officiant. Too short and you might just forget that it happened, too long and your guests (and you) will just be thinking about the food and drink that’s waiting.

    “When you meet with your officiant to map out your wedding ceremony, try to shoot for a 25-30 minute-long ceremony, which is long enough to complete your vows, readings, and a short sermon, if desired.”

    I’ve been to one of those very, very long ceremonies, so I can tell you what it’s like for a guest. Boring! There comes a point when sweet, charming, and teary becomes “when is this thing going to be over?”. The one I was at was made even worse by the fact that it was outdoors in the fall, it was getting dark, and it was windy and freezing cold. Not a recipe for getting your guests to celebrate with you.

    Think about what will make the ceremony truly meaningful for you and then estimate the timing, making sure you know how long the officiant’s part will take. If you have several people that you want involved, get creative. Not everyone has to read a poem. Give them something else to do at the reception instead, when everyone has had a few drinks and something to eat.

    And finally, don’t have an outdoor wedding ceremony when it is 30 degrees (F), windy, getting dark and cloudy, and your guests are all in evening gowns. Your friends and family will love you all the more when they are comfy and cozy as you exchange vows.

    P.S. According to a poll at WeddingSolutions.com, about 70% of engaged couples planned a 30 minute ceremony. Sounds like a good length to me!


     

    Alternative Wedding Ceremony: Up in the Sky

    No planes, no parachutes, no hangliders, not even skydiving for this couple. They literally ‘took the plunge’ after saying their wedding vows by bungee jumping off a suspended platform. The bride and groom had their first wedding kiss with the blood rushing to their heads. Where was the bride’s dress? Was it hanging around her ears, pretty lace wedding panties shown off to all? No, she wore tight, windproof white satin pants. What about the fancy wedding hairdo? That’s where the extra industrial strength hairspray comes in.

    Why are the guests’ arms in the air? Is this like a roller coaster ride where everyone shows they’re not scared by letting go of the hand rail? Maybe they’re just yelling “Do it already. We need to go to the bathroom!”

    Which would you be more nervous about? The fact that you’re getting married or the potential that one of those black straps could snap?

    Where’s the bouquet? On the ground? Airborne? On someone’s rooftop 3 miles away? Very sweet wedding kiss photo. I guess the veil didn’t make it through the jump though.

    Images from Events in the Sky

    The biggest question for all us women though is “where are the bathrooms?”. Seriously, this is not a minor issue. Do you get airlifted off when you get desperate enough? Apparently, the company that organizes these events, Events in the Sky, will also bring up food so you can have your dinner up in the sky as well. Again I ask, “what about bathrooms?”