5. Wedding Songs For Your Ceremony

We've covered getting you and all of your wedding party up to the altar. Later, we will look at wedding songs to get you AWAY from the altar (the Recessional). But, for now we're going to look at what the actual ceremony is and how wedding songs and music can be a part of it. the ceremony is where the Pastor, Minister, Priest, Rabbi, Officiant, Elder (does this list ever end?!?) performs all of the ceremonial avocations which includes various uses of verbiage and symbolism. At the end of this article, I will list a standard ceremony outline. And if you got a copy of my Wedding Music Timeline Planner audiobook, you'll get samples of verbiage for each ceremony event.

Fitting music in during the ceremony (besides the upcoming Unity Candle/Event and the Live Music Performances) isn't necessary or terribly important. Usually, the Minister will be speaking the entire time and there is no need to "fill" empty space with song. But, if you simply LOVE music and want to squeeze in as much as you can, there are ways to add wedding songs during your ceremony.

One way to add music is to play a prerecorded song that is special to you, the soon-to-be-married couple! It may be the first song you ever listened to together or one that has lyrics that uncanningly speaks of your relationship. Another way is to have light (very light) background instrumental music played while the Minister is performing the ceremony. I would suggest not playing music the entire length of the ceremony, as this could become overbearing to the point of irritation for you and your wedding guests. You can bring up some beautiful music as you repeat your vows to each other or as you exchange roses or as you give a rose to each of the mothers and/or grandmothers. Just be sure to inform your Minister that this will be happening so he isn't surprised. It will show!

My suggestion here is to let the ceremony speak for itself, only highlighting special sections with light background instrumental music. The best ways to add wedding songs to the ceremony section, would be through the Unity Candle/Event and the Live Song Performance, which we'll review in our next post. Here's a standard ceremony outline:

1. Opening Remarks - "The Call to Worship"

2. The Opening Prayer

3. Congregation is Seated

4. Giving Away of the Bride

5. Worship Song, Hymn or Solo

6. The Charge to Brd and Grm

7. The Pledge

8. Wedding Vows

9. Exchanging of the Rings

10. Lighting of the Unity Candle/Unity Ceremony

11. The Pronouncement

12. Communion

13. The Closing Prayer

14. The Kiss

15. Presentation of the Couple

Thanks again for reading and learning here at Wedding Songs and Music Ideas!