The first question to ask one another is what styles of music do you want to hear for your wedding ceremony?
One of my favorite musical shows of all times One of my favorite musical shows of all times is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound Of Music. We can all sing along to the famous lyrics from the song Do Re Mi: “Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. When you read you begin with A-B-C. When you sing you begin with do-re-mi. Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti.” And as Maria so kindly tells the VonTrapp Family children, “Oh let’s see if I can make it easier.” I am here to do the same for you as you consider your choices for Live Music for your Wedding Ceremony!
The first question to ask one another is what styles of music do you want to hear for your wedding ceremony? As a couple you have shared your enjoyment of music with each other and you have broadened your musical tastes as you have gotten closer by going to live music concerts together, sharing your iPod downloads, and watching YouTube videos.
Live music for a wedding ceremony can be selected from any music genre or style (Pop, Rock, Jazz, Classical), and any song can be arranged by your live music professional for any combination of musical instruments. A ceremony music program can stay within one particular style or be a combination of many. For example, for a recent music program the following songs were chosen: The Air That I Breathe (a Pop song and big hit in the seventies by The Hollies for the bridal party), Mendelssohn’s Wedding March (a traditional Classical choice for the bride’s processional), Watermark (a New Age song by Enya for the Rose Ceremony), and Faithfully (a rock song by Journey for the bride and groom’s recessional).
So now you know what styles of music you want for your ceremony, next on the list is to choose your live music professionals. And here, I emphasize the word Professionals. Do yourselves a favor and contract with only those musicians (instrumentalists as well as vocalists) that not only sound great, but also are truly experienced (both as performers and in the business of weddings), and have been referred to you by your wedding planner, caterer, event site, or other vendors and friends (like the Wedding Chronicle!) that you know and trust. Referrals from trusted sources guarantee a successful event!
The truth is that even though you may know a family member or friend that sings well or plays a “little guitar,” they may not have the experience necessary to do this job. In addition to the nervousness that an amateur will definitely have when they are faced with the audience staring at them when your ceremony begins, they will also be very unfamiliar with all of the other components of performing live music – sound levels, timing (the flow of your event), song arrangements and most importantly, coordinating with all of the other event professionals hired by you to make this day an exceptional one!
Julie Andrews sings in The Sound Of Music, “My heart wants to sing every song it hears.” So, use your ears, as well as your mind and your heart to choose what is best for you. The beautiful sounds of live music will create an extraordinary atmosphere and wonderful memories of your special day!
Lisa Presman B&W by Eys
Lisa Pressman is a pianist/vocalist
who performs as a soloist or with
the Lisa Pressman Ensemble. Lisa was
voted “Best Instrumental” and “Best
Ceremonial Soloist” in The Wedding
Chronicle’s Readers’ Poll. Lisa’s
original music is available on iTunes!
You can reach Lisa at www.opusfromus.com/events
and 602-906-4060.
