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Choosing Music For The Ceremony

Cheryl Warry • Mar 01, 2017

Music Can Set The Mood Of The Day

Choosing Music For The Ceremony

Out of all the events to celebrate your marriage, the wedding ceremony itself will probably be the most meaningful and, hopefully, memorable. It will also be the scene setter for all the fun and celebration that will follow at the reception.


But, let’s be honest, the ceremony itself is the reason for the celebration!


One of the biggest decisions you will need to make is whether to have live music of PA music. So many choices and more often than not it will come down to budget. That said there is no comparison between a duo who can read the mood of your guests over a selection from an itunes playlist. I've worked with some very talented duo's, Tim and Lisa Duo (not pictured here) are a very popular choice


Part of planning your ceremony is choosing the music and your celebrant can guide you if you are stuck for ideas. What I have found is that for some couples they find choosing the ceremony music difficult – so many choices to refine it to just three, four or five. So much so, that they sometimes give up, choose a couple of traditional songs for the Processional and Recessional, and leave it at that. And, while that is certainly one choice which will work well for some couples, I do believe that the ceremony music can be so much more.



Music can enrich almost any event, and that is particularly true of a wedding! And you can certainly enrich your own ceremony with the beauty and grandeur of music. Some opt for live music with a solo violinist or harpist; others are happy to have their favourite tunes waft over the PA system


The music you choose for your wedding ceremony is a reflection of you and your hopes and your dreams. In essence, the music you choose allows you to share an important part of yourself with your guests. It touches both you and them, and can bring you and your guests together.


Tip for Processional – You may need to consider two songs, one for the bridal party and one for the bride-to-be. These could be meaningful and poignant or as a couple, ‘your special song’


Tip for Signing the Legals – This is the fill-in music, so something that your guests will enjoy listening to whilst you are signing the legal documents, keep in mind that you may need two songs here.


Tip for Recessional – Pick something upbeat and happy as this symbolises the start or the celebrations

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COVID-19 has thrown many couples in to a spin and with all the months and sometimes years of planning, it has come down to making the choice to postpone or to go with the restrictions of just five people for what is most likely to be a legals-only style of ceremony. It is clear to see that the Corona Virus is not going away any time soon and I am mindful not to add to the potential risk, stress and harm that the virus may cause. It’s important that as an Australian marriage celebrant, I comply with the rules set down by our government and that they are adhered to, to the best of my ability. The Covid-19 restrictions that now apply to weddings, have been put in place to protect our nearest and dearest. If a couple still wish to get married, of course this is still possible, providing there are no more than five people present. This includes the marriage celebrant, the couple and their two legal witnesses over the age of 18. If the couple still wish to have a photographer and/or videographer then they must act as a witness. As laid out by the Australian Government, social distancing of at least 1.5 metres must be applied and the four square metre rule must be observed, this includes the signing of the legal documents. In the face of Corona Virus, one of the biggest challenges couples are faced with currently is to decide when to pull the trigger on their date and move it to a date further into 2020 or even move to 2021. Many of my couples have already made the decision to move weddings that are booked from now through to September and October until earlier in to 2021. Not an easy decision to make and there are many variables to consider; guests travel plans and accommodation to just begin with. If you are unsure of what to do, I would suggest that you engage with your suppliers and enquire about future dates and their availability. Yours won’t be the first call they have taken to discuss this very topic. I'm available to chat about your options either by email, zoom or over the phone. As many have said, we are living in such uncertain times and Covid-19 / Corona Virus is testing even the most resilient of us. Let's put the welfare of you, your families and your guests first.
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