Top tips when choosing your wedding music

wedding music
Aisling Ennis – Wedding Harpist

Top tips when choosing your wedding music Aisling Ennis loves a challenge, arranging music, especially for her wedding clients, and trying out new things, all to create the atmosphere that best reflects the story and theme of the day. Aisling comments, “Some hilarious conversations and emails have been passed back and forth. Some couples like to have all virtuoso solo harp playing to display their love of classical music and show off Aisling’s virtuosic performance for the wow factor. Most couples want to find the music that means something to them, and to know that on the day, their guests will think it’s beautiful and that they will love it too.”. “I have specially arranged everything from Nine Inch Nails songs to Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters and really, the only thing I ever said no to – was an Eminem rap.. the music wasn’t the problem! I don’t rap!”

Safe to say, with a musician you trust, when it comes to your wedding music, there are no wrong answers – just the story of you and your partner. For some couples, this means a very traditional choice of music, yet for others, it means a very contemporary and alternative mix of music. This guide to the civil ceremony might get some ideas flowing and reassure one very important point – it’s your day, your ceremony – the music has to suit your style, your taste, and your story.

Wedding Themes:

Your music programme may be a collection of your favourite pieces of music, and it may be themed to create a particular atmosphere. The options are endless, and it may be as simple as keeping to the most traditional of formal music choices or a glamorous movie theme, a twenties vibe of light jazz and old show tunes. The choice is yours, and Aisling will guide you through your options and suggest suggestions.

The arrival of the Guests:

Some light background music during the arrival of the guests goes a long way to settle nerves, break the ice for any guests who are flying solo and ultimately set the scene for the bride’s grand entrance. So, let the music reflect the mood you are trying to create:

Slow, sentimental pop romantic classics
Upbeat classical music for suspense and anticipation
Slow, meaningful classical music
A mix of Irish songs airs and stately music
Light jazz and show tunes for a relaxed atmosphere
A hand-picked set list of up to fifteen pieces that you love
A mixed bag of all of the above

Bridal Procession:

The Procession is a beautiful moment in the ceremony. Often, the choice of music here is slow and serene.

Pachelbel’s Canon in D
Gabriel’s Oboe from the Mission
She moved through the fair (Irish Traditional)
Air from Handel’s Water Music
Wagner’s Wedding March

Musical Interlude:

With so much happening during the ceremony, it can be lovely to take a few minutes to sit and enjoy a piece of music that reflects your feelings at that moment. Again, this can be a song or piece that means something special to you and your partner or a beautiful soothing piece of classical music that Aisling suggests.

Ag Criost a Soil
Amazing Grace
She Moved through the Fair
O Mio Babbino Caro
A solo virtuoso harp piece

The signing of the Register:

The signing of the register is a more relaxed point in the ceremony. Often, couples select songs or pieces with a particular message about marriage and togetherness or, again, select music that is in keeping with their wedding theme.

La Vie en Rose (Edith Piaf)
You Raise Me Up (Brian Kennedy, Westlife)
The Voyage (Christy Moore)
From This Moment (Shania Twain)

Exit Procession of Bride and Groom:

Although it is not compulsory, exit music tends to be the most upbeat music in the ceremony. A celebration of the wedding having taken place! Here are the most popular choices:

Mendelssohn’s Wedding March
The arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Handel’s Harp Concerto
Carolan’s Concerto (Irish traditional piece)

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