The Style Strings Ensemble Music Planning Tips

The Wedding Party's Processional
For the music, most wedding ceremonies have six major parts, each with their own special requirements: If you do not want to choose individual songs for your ceremony, our experienced wedding musicians will be able to play appropriate songs in the right places. However, picking out your own music can be more meaningful and satisfying.

The Prelude
The purpose of the prelude music is to welcome guests as they are being seated before the ceremony. It also should give a cheerful yet subdued atmosphere, setting the stage for the solemnity of the event. The prelude generally begins 15 minutes before the ceremony start time since the ceremony may start a few minutes late. It often includes 20+ minutes as guests are being seated and involves a number of songs. Because of this, it's best to give us an idea of the genre of music you want but you do not need to select all the songs.

The Wedding Party's Processional
The wedding party's processional marks the official beginning of the ceremony. It should have a slow but flowing feel, ushering the beautiful bridesmaids and other members of the wedding party down the aisle. Perhaps the classic example here is Canon in D by Pachelbel, but many things work well.

The Bride's Processional
The bride's processional can be an incredible moment, as memorable to everyone involved as the vows or any other part of the ceremony. You should choose a very special song here. If you go with Classical music, the obvious traditional choice is Wagner's Bridal Chorus "Here Comes the Bride". Any piece that strikes you as particularly beautiful or meaningful can be used here. Other popular choices are The Prince Of Denmark's March, music from Handel's Watermusic Suite, or Purcell's Trumpet Tune.

The Interlude
The interlude can actually be many different moments in the ceremony. A very loose definition being any time there are no words being spoken for a minute or more. For most ceremonies, the interlude is the unity candle, memorial candle, or rose presentation. These are moments of quiet reflection, and the music you choose should encourage this mood.

The Recessional
At last, time to celebrate! The wedding officiant's pronouncement of husband and wife is followed by enthusiastic applause and joyous recessional music as the happy couple leads the way back up the aisle. The song you choose should be bright and upbeat, inviting everyone to celebrate your union. The top traditional choice for the recessional is Mendelssohn's Wedding March. A close second and third are Beethoven's Ode to Joy and The Trumpet Tune By Purcell, but any song with a joyous feel that speaks to you will work well in this spot.

The Postlude
The postlude sets a pleasant atmosphere as guests are leaving. It can last between 10-15 minutes, so it's best to treat the postlude like the prelude and simply give the us an idea of what you want. Our experienced wedding musicians will play postlude music that is refined but upbeat, adding the finishing touch to your beautiful ceremony. The best starting point for specific ceremony music ideas is the repertoire list above. The songs listed there are usually ones that the are requested frequently and we know work very well. If you have a special request that is not in our repertoire please let us know and we will do our best to make arrangements for it.