On the other hand, if your ceremony will be in a church or synagogue, or conducted by a clergy person at
another location, you will probably need to stay within guidelines set by the clergy person or the church.
Popular Music
Most religious denominations consider a wedding ceremony to be a form of worship service. For this reason,
churches generally do not allow "secular" music (non-religious popular music) during a wedding. Some will allow
secular music while the guests are being seated, but not during the ceremony itself. Check with the church
where your wedding will be held for its specific guidelines.
How religious do the lyrics of a song have to be for a church wedding? Songs that make respectful reference to
God (or to Jesus or the Holy Spirit in Christian churches) are almost certain to be acceptable. Many churches
will also allow a song that does not make specific reference to a deity, as long as it focuses on religious ideals
and values relating to love and marriage, such as faithfulness and mutual support.
When Can We Play a Vocal Song?
Appropriate places in the ceremony for vocal selections, depending on church guidelines, may include: (1)
during the seating of the mothers or lighting of candles by the mothers; (2) immediately before the
processional; (3) before the vows; (4) during the lighting of the unity candle, ritual or other gesture; and (5)
during the serving of communion to the congregation, if this is included in the ceremony.
Finding the Right Songs
Vocal music is probably the aspect of your wedding music selection where you will want to have the most
personal involvement, since the songs include lyrics and you will want them to be especially meaningful for you.
Where can you find songs with just the right lyrics that will be acceptable in a church setting? And preferably
something you haven't heard at a hundred other weddings?
First, ask your vocalist or accompanist for suggestions. Have them show you their sheet music for the songs
they suggest, and when you find one with lyrics you like (whether the music is SUNG or not), have them play or
sing that song for you.
What about the instrumental-only music for your wedding ceremony? Your choices here may include the church
organist or pianist, string quartet, harpist, guitarist, or other instrumentalists. When you meet with your
instrumental musician(s), they will probably be happy to play various pieces for you that can be used for the
processionals and the recessional. You may be allowed to select one piece for the processional where the bridal
party enters, another for the bride's processional, and another for the recessional.
Custom Song Writing
Another option is to hire a composer/songwriter to write a special song for your wedding ceremony. There are
several websites where these services are offered. Be sure to give the songwriter plenty of advance time
before your wedding to complete the song.
another location, you will probably need to stay within guidelines set by the clergy person or the church.
Popular Music
Most religious denominations consider a wedding ceremony to be a form of worship service. For this reason,
churches generally do not allow "secular" music (non-religious popular music) during a wedding. Some will allow
secular music while the guests are being seated, but not during the ceremony itself. Check with the church
where your wedding will be held for its specific guidelines.
How religious do the lyrics of a song have to be for a church wedding? Songs that make respectful reference to
God (or to Jesus or the Holy Spirit in Christian churches) are almost certain to be acceptable. Many churches
will also allow a song that does not make specific reference to a deity, as long as it focuses on religious ideals
and values relating to love and marriage, such as faithfulness and mutual support.
When Can We Play a Vocal Song?
Appropriate places in the ceremony for vocal selections, depending on church guidelines, may include: (1)
during the seating of the mothers or lighting of candles by the mothers; (2) immediately before the
processional; (3) before the vows; (4) during the lighting of the unity candle, ritual or other gesture; and (5)
during the serving of communion to the congregation, if this is included in the ceremony.
Finding the Right Songs
Vocal music is probably the aspect of your wedding music selection where you will want to have the most
personal involvement, since the songs include lyrics and you will want them to be especially meaningful for you.
Where can you find songs with just the right lyrics that will be acceptable in a church setting? And preferably
something you haven't heard at a hundred other weddings?
First, ask your vocalist or accompanist for suggestions. Have them show you their sheet music for the songs
they suggest, and when you find one with lyrics you like (whether the music is SUNG or not), have them play or
sing that song for you.
What about the instrumental-only music for your wedding ceremony? Your choices here may include the church
organist or pianist, string quartet, harpist, guitarist, or other instrumentalists. When you meet with your
instrumental musician(s), they will probably be happy to play various pieces for you that can be used for the
processionals and the recessional. You may be allowed to select one piece for the processional where the bridal
party enters, another for the bride's processional, and another for the recessional.
Custom Song Writing
Another option is to hire a composer/songwriter to write a special song for your wedding ceremony. There are
several websites where these services are offered. Be sure to give the songwriter plenty of advance time
before your wedding to complete the song.
Choosing the Music for Your Wedding Ceremony
If you are like most brides and grooms, the music that will be played
during your wedding ceremony is very important to you -- but you may
not have a clue how to go about selecting it!
Here are some guidelines...
An important factor in choosing your music is the setting for your
wedding ceremony. If your ceremony will not be in a religious setting,
you can choose just about any kind of music you like -- although you
will want to stay within the bounds of good taste!
If you are like most brides and grooms, the music that will be played
during your wedding ceremony is very important to you -- but you may
not have a clue how to go about selecting it!
Here are some guidelines...
An important factor in choosing your music is the setting for your
wedding ceremony. If your ceremony will not be in a religious setting,
you can choose just about any kind of music you like -- although you
will want to stay within the bounds of good taste!
| Copyright © 2009 Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison |
