Congratulations on your recent wedding proposal!
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Classical - Celtic - Renaissance - Irish or Medieval harps available. I also play with KingBeat, a four piece rock band specializing in the fusing of Celtic, folk and rock music With hits from the likes of calypso icon, Harry Belafonte, and Nouveau flamenco artist, Ottmar Liebert, and jazz guitarist, George Benson we provide the perfect music for wedding reception. |
The
following is a list I have put together of the most asked questions
concerning music at weddings.
Wedding Music Questions & Answers
1. What
kind of music is best at weddings?
The music that you choose should be music that is meaningful to you
and affirms your love between each other. This is what makes your occasion
so memorable!
2. When
is music played at weddings?
Music is traditionally played approximately 15 to 30 minutes before
and after the wedding ceremony (which can include the receiving line).
Sometimes guests gather for cocktails before the ceremony and music
can be played then too. The music for the bride is called the processional
and at the commencement of the ceremony, the recessional. Music can
also be played during the ceremony: lighting candles, mixing sand, roses
to parents or any created ritual that is memorable.
3. What if we are not familiar with the kind of music played at weddings?
I can make song suggestions, should you want classical or Celtic music
for your wedding. There are now many ways to hear these songs. We can
set up an appointment at my studio for you to listen to song selections.
We can connect with Skype for a consultation and demonstrate
the songs. Youtube is now a great resource to familiarize yourself with
classical or Celtic songs you have never heard before but are very appropriate
for weddings.
4. I don’t
want the traditional Bridal March song, what else can we use?
Any song that has a stately march will work well for the processional.
For recessionals, choose something upbeat! Pacabel Canon is becoming
the 2nd most requested song instead of the Bridal March. For traditional
music, I have many Celtic wedding songs to choose from. I put together
my own book called, Celtic
Wedding Music, which includes Celtic wedding traditions, Gaelic
sayings, wearing the tartan plaid, Celtic toasts, and music for the
ceremony. Below is a list of song suggestions.*
5. Do
the musicians come to the rehearsal?
It is not necessary that musicians come to the rehearsal. What is necessary
is clear direction on where you would like the musician(s) to sit and
have a contact name for when the musician arrives.
6. What time do the musicians arrive before the ceremony?
The musicians should be at the venue at least 45 minutes before the
starting time to play. Maps and cell phone numbers are very helpful!
7. I would
like an outdoor wedding. Does the musician need to know that?
To insure a smooth, stress free event, it is important so they can plan
accordingly. Music is used for cues in weddings and in places where
there are waterfalls or wind, music may not be heard. Outside, voices
may not carry and your guests may not hear you speak your vows. The
officiant, bride and groom should have microphones, so guests can hear
the ceremony. A shaded, flat area should be reserved for the harpist
and harp. In case of inclement weather, allow alternate plans to move
to an indoor location. Inclement weather is defined as temperatures
less than 50 degrees, very windy or any snow or rain.
8. In
what order does the wedding party march down the isle? Does the music
change for groom, bride and bridesmaids?
There are many variations to this scenario. Generally, the wedding ceremony
starts when the ushers bring the parents and family members in. Then
the officiate, groom and best man come down the isle. Some times the
bridesmaids and groomsmen arrive separately, or arm in
arm together. Then the bride comes down the isle with her attendant.
The music can be the same for the ring bearer or flower girl, bridesmaids,
groomsmen, and the groom and different for the bride. Some choose to
use one song for the whole processional.
9. Where
do the musicians sit for the ceremony?
If the musician sits at the place of the ceremony (front) it is helpful
for an assistant to let the musician know when the wedding party will
start down the isle, as the musicians view may be blocked. Some times
musicians are placed behind guests (back). It is beneficial to assign
someone
to cue the musician when to start playing ceremony music. In some cases
when the musicians view is blocked, and the bride and groom is standing
at the end of the isle, the Bridal March song or Pacabel Canon music
will finish at the earliest point of the music phrasing or for the Bridal
march at the end of the song.
10. What
happens in the music when we have a very short isle to walk down? Or
a very long isle?
When walking down a short isle, if you choose the Bridal March, wait
at the end of the isle until the song is completed. The Bridal March
is a very short song, but really completes the ceremony. If you choose
another song, I suggest at least completing a phrase of the song to
give
the song a finish. On very long marches, for example, the first 8 measures
of the song, Pacabel Canon is repeated until the Brides song.
11. What
if we request a song to be played at our wedding that you do not know?
If you can provide the music, I will do my best to learn your song.
Make sure that I receive the song in plenty of time to learn it for
your wedding.
12. Do
you require a deposit?
I require the full amount fee up front for your wedding, generally one
to three months before the actual wedding which eliminates last minute
balances due and accounting stress.
13. What
happens if you have to cancel and can't play at our wedding?
In the 20 years of playing weddings, I have never once missed a wedding,
nevertheless, circumstances can happen beyond my control. If this should
happen, as soon as possible, I will give you another harpist name to
perform your wedding and have a replacement.
14. Can
you back up a vocalist that I have hired?
Yes! As long as I have the sheet music in keys that work well with the
Celtic harp (key of F, C, G, D, A)
15. How
can I hear the songs you will play at our wedding?
Make an appointment to come to my studio to choose your songs. I will
play an assortment of possible choices of songs.
16. Is
there an charge for coming to your studio to hear you play songs we
will choose for our wedding?
There is never any fee for a consultation and choosing music.
17. We
are planning an outdoor wedding, will my guests be able hear the harp
outside?
Yes! I provide my own PA system and have an portable amplifier and electric
harp to insure that the harp can be heard over conversations, wind and
water fountains.
18. Can
you travel to my wedding site?
Yes, however travel fees may apply
19. What
happens when we decide we would like to hire you to play for our wedding?
I send out a contract that covers all the information stated in the
initial consultation. Should anything change, you can cross out the
line and write in new information and send the contract back with your
payment.
This is a partial listing. Please contact me for more songs.
| Classical:
Bridal
March |
Celtic:
Give
Me Your Hand |
|
Pop: Annie's
Song |
More
Pop:
I
Believe In You And Me |
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