WEDDING MUSIC PLANNING GUIDE PRELUDE, sometimes called “pre-ceremony music” As your guests arrive, twenty minutes before your ceremony is scheduled to begin, a non-stop tapestry of pieces/songs will set an elegant, expectant tone for the wedding. You can select prelude music yourself or let Silk Music choose pieces suited to your taste. Let us know if there is a certain style of music you would like us to emphasize, de-emphasize or eliminate completely. For example, some churches only allow classical and/or Christian songs at wedding ceremonies, some couples ask us to emphasize film music... Bach - BWV 1068 - Air on the G String * LISTEN Bach - BWV 508 - Bist du bei mir * LISTEN  Handel - Xerxes - Ombra Mai Fu * LISTEN  Satie - Gymnopedie No. 1 * LISTEN  Marcello  - Adagio from Oboe Concerto in d * LISTEN  Pachelbel - Canon * LISTEN  Other... SEATING OF THE PARENTS OR FAMILY Some couples prefer to simply seat their parents or families as part of the prelude. Other couples prefer to hear a special piece/song while the parents or families are seated. In case you choose this option, Silk Music will continue prelude music until you are ready to start the ceremony. The music stops for the first time in about 20-30 minutes: generally this is a great cue to your guests that the ceremony is actually beginning. Consequently Silk Music starts the selected piece/song for your families to be seated. This is a great time for a vocal/instrumental solo. PROS: It can really highlight this point in the ceremony + No one is yet standing up front, feeling like they're being stared at while the soloist is singing/playing. CON: The wedding party isn't in yet to hear and enjoy the song.                          No special song, just part of the prelude  Albinoni - Adagio from Concerto in d * LISTEN  Bach - BWV 147 - Jesu Bleibet Meine Freunde (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring) * LISTEN  Gounod/Bach - Ave Maria * LISTEN  Schubert - Ave Maria * LISTEN  Other... PROCESSIONAL: entrance of the officiant, groom and attendants In most cases, one song works well for all of the wedding party (except the Bride) to enter. However, if you have a very long aisle and/or more than ten attendants, it might be good to have two songs.  Bach - BWV 156 - Arioso * LISTEN  Elgar - Salut d’Amour * LISTEN  The Gift of Love * LISTEN  Other... BRIDE’S ENTRANCE Wagner’s Wedding March is a traditional piece for this moment of the ceremony. It makes for a grand entrance, bringing your guests automatically to their feet. Some brides ask to play the Wedding March in a softer, more flowing style, which is definitely possible too. Wagner - Lohengrin - Wedding March * LISTEN Clarke, J.  - Trumpet Voluntary * LISTEN Purcell - Trumpet Tune and Air * LISTEN Charpentier - Te Deum * LISTEN Tchaikovsky - Waltz of The Flowers * LISTEN Other... UNITY CANDLE The unity candle symbolizes the union of two individuals. It has become a widespread tradition in the US. Yet, because of its pagan roots, it is not allowed in some (catholic) churches.  Bach - BWV 202 - Wedding Cantata - Sich Üben im Lieben * LISTEN  Morricone - Gabriel’s Oboe * LISTEN  Bernstein - West Side Story - One Hand, One Heart * LISTEN  Titanic - My Heart Will Go On * LISTEN  Saint-Saens - My Heart at Thy Dear Voice (Mon Coeur s’ouvre à ta Voix) * LISTEN  Other... SPECIAL MUSIC/OFFERING  Albinoni - Adagio from Concerto in d * LISTEN  Bach - BWV 202 - Wedding Cantata - Adagio * LISTEN  Bernstein - West Side Story - One Hand, One Heart * LISTEN  Handel - Samson - Let The Bright Seraphim * LISTEN  Schubert - Swan Song * LISTEN  Other... PRAYER  Malotte - The Lord’s Prayer * LISTEN  Webber - Pie Jesu * LISTEN  Celine Dion - The Prayer * LISTEN  Vivaldi - Domine Deus from Gloria * LISTEN  Other... RECESSIONAL MUSIC and POSTLUDE, sometimes called post-ceremony music The wedding recessional and the wedding postlude go hand-in-hand. The transition from one to the next is usually seamless. The purpose of the recessional is to provide celebratory music to accompany the departure of the newly-married couple and the wedding party from the ceremony. The purpose of the postlude is to provide joyful music to accompany the departure of your guests from your wedding ceremony. Other than the prelude, this is the longest musical portion in your ceremony. To avoid playing the same song over and over and over, I'll play the song you select as you and your wedding party exit, and then continue with other pieces fitting your musical taste. Mendelssohn - Wedding March from Midsummer Night's Dream: A traditional grand choice of recessional   Clarke, J. - Trumpet Voluntary * LISTEN  Purcell - Trumpet Tune and Air * LISTEN  Delibes - Lakme - Flower Duet * LISTEN  Aladin - A Whole New World * LISTEN  Handel - Solomon - Arrival of The Queen of Sheba * LISTEN  Other...