Selecting Music for Your Wedding
The music for your wedding ceremony is one of the most important elements in creating the perfect mood that you desire for your most special day. Timeless Elegance Music has played weddings with many different combinations of instruments including Flute, Harp, Piano, Flute and Harp, Flute, Harp and Piano, Flute and Piano, and more. There are many possibilities! The visual impact of a harp at a wedding, in addition to its wonderful, warm tone, can make your wedding truly unforgettable. Flute and harp is an exquisite combination, and the Flute, Harp and Piano ensemble is a great choice for large weddings and receptions.
The music you choose will set the mood, create atmosphere, and set the tone for your whole event. Timeless Elegance plays classical and light classical music that is perfectly suited for special, romantic events such as weddings, and the perfect complement to your reception/dinner. Be sure to check with the wedding site to learn if there are restrictions concerning the types of music allowed in the facility. Some places of worship have strict rules about types of music, instruments played, and composers. In addition, many places of worship have in-house musicians who play many of their weddings. Make sure you are not in conflict with these musicians or with the type of music allowed. This is your big day, so be sure that your chosen venue allows you to have the type of music you want for your ceremony, played on the instruments of your choice. It is a good idea to check with any venue you choose to make sure they allow the type of music and instruments that you want.
Special Considerations With Harps and Venues
There are some very important details to consider whenever you book a harp for your event. These issues include:
* Accessibility to the site and Available Parking. What type of access does the facility have to the actual location of the ceremony? A parking space close to the entrance to the facility is important! A harp is about 6' tall and weighs approximately 85 pounds. In addition, there is a bench and a bag for all of the things a harpist needs including music stand, tuner, music, etc..
Access also includes the issue of steps and/or uneven ground such as dirt, tiles or gravel. A few steps are manageable, but an entire staircase is not going to work. Does the facility have handicap access with a ramp? Even though the harp is on a special carrier, much like a dolly, it still has to roll over the ground. So be extra careful when booking your venue and a harp together. If you can, visit the site and take some notes on the accessibility of the location where you would like your ceremony to take place.
* Location: Location is everything with a harp. If the ceremony is inside, it is usually easier and more straight forward to pick a spot for the harp. Inside, the weather, the floor surface, and heat will not be a factor. However, if you are outside, you must consider the weather as well as the surface outside. Harps are very expensive! The harp needs to be on a hard, flat surface. Well cut smooth grass is not impossible, but most grass is uneven enough that the harp is very unsteady and unsafe. In addition, the harp cannot be in direct sunlight. If the harp must be outside, it must be under a canopy or tent, on a hard surface with wind protection, and of course no rain! If your event takes place in the winter, it is sometimes necessary to provide a heater for the musicians as it can get very cold outside on porches and patios.
* Lighting: If your event is inside, it is important to know if the area is dark or well lit. Some venues can be very dark, especially if the harp is playing during a candle light dinner! A harpist must look at both the music and the strings, and low light makes it very difficult to play. If you plan on having your event in a darker room, please be sure to have an extra lamp or two available for the musicians.
Once you choose the instruments you would like, you will need to decide when you need the music. Do you need music prior to the wedding while guests are being seated (the Prelude)? Do you have flower girls, best men, parents, or bride's maids processing to music? If you do, do they each need their own piece, or do they all enter to the same piece. Knowing how long the procession is is also very important. If the aisle is very short, this will affect the required duration of music. If it is quite long, this will also affect the pieces chosen and the duration required to make sure the music begins and ends at the proper time. Some thoughtful planning can make your ceremony all the more special!
It is customary to perform a prelude or pre-wedding concert. This is the period of music performed as the guests arrive. It usually lasts lasts from fifteen to thirty minutes and helps to set the mood for the wedding. The music of Timeless Elegance is perfectly suited for this as is allows guests to converse and greet each other as they arrive and find their seats without the need to speak loudly. Timeless Elegance has an extensive library of music that is well suited for wedding ceremonies, so there is no need to worry about piece selection. With Timeless Elegance, you know you are getting quality music!
Coordination and Procession
If you have a wedding coordinator, make sure they are available during the ceremony to cue the musicians when all wedding party participants are entering, and when the bride is processing. These cues are important for the musicians, especially if there is more than one piece required for the various members of the wedding party. If you do not have a coordinator, make sure you select someone to take on the task of providing cues.
As mentioned, it is important to know how many pieces are required for the ceremony. It is possible to have separate pieces for all groups, or just one piece prior to the bride. Consider music you would like for seating parents/grandparents, ring bearers, flower girls, bride's maids, and best men. Once everyone is in place, the musicians will pause, and the cue will be given for the arrival of the bride. Many modern brides no longer wish to have the traditional bridal march. Timeless Elegance will work with you to ensure that you get the type of music you want for your professional. Of course, the traditional march is always an option, and a very good choice as well! It is best to choose fewer pieces as this will help your ceremony run more smoothly, with less interruption and pauses.
During the Ceremony
Depending on the nature of your ceremony, there are several possible points at which you may wish to have music played. Some of these times may include lighting of candles, communion, immediately after the exchange of vows, special prayers, a few moments of meditation, or other special moments.
Recessional
Following the final words of the ceremony, the bride and groom are generally introduced for the first time as husband and wife, and it is at this point that the recessional music begins. Again, if you have a specific choice of music, you can let your musicians know what you would like. The recessional music is always very upbeat and joyous, and since everyone is clapping at this time, almost any joyous piece will work well.
Postlude
As the wedding party and guests leave the ceremony area, music is played for about another 15 minutes. It is at this point that you need to decide if you would like the music to continue into the reception and/or dinner. This can be further discussed when you book Timeless Elegance for your event.
