Things to consider when arranging the music for a Church Wedding.
It is important for Bride’s and Groom when choosing your music to check with the Vicar, Priest or Minister to see if there is a resident organist and choir. If you feel that your guests may not sing very well or even not at all, then it would be best to book a choir.
Most Churches will have a resident organist and choir, but if not, you would have to think about booking another choir or organist to sing and play at your wedding.
Some Churches might even do a wedding package so it would be more cost effective to you to have the organist, choir and Church bells ringing, rather than paying for each one separately.
Wedding Music for a Church Ceremony
Generally you would need to think about choosing one or two pieces of organ music to be played as your guests arrive, then the Bride’s processional piece.
There is usually up to three hymns and a choir anthem or other music which is played during the signing of the register. Finally a piece of music to be played for the Bride and Groom’s recessional.
Do you want the traditional organist or other wedding musicians to play for your wedding?
Unless there is a wedding package offered by the Church and especially if there is no resident organist, then you would have to bring in another musician to play at your Church wedding.
If you don’t particularly want to hear the sound of the organ and would prefer a professional singer, flute and guitarist, or trumpet player to make your service more modern and up to date then you would have to check with the Vicar, Priest or Minister in charge to ask if this is allowed.
Most Churches will find this acceptable – to have music from from live musicians, but some Churches may be reluctant to play modern taped music.
Why choose musicians other than an organist?
Having organ music played at your wedding means that the words of the hymns should be sung over the top. If you don’t particularly want a choir then the Bride and Groom will be relying on their wedding guests to sing up!
This can be embarrassing if no one sings if there are not many Church goers in the wedding party! A way to get round this would be to book some other musician like a trumpet player or flute and guitarist.
In doing so will allow your guests, who may be unfamiliar with hymns, to relax and enjoy the music played by the wedding musicians instead of having hymns played by the organ.