Music plays a big part at your wedding

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33033, 28 September 1972, Page 11

Music plays a big part at your wedding

Whether you are having a quiet wedding or a grand occasion, whether it is in a cathedral or small country church, the music for your marriage service is very important. There is an enormous choice and if the clergyman approves its suitability and the organist can play it, there is no reason why there should be limitations to what you have.

There are three stages in the church ceremony, apart from the hymns, when the music dominates the mood: before the entrance of the bride; while the couple are signing the register in the vestry; and finally as the bride and groom leave the church together. Usually the entrance music is slow, rising to a crescendo as the bride walks up the aisle. Anthems are sung during the register-signing, and joyful music is chosen for the final “march.” But this formula does not have to be strictly followed; many favourite pieces can be

used for either the entrance or exit.

For instance, movements from Handel’s Water Music: some of Bach’s Toccatas (particularly his Toccata and Fugue in D Minor); the Air on a G String; Jesu Joy of Man’s desiring, Parry’s Wedding March, or Brahms’ Waltz in A Flat.

Many brides choose the march from Wagner’s Lohengrin for the processional, while Mendelsohn’s music is equally popular for the recessional. The bride and groom are freej to choose whatever they like, bearing in mind that it should reflect the solemn but joyous ceremony. The music for the wedding usually consists of: (1) One or two solos before the bride enters. (2) Processional. (3) Prayer song (either sung or played). (4) Recessional. Before making your final decision, the minister should be consulted.