Our (very large!) extended family has a bunch of weddings coming up yet this year, and our calendar for fall of 2019 is already filling up. It’s going to be a fun couple of years! I look forward to seeing the beautiful brides and their adoring grooms. I’m eager to see the dresses and tuxes. Reunions with family and friends. Fun at the reception. Delicious food… What’s not to love about a wedding?
But there’s one thing in particular I always eagerly anticipate: the wedding music. I LOVE a musical wedding! When hubby and I got married we had pre-wedding solos provided by a couple friends and an aunt. I even sang Roger Copeland’s “The Bridal Prayer” right before the processional. (Don’t know what I was thinking–as if I didn’t have enough on my mind that day!) For the processional, one friend played the organ and another the flute on Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” (before it was the popular song to have at weddings!) The guests sang a couple of hymns. Hubby and I sang to each other after lighting the unity candle. My aunt sang “The Lord’s Prayer” and a quartet sang Lutkin’s Benediction, “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” Oh, and at the reception, we had a program while waiting for the meal, and, yes, friends provided more music. (It does help to have a plethora of talented friends and family!)
Hubby and I singing “He Has Chosen You for Me” following unity candle lighting
Over the years, I’ve also sung at a few weddings, doing songs from Petra’s “Love” to Sandi Patty’s “Love Will Be our Home” to Steven Curtis Chapman’s “I Will be Here.”
So when I attend a wedding, I have many questions running through my mind: will their be pre-wedding music? What will the processional be? Will they have music during the wedding? During the lighting of the unity candle? Will their be any congressional music? And what will play during the recessional? Will the music be provided by organists? Pianists? Vocalists? A recording? Other instruments? All of the above? I admit, I’m disappointed when music plays a small role.
What about you? Do you enjoy a music-filled wedding? Do you have a favorite song (or songs) you love to hear?
Brenda S. Anderson writes gritty and authentic, life-affirming fiction. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and is Past-President of the ACFW Minnesota chapter, MN-NICE, the 2016 Chapter of the Year. When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, theater, roller coasters, and baseball, and she loves watching movies with her family. She lives in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area with her husband of 30 years, their three children, and one sassy cat. Readers can learn more about Brenda S. Anderson at www.brendaandersonbooks.com
Hi Brenda, it sounds like you have some lovely, family filled times ahead:) I love music and I love weddings- our wedding was the weekend after our university graduation . I remember getting to the Friday rehearsal before our wedding on Sunday and being asked what music we had chosen. We had talked about it, but had gotten so busy with final exams, graduation preparation and graduation and then packing to move south, that it completely slipped our minds!! So, the Friday before, here we are sitting down, frantically trying to find all the songs we had been thinking of and getting everything ready- I smile and have a laugh now, but at the time…on man!!
Blessings:)
Hi Brenda! I enjoy music at weddings. My husband sang at a few of his friends’ weddings. His best friend is a trained musician, who sang the prelude and The Lord’s Prayer at our wedding. His wife also an accomplished musician played the organ. My 14 year old brother played the violin at the reception. My middle son’s father in law played the harp (he made) at their wedding. He is also an accomplished musician. Pachelbel’s Canon and The Lord’s Prayer are two of my favorite wedding pieces. Best wishes and Happy Writing.
I love wedding music.
Oh, wow! I can’t imagine having to worry about graduation AND a wedding! That you pulled off graduating and getting married is no small feat.
Oh, I’m drooling just thinking about organ, violin, harp music, and trained vocalists! Sounds like you have a lot of gifted musicians among friends and family. What a blessing! I love to hear about others who share their gifts at weddings. :)
Isn’t it wonderful, Lucy?! To me, beautiful music is a perfect way to celebrate a marriage!
When my husband and I got married, a good friend sang the same song that was sung at my parents’ wedding! It was “Entreat Me Not to Leave Thee”
Oh, how cool is that?! I have to look up that song now. :)
Recently my niece sang to her groom as she came down the aisle. She did a beautiful job. I wish I could tell you the song, but it was appropriate and emotive.
A friend played piano for ours, way back when. My bridesmaids came in to The Love of God. Another friend played a trombone solo for the recessional. I can’t remember now what he played at the wedding, but at the rehearsal, he played Onward Christian Soldiers and got a good laugh out of everyone!
Wow! Singing as she came down the aisle?! That’s impressive! I’m sure there wasn’t a dry eye!
Isn’t it wonderful to have talented friends & family to share in your special day?!
I enjoy a music filled wedding. My daughters both had a lot of music, some original, for their weddings. People commented on it afterwards. We had a lot of friends willing to share their talents.
How cool to have original music! Love that! It really is a blessing having musical friends to share this special day!
I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly at weddings, being a pianist/organist/soloist! LOL! When it’s good, it’s wonderful, and when it’s bad, I cringe for everyone! Two weddings come to mind, however, that I had no part other than that of guest. One was a Church of Christ wedding (no instrumental music) that featured a vocal ensemble. It was amazing. It helped that this was in a college town with a wonderful music department, but they did a medley of “wedding” songs, including “Goin’ to the Chapel,” during the slide show that was just wonderful. Another was our minister of music’s wedding. They had a harpist, and it was so soothing, not to mention beautiful. Funny, isn’t it, how it’s the different that stands out?
Your wedding sounds so lovely, Brenda. I’m ashamed to admit music wasn’t a big thing at our wedding. We had one song sang during the ceremony and a piano for walking down the aisle and leaving. Around here, that’s usually the way it is. Music takes a back seat. Maybe we need to step up our game in Arkansas.
Oh, I can imagine the music you’ve heard, and being a musician, you’re likely fairly picky (I know I am!).
I love music that’s *different* as well, something that stands out as well thought out and fitting for the couple.
I think your wedding is pretty much the norm, Shannon (and I’m certain your wedding was absolutely beautiful!). While I love musical weddings, most weddings I attend don’t have a lot of music. :(
I really like the movie Father of the Bride and really came to like Pachelbel’s Canon in D as a result. It’s what plays as Annie walks down the aisle.
I didn’t know that, Jessica. Now I have to check out that movie. :)