ADVICE FOR BRIDES IN SELECTING CEREMONY MUSIC
The Prelude music starts about 30 minutes before the ceremony. We generally play a variety of traditional wedding tunes and a variety of classical music in the brass quintet repertoire. We suggest that for most weddings that the selection of prelude music be left up to us to choose. However, we are glad to include requests of particular pieces if available. Special arrangements can be custom written, however doing so will require an additional charge.
Generally the first scripted moment in the music occurs with the seating of the Mothers. We receive a cue from the Wedding Coordinator (usually about 5 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony) that they are ready for the seating of the Mothers to begin the ceremony. On that cue, we wrap up whatever prelude music we were playing at the time, and we begin playing the piece selected for the seating of the Mothers. The most popular piece of music for the Seating of the Mothers is Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring or Schubert's Ave Maria. Frequently, the Grandmothers are also seated at this this time.
Next is the Wedding Party processional. The Officiant, Groom, and Best Man typically enter from the front of the church or room, but that is up to the discretion of the Wedding Coordinator and Bride. The remaining Groomsmen process down the aisle from the back of the church, followed by the Bridesmaids, Maid/Matron of honor, Ringbearer, and Flowergirl. The most popular musical selections for this point in the service are: Purcell's Trumpet Tune, Clarke's Prince of Denmarks March, Marcello's Heavens Declare the Glory of God, and Handel's La Rejoissance. We continue playing this piece until the entire Wedding Party has taken their place and we see that the Bride at the back of the church is ready to process - many Wedding Coordinators will close the doors to the sanctuary before the Bride makes her entrance.
We then end the Party Processional piece of music and begin playing the music that has been selected for the Bridal Processional. Usually a brief, brilliant fanfare from a solo trumpet announces that the Bride is about to enter. Then the Quintet seamlessly begins the Bride's Processional. The most popular for this are: Clarke's Prince of Denmarks March, Wagner's Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin (the "Here comes the Bride" song), Purcell's Trumpet Tune, and Charpentier's Te Deum. Other options are available to Brides who prefer something other than the traditional favorites.
During the ceremony, there is generally very little music (keep in mind that the participants have to stand the entire time). However, you may choose a Quintet feature piece played during the ceremony or have the Quintet lead the congregation in the singing of a traditional hymn or two.
At the close of the ceremony, one or two Recessionals are played. The traditional cue for the Quintet is the Presentation (after the kiss, the officiant says "I now present to you Mr. and Mrs....."). For larger weddings, the first Recessional serves to accompany the departure of the Bride, Groom, Wedding Party, Mothers, and Grandmothers. The second Recessional would accompany the departure of the remaining guests. Upbeat, joyous pieces of music are often chosen for the Recessionals, such as: Beethoven's Ode to Joy, Handel's Hornpipe from the Water Music, Handel's La Rejouissance or Marcello's Heavens Declare The Glory of God.