Here are some more ideas for wedding music.  I feel like these songs might be more appropriate for a more contemporary wedding – maybe outdoors?  These songs don’t have as ‘churchy’ a feel to me, but I think they are so beautiful. (I’ve just linked each song to the amazon page where you can hear a demo)
Prelude music, sung while guests are being seated

- Unexpected Song from Song and Dance (no matter where I am, no matter what I do, I see your face appearing like an unexpected song that only we are hearing)

- Something Wonderful from The King and I (he will not always say what you would have him say, but now and then he’ll do something wonderful)

Seating of the grandmothers – Moon River (made famous from Breakfast at Tiffany’s) this was played at one of our weddings last year and it brought tears to my eyes – I mean, who doesn’t want to feel like Audrey Hepburn on their wedding day?

Bridal Processional – She (from Notting Hill)  I think this song has such a nice flow to it – it would be a lovely played by a keyboard or string quartet in a garden

So much of a wedding is personal, and these are just my preferences, but if you hear a song and you love the melody or the feel of it, it’s definitely worth seeing if it can be somehow worked into your wedding service – then it’ll be even more special to you.
take care,
-Laura

cassidy hall drummond = dream bride

and here’s how she did it – she planned the entire day around the light (knowing that since the day would be outside it would have a huge effect on the images), and on the wedding day she was truly up for anything – at one point we were on a golf cart but it felt like we were 4-wheeling!  cassidy has been a huge help to me the past few years. first an intern, then an employee – and now a bride.  it was surreal because aside from family, the people you spend the most time with are often those you work alongside so while we’re each on our computers we would plan her wedding in our heads.  we had so many conversations about the wedding and here it was – and I was the one she trusted to record it for her.  so so grateful for that.  it’s so nice to be at a wedding and see the potential in a couple – the chance they have to make their corner of the world brighter, happier & more wonderful…mr & mrs drummond will do that, without a doubt. -m-

I’m so flattered that Melanie has asked me to write a wedding music blog -I’m not any kind of music authority, just a girl who’s obsessed with songs and lyrics. 

Most of the music you hear during a wedding is instrumental, but if you know what the words are, or if it’s a special song from your childhood, it could mean that much more to you.  We wanted to give a few ideas to the bride who maybe hasn’t already decided on her ceremony music, and who might want some songs not featured quite as often (not that Canon in D isn’t a lovely piece).  This will be part one of two posts – these are ideas for a more traditional wedding–(i’ve linked to the amazon page with music samples, just look for the specific title)

Some songs that could be lovely if your organist is playing Prelude music:
- Ubi Caritas (where charity and love are, God is there)
- Set Me as a Seal (set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm; for love is as strong as death, Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it)
- Make Our Garden Grow from Candide (we’ll do the best we know; we’ll build our house and chop our wood; and make our garden grow)

Lovely ideas for a soloist to sing after the vows, before the exchange of rings:
- One Hand, One Heart from West Side Story (make of our hands one hand, make of our hearts one heart, now it begins, now we start; one hand, one heart, even death won’t part us now)

The best-ever Postlude music – for right after you are declared husband and wife:
- Widor: Toccata from Symphony No. 5

Also, ask the musicians you are using for your wedding what they would recommend.  That’s how I first heard the Widor – I asked my organist for suggestions, he played that, and I loved it!  If you have friends who can sing or play a musical instrument, ask them if they’d like to be involved – they’ll be flattered you asked.  Surprise your parents – include a short song after the vows that they love that isn’t in the program.  If you know the title of a song, but can’t find the music, check out musicnotes.com – you can buy individual songs for very little and print the music out from your desk!

Next time:  great song ideas for an outdoor wedding!
take care (and thanks for letting me share my ideas) -
Laura

cassidy and i had far too much fun in new york city – oh how i love it there!  i love walking all day long!!  so even if catherine and phil had been married in a noisy alley we would have shown up as the most enthusiastic pair around because i love being in new york and a change of scenery every once in a while.  but, lucky for us, they have *the* most exquisite taste and picked a gorgeous rooftop terrace, the city’s most talented event designer (remember the gorgeous Today Show Throws a Martha Stewart Wedding – yup, it was *that* Matthew Robbins/ArtFool) and cake baker (whom i am deeply smitten with – april reed is all that and a tall stack of buttercream in my book.  the monique lhuillier of cakes.) *and* had the wherewithall to keep the number of guests under 100 – I revel in intimate weddings!  Oh, Oh!  And can I tell you how Phil surprised Catherine? 

They went to a concert of up and coming musicians and really enjoyed one of them so Phil contacted him and commissioned a love song – and THEN, he had him come to the wedding and surprise everyone by performing their first song!!  So, ‘the most sentimental, loves a romantic gesture between a bride and groom more than anyone’ photographer was holding it together really well until he started singing about all the little personal things like how Catherine naps, and how Phil is good with numbers and can count cards. I melted – I love seeing who a bride and groom are…what they value & hold dear.  Sometimes that’s reflected during toasts, or during a dance but this was the moment this wedding where i got a peek into who Catherine & Phil were and wow!  They are the best!!  It’s why i fall head over heels in love with my clients and use all the fortitude i have not to ask them if they’d like to move next door when a house goes up for sale in my neighborhood or call them all the time to see if they’re up for a run to target.  Thankfully, for Catherine & Phil, there are several states in between :) 

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the wonderful guests – a handful of which were familiar faces from a wedding a few years ago – these Wellesley alums are so great at supporting one another and being there for each other’s celebrations! Catherine & Phil, endless thanks for having me come to new york for your bee-u-ti-full wedding!  -m-

p.s. i’ll be in palm beach this week sans email -  laura will be here taking great care of your notes to the mmp in-box *and* has a great 2-part post coming your way with music ideas for your wedding!