MORE THAN WEDDING BELLS

The job of a wedding band isn’t just to play live music for weddings—or simply chalk up your favourite songs like an iTunes or Spotify playlist. A far more  important responsibility sits on a band’s shoulders: gauging the mood and hitting the right notes to sweep guests off their feet.

Understanding how people react to music and making them smile and tap their feet Is not an easy feat. This is why it is important for you to select the right band who’s up for the job.

More than that, the band should be able to pick your ideas and mould them to deliver an eventful line-up of music. This customising can be a key to personalizing every moment of your very special day.

Admittedly, you (and the live band, of course) have got many options to choose from—baroque, classical, romantic, tango, jazz, pop and folk. But what exactly fits the bill for your wedding?

Let’s take a look at what can be played when during your special day:

A Portal to Prelude: The prelude is the time before the wedding when guests arrive and shift and seat themselves before warming up and breaking into light talk.

During this time, the band should simply melt into the background, calmly playing ambient and upbeat music to make guests feel comfortable and welcome.

Classical, upbeat, wedding music shines here, or any mellow track for that matter (with the ability to exist and not evade personal space). Your best choice is always a string quartet, as this provides the fullest harmonies. A string quartet comprises two violins, a viola and cello. The next best option is a string trio, comprising of two violins and a cello.

Proceeding to Processional: When guests are seated and anticipation hangs heavy in the air, it is time for the arrival of the bridal party. And what better way to announce this than with a traditional wedding song or your favourite song, arranged for string quartet (at no extra cost to you!).

If you prefer traditional, then this is where the very famous ‘Wedding March’ by Wagner is usually played. Of course, it is not the only song to top the procession charts. ‘Canon in D’ by Pachelbel is also a beautiful work worth playing.

But what if you’re looking for something different? Something more modern? How about an instrumental of ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri or Jason Mraz’s ‘I’m Yours’. Whatever your favourite song, String Musicians Australia will arrange it for string quartet at no extra charge.

Psst! Movie themes can easily be incorporated as wedding music by classical bands and quartets. Ask your band and find out how they can add a unique a flavour to your wedding.

Signing the Register: The big event—and pretty straightforward when it comes to wedding music. This is classical and baroque You want emotions to be visible on those violin strings as each note reverberates within you and your significant other.

This moment demands a simple, passionate tone, letting your feelings overflow with love.

Of course, if you prefer modern pop songs during this time, that’s no problem. During the signing of the register, your string quartet will perform two of your selected songs.

Roused at Recessional: This is where the fun begins. You know this too, because there’s a good chance you’ve planned your grand exit after saying I do.

Recessionals call for something bright, lively, ready to announce not just any exit, but a grand, joyous and alive

While taking a traditional path is always a welcome (‘Wedding March’ by Mendelssohn), this is your moment, after all. Go nuts with a mix of lively pop, jazz and romantic songs, or even something entirely wild like tango that suits the two of you.

You can glide to the exit—hand-in-hand with your significant other—on Norah Jones’ ‘Come Away with Me’, or dance with the very upbeat ‘Fools Rush In’ by Elvis Presley.

The choice is yours, of course. The recessional is that one part of your wedding where you can truly break the notion and signify who you two are as a couple. Imagine this to be your theme to break into a new life.