How To Plan Your Ceremony Music - Advice & Expertise ft. Columbine Entertainment

How Do I Choose The Right Music For My Ceremony?

Georgina Petheö with Columbine Entertainment suggests mapping out your ceremony music by referring back to the order of your processional - the subtle changes in music should match the flow and transitions made throughout the processional. Here are some examples of different moments in which you could incorporate music or song changes throughout the opening of your ceremony.

Prelude Music

This should usually be more calming and is used to set the mood as guests take their seats prior to the ceremony.

Sarah Porter Photography

Sarah Porter Photography

Family Seating

This may include mothers, fathers, grandparents, siblings, etc and usually occurs before the wedding party processes!

Sarah Porter Photography

Sarah Porter Photography

Wedding Party Processional

Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Flower Girls, and Ring Bearers!

Samantha Ruscher Photo

Samantha Rauscher Photo

The Bridal Processional

The bride should always have her own specific song and special moment.

Sarah Porter Photography

Samantha Ruscher Photo

Special Rituals During the Ceremony

This can include lighting the Unity Candle or special moments such as when you give flowers to the mothers, a Sand Ceremony, Flower Ceremony, Wine Box Ceremony etc.—it can be nice to have background music during these types of moments.

Flower Ceremony - Sarah Porter Photography

Flower Ceremony - Sarah Porter Photography

Recessional

You will need recessional music for the bride and groom as they walk out as a married couple.

Heather Callanan Photography

Heather Callanan Photography

Postlude

The postlude should be happy, upbeat music for your guests to enjoy as they transition to cocktail hour!

Jackie Cooper Photo

How Do I Choose The Right Instrumental Combination For My Ceremony?

If you’re still not sure where to start with planning your ceremony music, check out the link below for more information on Columbine Entertainment’s website!

What Do I Get For My Money?

  • Limitless pre-wedding phone, FaceTime or Zoom consultations

  • Set up 15 minutes prior to the performance

  • Coordinating with the wedding coordinator or usher to get proper cues for the processional

  • Full ceremony performance

  • Tear down immediately following the performance

What Are The Best Discounted Options?

Sarah Porter Photography

The best option is to hire a Violin-Trumpet-Cello trio instead of a String Quartet. This combo offers the best price for a group that only consists of three musicians but provides the sound of a quartet. Plus, their pricing includes a 5% discount compared to other trios.

This option gives great sound production in an outdoor setting and offers a nice variety of sounds and moods. This group can play a variety of classical, jazzy, modern and dance music.

Are There Pre-Selected Packages To Choose From?

Columbine Entertainment offers 5% off when clients use a pre-selected instrumental combination. Each package is a playlist for the ceremony that saves you from having to sort through tons of songs on your own.

What Is Included In The Pre-Selected Packages?

  • Limitless consultations

  • Free setup and takedown

  • 10-15 minutes prelude music

  • 30-40 minutes ceremony music

  • 10-15 minutes postlude music

What Do I Need To Know For Outdoor Performances?

Musicians will usually need a covered area outdoors to set up their instruments. If your outdoor ceremony venue doesn’t have something like this, a large umbrella or small tent can easily be rented and used for the same purpose. The shade will help protect their instruments from the sun (and help keep the musicians cool as well!) Colorado is also known for its surprise rainstorms in the summer, so the added protection doesn’t hurt either.

Mackro Photography

Mackro Photography

Columbine Entertainment also recommends having your musicians set up in an area separate from loud locations that could interfere with the music (like next to water fountains, busy streets, particularly windy areas, etc).

Thank you Columbine Entertainment for your advice & expertise! Check out their website here for more information on their packages and pricing!

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