Its important to consider where you put the music during the wedding ceremony. Music during a wedding ceremony should only be used to accompany a particular activity. Music is not to be played on its own for the sole purpose of entertaining your guests. It is used to embellish the formality of the ceremony itself.
![Wedding Ceremony Music Guide [2021]](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/270/2702201/wedding-ceremony-music-guide-2021-L-pnGYOA.jpeg "Wedding Ceremony Music Guide [2021]")
It is always a good idea to keep the music as religious as possible for church ceremonies. As the ceremony is officially over at the signing of the register, it is more appropriate to have modern songs or pop songs at this point, rather than say, at the communion or the offertory. However, it is essentially up to the couple what music is performed, so long as the priest or celebrant of the mass is in agreement.
As instrumental pieces don't obviously have any words, and therefore can't be considered non-religious, they can be performed at any stage during the wedding ceremony.
However, the instrumental versions of well known songs mightn't be considered appropriate - for instance, 'Molly Malone'. Whereas something like 'Carrickfergus' would be fine. Common sense should prevail here.
A variety of pieces/songs will ensure that the wedding ceremony music doesn't become too stale or repetitive i.e. a mixture between classical, Irish, and modern hymns or songs.
More important would be a music programme that doesn't just have hymns or songs, but instrumental pieces too.
The candle ceremonies only last a short period of time, and so a typical piece of music lasting 2 to 3 minutes is too long, and disturbs the flow of the mass. Therefore, some musicians will advise that an instrumental piece is performed here, because these pieces of music can easily be adapted on the day to last the length of time it takes to actually light the candles.
One piece of music is generally sufficient for the processional/the entrance of both the bridesmaids and the bride herself into the church. However, church musicians are generally open to suggestions if there is a requirement for two separate pieces of music.
Two pieces of music at the communion are sufficient in length to cover the duration of the communion. If there is an unusually large congregation receiving communion, your musician can always perform a third piece, and can defer making a decision on that until the day itself.
If you are choosing a piece of music that isn't on the repertoire list of your musician or music group, you should always indicate the composer and or/singer most commonly associated with it. This will aid your music group and singers in locating the sheet music for the piece in question. Sheet music is available for most pieces of music. However, if it is an obscure piece of music that is little known, this may not be the case. In these circumstances, your singer and musicians might have difficulty performing it. An audio recording of the music is generally not sufficient for the singer or group to learn it.
You should always contact your musician if you are in any doubt about a piece of music and its suitability for the church ceremony.
