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Guide to Wedding Music
James A. Weinberg, B. Mus., M.M.E.
Choirmaster-Organist
Holy Cross Anglican Church, Franklin TN
Home 371-5856 | Office 343-8361 | Mobile 268-2296
e-mail: james.a.weinberg@vanderbilt.edu
This guide describes the services I offer when you contract with me to provide music for your wedding. This information should be understood in combination with the Wedding Policy guidelines obtained from the church office. Please share this with your wedding coordinator to ensure a smooth rehearsal and ceremony.
Consultation
A couple months before your wedding, let's meet at the organ to audition pieces from my repertoire. At the consultation session, plan to choose pre-service music for the gathering time prior to the ceremony—including seating of the mothers—plus any solos, congregational hymns, or special pieces desired (e.g., for communion).
The bridesmaids’ processional most often used is The Prince of Denmark’s March {aka Trumpet Voluntary} by Jeremiah Clarke. The traditional wedding march is Wagner's Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin, commonly known as "Here Comes the Bride." The traditional recessional is Felix Mendelssohn's Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream, also known as the theme from "The Newlywed Game." These latter two are secular and come from works based on mythological themes; alternative pieces, just as suitable for the occasion, may be considered during the consultation.
The couple can greatly assist the process by listening to classical and sacred recordings prior to the consul-tation to identify the style of music which most appeals to their tastes. Specific composers and periods (such as "Schubert" and "Romantic") and names of works (such as "Ave Maria") will make the consultation session more productive. Feel free to bring sheet music, tapes or CDs of favorite songs, and programs from other weddings. I can also loan you tapes with popular pieces to choose from. Sheet music for specially requested songs must be purchased and supplied to the organist at least two weeks prior to the ceremony, and will remain the property of the bride and groom. Discretion should be used when requesting love songs and other secular music, keeping in mind the sacramental nature of the ceremony. The officiating priest can offer guidance on this subject as well.
Rehearsal
It is essential that each group gets to have a walk-through with their own theme music. This applies to the seating of the mothers, gathering of groomsmen, bridesmaids' processional, bridal march, recessional, and escorting out of mothers. Missed entrances and awkward moments occur when people do not recognize their musical cues.
Fees Payment of fees is appreciated in advance; this is most easily taken care of at the rehearsal.
I offer 6 packages ranging between a basic "walk-in" and full-service:$160.00 Ceremony only
$320.00 Consultation, rehearsal, and ceremony
Rates for additional practice sessions with a soloist whom you supply, or for playing piano at the reception are negotiable. As your keyboardist, I can also subcontract to obtain professional vocalists or instrumentalists on your behalf at no charge.
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