The first thing to make clear about
music for civil ceremonies is that you will not be allowed religious
music of any kind. However, it is not always clear what ‘religious
music’ actually means! For example, one of the most popular
pieces for a bride’s entrance or exit is the ‘Arrival
of the Queen of Sheba’ by Handel. Because it is actually an
extract from a religious opera, it could be interpreted as being religious
in nature. But since nearly everyone knows the piece out of context,
most registrars will not object to you using it. Confused? Don’t
be. Just make sure that you liase with your registrar in advance when
choosing music for your civil ceremony. Some are more adaptable than
others.
The choice of music suitable for civil ceremonies is endless.
Most people have at least one idea of a piece that might have personal
significance to the bride and groom. Choosing something personal
can give your day an extra special emotion and Bellini Strings always
try to meet your requirements, perhaps with a special arrangement
(at extra cost) of your favourite tune.
Music in a civil ceremony is used in much the same as a church
ceremony, usually in 3 main places : Entrance of the Bride; Signing
of the Register; Exit of bride and groom.
Background music as guests arrive
We usually play a selection of suitable pieces culled from our extensive
repertoire as your guests arrive at the venue, to create the perfect
atmosphere for your day. But any requests can slipped in here too.
Please see our repertoire list.
Entrance of the
Bride
When choosing your music for the big entrance it’s worth
remembering that only part of the piece will actually be heard as
you walk up the aisle. But many of the most popular choices for
the entrance can be adapted ‘to length’ – since
aisles are different from venue to venue.
This music heralds the beginning of the whole ceremony and sets
the mood of the occasion. It shouldn’t be too fast or you’ll
feel obliged to rush down the aisle without enjoying the moment;
conversely, walking very slowly can also be difficult, and your
guests might think you’re milking it anyway! So popular choices
for a civil ceremony entrance are :
Pachelbel Canon
One Day Like This – Elbow
Moon River
Flower Duet – Delibes
Make you Feel My Love
Traditional – Wagner Wedding March
Signing of the Register
This is usually the longest piece of music in the ceremony and often
the most personal, with a piece or song that has significant meaning
to the bride and groom. The signing can take anything between 5 and
10 minutes so Bellini Strings often play more than one piece of music.
When choosing this music, do remember that essentially it is being
played for the entertainment of your guests while you are busy signing!
Of course, Bellini Strings’ experience means that they will
watch proceedings very carefully and finish the music in time for
the end of the signing. Our repertoire list has many suitable
pieces that are popular for the signing of the register. But the
most requested are :
Make you Feel My Love
With or Without You
Chasing Cars
Songbird
Greatest Day
What a Wonderful World
Exit of Bride and Groom
The music that accompanies you as you walk out of the venue together,
passing all your guests. Much of the music chosen for this resembles
the Entrance of the Bride list since it essentially has the same function,
but in reverse. However, it’s always a good idea to choose a
different piece! This time, though, the length of the music is not
important and will generally be longer since it’s nice for the
music to continue once you have left the building, to accompany your
guests as they leave too. Our most popular choices are:
All you need is love
It Must be Love
Whatever – Oasis
Viva La Vida
Signed Sealed Delivered
Don’t stop Believing
Traditional – Mendelssohn Wedding March These are only ideas. Basically
anything goes – as long as it has no religious connection.
We were once asked to play ‘Let’s Call the Whole Thing
Off’ during the signing of a register, and ‘The Bare
Necessities’ for the exit of the bride and groom! Your imagination
combined with our expertise will create the best music selection
for your special day. |