by Len Morse

Created on: September 29, 2008   Last Updated: May 14, 2009

The wedding - a public display of love, devotion, and commitment to your betrothed in front of everyone you've ever known. For most blissful brides and grinning grooms, it is their crowning achievement, their best life moment. To help create these special memories, most couples know that hiring live musicians to perform at their wedding ceremony is a treat, both for them and for their guests. This article comes from the experience of performing at many different weddings.

== Wedding Soundtrack ==

Music plays a big part in the character of your ceremony - it is your wedding soundtrack. Most couples make use of the pipe organ, violins or other strings, trumpets or other brass, maybe a flute or two, or perhaps a clever combination of any of the above.

Some couples are extremely traditional, using Klezmer music in a Jewish wedding, for example. Others are musicians themselves, and actually perform during their own wedding! More contemporary music lovers might program tunes from a Broadway show or a favorite jazz composer.

== Outdoor Music ==

If your ceremony is in a church or cathedral, the echo will help make the music elegant and joyful, no matter who is playing. However, if your wedding is outside, you might have to deal with temperature, wind, and extraneous sounds.

Consider using louder instruments that carry well, such as those from the brass family. There is nothing wrong with flutes, clarinets, or violins, but they are not built for sound projection, and you will need more players to get the same volume as a brass player. On the other hand, if you truly prefer strings or woodwinds to brass, there's nothing holding you back.

It is up to you and your betrothed to choose wedding music that reflects your musical wishes for the day. So, not only will you pick the pieces, instruments, and styles, but you should also choose a venue that allows the music to shine through, accompanying your wedding's stunning visuals!

== Communicate ==

Professional musicians will do their utmost to perform exactly the way you want. However, soon-to-be-newlyweds and wedding planners must remember that the musicians you hire should still be kept "in the loop" to avoid any miscommunication before and during the ceremony. This will allow them to prepare properly and to concentrate on creating a beautiful musical backdrop by playing the right tunes at the right times.

At the very least, you should give them three basics: The names and order of the pieces you want them to play,

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