Music to enhance your mood or theme
Music plays an influential part in creating mood and supporting theme in wedding plans. Whatever your wedding goals, you can enhance them by using carefully chosen music-- before and/or during the ceremony, and/or during the reception. This is not to suggest that you must stick completely to one era or style in all things. Any mood, theme or "personality" you use for your wedding plans should be a guide to help you stay focused. You need not be a "slave" to the idea at the expense of all other considerations-- because there always ARE many considerations.
To create a special mood, every song needn't be a "wedding" or "love" song, necessarily, especially if you have instrumentals played. As long as you stick to certain tempo selections (say, waltz and/or ballad), you should get a nice effect.
To reinforce the theme to those who may not recognize the music, list the songs (or just the general theme) in your wedding program, on a placard near the stereo system (if you use recorded music) or have the band leader/DJ/MC mention the theme or mood for which the music was chosen.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
In my book, A Bride's Touch: A Handbook of Wedding Personality and Inspiration, I discuss music selection in greater depth. When the music you will use for your wedding is different from the music you usually listen to, I suggest recorded music as an easy way to research and obtain it. Often you can find several songs you like on a single album-- either by a single artist, from a soundtrack or on a compilation album.
One of my favorite examples of this is Shelley Phillips' "The Fairie Round" , a lovely mix of traditional and classical pieces played on instruments including flute, oboe, cello and dulcimer.
From Chapter 22, Selecting Ceremony Music:
A couple planned an intimate wedding at an old stone chapel. They wanted to create a magical and imaginative wedding with a medieval or Renaissance atmosphere.... For their music they selected...Shelley Phillips... The Fairie Round.... For their processional they chose "The Ashgrove" and for their recessional, "Chanter's Tune". From the remainder of the album they were able to find over 30 minutes of music which they used both as pre-wedding atmosphere and as reception background.
The Fairie Round offers other wedding options as well. Her rendition of Pastorale starts with a lovely bell introduction and quiet peacefulness that would be a good attention-getter for a transitional time in the ceremony or reception. I'd love to see it used to introduce the mothers when they are escorted to their seats. Since they are the last "guests" to be seated, their entrance is a signal that the ceremony is about to begin. Her Kopanitsa/Trugnal Momko would make a rousing and unusual recessional.
One of the things I like most about this album is its versatility. Not only is it a perfect accompaniment for a period-themed wedding, it has a timeless grace which makes it equally suitable for a contemporary affair. Its crystalline quality makes it lovely background music at Christmas, but it also has a quiet joy that seems just right for spring.
Can you tell I love this album? I do! I recommend it often and enthusiastically because it is well worth recommending.
If this couple had known about Shelley Phillips' companion album, "Pavane", they would have had even more interesting options. I especially love the tracks, Salley Gardens and Pavane and Galliard. The latter track has an interesting horn intro, then two and a half minutes of lovely upbeat music.
You can find both "The Fairie Round" and "Pavane" -- as well as a number of other fine albums from a variety of acoustic music styles-- at Gourd Music.
Another of fine Gourd album, "Dream of the Manatee" by Neal Hellman and Joe Weed, is also well worth investigating. Couples might especially enjoy the title track, Dream of the Manatee, Solomon's Dream, the haunting theme from The Dark Island television program, and my favorite track of all, A Song for Lori.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The following are some other examples of groups of songs that create a musical mood.
Movie music or movie love themes-- I have seen this discussed by a number of couples on-line, and it can be an easy and fun way to enhance certain weddings and receptions. When we associate music with a film or play, it often has an even stronger effect than the same song would when only heard on the radio. You might want to narrow the theme a little so you aren't combining movie music from Pulp Fiction with music from Fiddler on the Roof-- but it depends on the effect and atmosphere you want to create. Narrowing down to movie love themes , for instance, still leaves a wide range, but helps keep tempo and theme more unified. Selections could include songs as diverse as the examples listed below, or be confined to movies of a certain type or time period.
"Love is a Many Splendored Thing" (from the movie of the same name, 1955)
"Call Me Irresponsible" (from Papa's Delicate Condition, 1963)
"It Only Takes a Moment"(from Hello, Dolly)
"For All We Know" (from Lovers and Other Strangers, 1970)
"Evergreen" (from A Star Is Born, 1976)
"Up Where We Belong" (from An Officer and a Gentleman, 1982)
"After All" (from Chances Are)
"(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" (from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves)
"I Cross My Heart" (from Pure Country, 1992)
Western -inspired ballads-- A recently married couple had their wedding outdoors at a historic farm. The men wore western detailed tuxedos jackets and vests with black jeans and boots; the bride's gown had a silhouette reminiscent of the late 1800's, although the fabric and detailing was quite contemporary. They selected contemporary country music played by a DJ for their barbecue- style reception. To create a slightly different effect during the reception, or to create the mood pre-ceremony, they could have chosen a range of classic western-inspired music-- either from recordings or played live. For instance:
"The Grand Canyon Suite"
"Buttons and Bows"
"High Noon"
"Shenandoah"
The "Hill Country" theme
The theme from "High Chaparral"
Music from a particular era-- Since music says a lot about the time in which it is popular, using all (or mostly) music from a single era will create a strong mood at your wedding and/or reception. Whether your goals are best met with traditional Celtic, barbershop, big band, 1950's, 1960's, or the music of some other era, "period" music can be a fun and effective way to control your wedding ambiance.
Cinderella / fairy tale/ storybook theme-- This type of theme is currently quite popular. Couples seem drawn to the romance of it, and brides, of course, love the clothing and other detailing.
"A Dream is a Wish" and "So This is Love" from Disney's "Cinderella".
"Carousel Waltz" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical, "Carousel".
"Cinderella, Stay in My Arms" popularized by Guy Lombardo and Glenn Miller.
"Cinderella's Fella" from the film, Going Hollywood, and later sung by Marion Davis.
"Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful" and " A Lovely Night" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical, "Cinderella".
"Sleeping Beauty", "Nutcracker Suite" and "Swan Lake" by Tchaikovsky.
"Somebody" (Brooks/Warren), the love theme from the Jerry Lewis movie, "Cinderfella".
"Storybook Love" by Willy de Ville or other music from "The Princess Bride" soundtrack.
"When you Wish Upon a Star" from Disney's "Pinocchio" soundtrack.
* * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * *
Have fun using music to enhance your own wedding!