| The Power Of ThreeMaking your wedding | | | | movie The Princess Bride. The title track from |
| ceremony a true original can be as easy as | | | | Cirque du Soleil's "O" is another |
| choosing just | | | | captivating piece that many have fallen in love |
| three special songs. This music is a reflection of | | | | with. "Variations and Fugue On a |
| you, your hopes and your | | | | Theme by Mozart, Op. 132: Variation 7" is a |
| dreams. Seize this opportunity to give your | | | | traditional classical piece that is |
| guests an unexpected surprise | | | | rarely heard at ceremonies. The New Zealand |
| while sharing an important part of yourself with | | | | Symphony Orchestra's version is |
| them.While tradition still has its place, most Brides | | | | breathtakingly elegant.If you're going Classical for |
| and Grooms are now choosing to | | | | the wedding ceremony music, remember that |
| use non-traditional wedding ceremony music. | | | | there |
| Many of the old standbys, such | | | | may be quite a few different versions of many |
| as Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" (Here Comes The | | | | songs. It may take a little |
| Bride), are being replaced with | | | | research to find the perfect one but it is well |
| other alternatives. Those about to wed have | | | | worth the effort.RecessionalThe end of the |
| requested Slow Rock, Love Songs, | | | | ceremony Recessional is a time for joy and |
| Latin Guitar, New Age, Classic 40's Vocals, Pop | | | | celebration. You will |
| Songs, Oldies and just about | | | | walk triumphantly, back up the aisle, for the first |
| everything else.Choosing Your SongsThe first | | | | time as a married couple. As |
| step is just to think of songs you like. You can | | | | you pass by smiling, applauding guests, let the |
| edit your ideas later. | | | | music add an extra highlight to |
| Make a short list of songs that relate to how | | | | this moment. Your Recessional music should be |
| you feel about love, commitment | | | | upbeat and energetic. Again, |
| and a special shared relationship. Feel free to | | | | choices are plentiful. Past requests include |
| consider all options. Once you've | | | | Classical, Rock, Swing and R & B.Songs by Vivaldi, |
| made your list you can then edit it for potential | | | | Harry Connick, James Brown, U2, Barry White, |
| Processional Song candidates. | | | | Frank Sinatra, |
| Remember that in general, a Processional Song | | | | Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Queen, Marvin |
| should have a slow cadence for | | | | Gaye and many others have |
| those walking down the aisle.Choices have | | | | worked to great effect.Where To Look For |
| included songs by Nat King Cole, Sting, Andrea | | | | MusicIf you have a favorite movie soundtrack or |
| Bocelli, Mark | | | | radio station, your perfect song may |
| Cohn, Peter Gabriel, Enya, The Beatles, Shania | | | | be something you have already heard. Next time |
| Twain, Vangelis, Aretha Franklin, | | | | you hear a song that really |
| Van Morrison, Tony Bennett, Edwin McCain, | | | | grabs you, make a note of it.One of the best |
| Vangelis, Faith Hill, Etta James, | | | | places to find unique musical ideas is right in your |
| Sade and Soundtrack Songs. Your choices are | | | | own CD |
| virtually unlimited.We custom edited Van Halen's | | | | collection. Chances are there's a favorite song in |
| "When It's Love" for one Bride who wanted the | | | | there you may have forgotten |
| instrumental part of the song for her | | | | about that would be perfect. Browse through |
| Processional. Another Bride was a huge | | | | your music library and add to |
| Bruce Springsteen fan. She walked down the | | | | your list of possibilities.Do you have a favorite |
| aisle to The Boss classic, "Thunder | | | | artist or concert performance? What was that old |
| Road".If you want to stick to classical music, you | | | | song |
| may decide on something a little | | | | you loved when you were younger?Is there a |
| more creative than the same old thing. Anyone | | | | brand new song you really like? A newer song |
| who's been to a ceremony in | | | | can be a refreshing |
| the last century has probably heard Pachelbel's | | | | change from the status quo. And there is less |
| "Canon In D". | | | | chance anybody else has already |
| Traditionally a string oriented song, there is an | | | | used it for their wedding.Perhaps there is |
| updated version that uses | | | | something in your family heritage you would like |
| flowing synthesizers and ethereal keyboards in | | | | to |
| place of strings. Its | | | | incorporate musically into the ceremony.If you |
| progressive, modern sound sets it apart from | | | | have a special moment in the ceremony for a |
| other versions we've heard. | | | | candle lighting, rose |
| Search for different arrangements or unusual | | | | exchange, remembrance or other tradition, you |
| Classical songs to give your | | | | may want to choose a song to |
| ceremony a unique sound.Here Comes The | | | | be played for this as well.Samples of songs can |
| BrideShould all the songs in your ceremony have | | | | be accessed via your computer on Apple's iTunes |
| a consistent sound or theme? Not | | | | music |
| necessarily. A contrasting style between the | | | | store website (The iTunes program is free and |
| Wedding Party Processional and | | | | works with both Windows based |
| the Bride's song can emphasize this important | | | | and Mac computers) and at Barnes and Noble |
| change. An example of this was | | | | bookstores offer |
| when one couple chose an operatic, Andrea | | | | live listening posts with thousands of artists from |
| Bocelli piece for their Wedding | | | | which to choose.Putting It All TogetherWrite down |
| Party Processional. The song was full of drama | | | | all of your musical ideas and then gradually narrow |
| and grand expression.In stark contrast to this was | | | | it down to your |
| their choice for the Bride's Processional. They | | | | three favorites. The others can be played for |
| decided on the romantic and reflective acoustic | | | | the Prelude- prior to the |
| guitar sound of "The Rain | | | | beginning of the ceremony, while guests are |
| Song" by Led Zeppelin. The pronounced | | | | arriving or later at the |
| difference in song styles increased the | | | | reception.Contrasting music is good and |
| poignancy of the Bride's appearance and the | | | | emphasizes an important change in the |
| entire ceremony.While these songs aren't for | | | | Processional. Be dynamic in your choices and |
| everyone, they reflected this couple's taste and | | | | create a new sound experience |
| preferences. It also serves as a wonderful | | | | for your guests.Take the first step in making |
| demonstration of the power of a | | | | your wedding day truly YOURS by choosing |
| musical style change and original choices.Classical | | | | songs |
| instrumental still has its place. Recently a Bride | | | | that express a bit of who you are. And don't be |
| chose a lesser known | | | | surprised if your guests |
| classical piece for her walk down the aisle. | | | | compliment you on how your ceremony was |
| "Variations on an Original Theme | | | | unlike any other they've been |
| (Enigma Variations) Op. 36" is a fantastic selection | | | | to.-DJ CraigDJ Craig has performed at |
| for this. It's a powerful song | | | | Southern |
| that uses soaring strings and majestic horns to | | | | California weddings and private parties for over |
| slowly build to its peak. We | | | | 15 years. He has been a |
| edited it so that the crescendo of the song | | | | guest speaker at classes on wedding and event |
| timed perfectly with the Bride's | | | | coordination.Craig has been featured in the Los |
| appearance.Another Bride-to-be chose "Once | | | | Angeles Times and has written articles for |
| Upon a Time... Storybook Love" from the | | | | many wedding and party related web sites. |