Live Wedding Music Is Always A Hit!

If you can spend the extra money on live wedding music, do so! Wedding guests love to watch live musicians at wedding ceremonies/ String quartets, harpists, guitarists, flutes, jazz duos, jazz guitarists, bagpipers, organists, trumpets, pianists, opera singers, gospel singers, soloists, and violinists are the most popular live musicians for wedding ceremonies, but really, the sky is the limit as long as the style of music fits into your overall wedding ceremony theme.

Types of Live Wedding Music

String Quartet – A string quartet consist of four instruments: two violins, a viola, and a cello. String quartets are known for their versatility; these ensembles can play almost any type of music and can even adopt pop songs into instrumentals. String quartets are very popular for weddings because it creates the effect of a small orchestra. String Trios and Duos are scaled-down versions of the Quartet.

Organ - If you are getting married in a church, especially a Catholic Church, your only option for wedding ceremony music may be the organ. Not only that, but some churches may require that you use the church's organist, so check with the musical director prior to making any decisions regarding your wedding ceremony music. Even if you had your heart set on a string quartet, organ music invokes tradition and ceremony, as it is often played during weddings, funerals, and christenings.

Trumpet – If you are looking to add some grandeur to your event, consider adding trumpets to your wedding ceremony music to announce the bride, or to announce the couple at the end of the ceremony. Trumpets are very loud and great at capturing the guests’ attention.

Flute - Classical flutes have a soft sound and will add intimacy and an aura of other-worldliness to your wedding ceremony. In addition to the classical flute, contemporary flute music or jazz flute are a more casual alternative

Piano - The piano is an extremely versatile instrument, as it spans seven and a half octaves. Thus, it can play a variety of styles of music. However, pianos are very large and not easily transported to wedding ceremony locations. If your location does not have a piano on site, you can hire a musician to play an electric piano or piano keyboard, but the sound will not be as authentic as a real piano.

Harp - The harp has a sophisticated and elegant sound. Some harpists will play a wide variety of music - classical, contemporary, Celtic, Medieval, and/or Renaissance.

Less common, unique types of live wedding music:

Mariachi Band - Mariachi Bands are very popular for destination weddings in Mexico, South America, and other Spanish-speaking areas, as well as with brides and/or grooms with Hispanic backgrounds. Mariachi Bands are truly unique live wedding musicians that will have your guests talking for years to come!

Steel Drum Band – If you are having a destination wedding or a Caribbean-themed wedding, you will get an “Island Feel” with a steel drum band. Like Mariachi Bands, Steel Drum Bands are very unique and will create a lasting impression.

Bagpipes - Bagpipes have grown in popularity at wedding ceremonies over recent years, as more and more couples without Irish or Scottish backgrounds have fallen in love with their haunting sound. Bagpipes are extremely loud, however, and are best for large churches/venues or the outdoors.

Gospel Singers - Gospel Singers or Gospel Choirs are sometimes brought out as a surprise at the conclusion of the wedding ceremony to sing during the recessional. The most popular song is "Oh Happy Day."

Popular Instrumental Songs For Your Live Musicians

- "Come Away With Me" – Norah Jones
- "Come What May" – Nicole Kidman & Ewan McGregor
- "Unforgettable" – Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
- "Appalachia Waltz" – Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Mark O’Connor
- "The Look of Love" – Dionne Warwick & Burt Bacharach
- "When I’m Sixty Four" – The Beatles
- "Can’t Help Falling in Love" – Elvis Presley
- "Storybook Love" (from "The Princess Bride") – Willy DeVille
- "What A Wonderful World" – Louis Armstrong
- "Wedding Processional" (from "The Sound of Music") – Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein
- "Only Time" – Enya
- "At Last" – Etta James
- "The Vow" – Jeremy Lubbock

For a list of classical/traditional instrumental songs, see classical wedding music.

Common Questions About Live Wedding Music

Where Do I Place My Musicians?

Place them up front in the church or venue because the guests will want to see them play. Obviously you cannot control the weather, but be conscious of the fact that musical instruments are very delicate and sensitive to the elements (i.e., rain, wind, extreme cold or heat, sand, dirt, etc.) Provide your musicians with a comfortable area to play that is sheltered.

How Will I Know What Songs "Go Together" And How Many Songs I Will Need?

Work with your musician to create a playlist. This should be done after you have decided on the order of your ceremony, written your vows, consulted your officiant, etc. Experienced wedding musicians will know instantly how much time is needed for certain songs and what sounds best together.

How Will the Musicians Dress?

Talk to your musician before hiring him/her and explain what style of wedding you are having. Basic black goes with everything. For a very formal wedding, you could request that men wear a tuxedo or at the very least, a suit, and that women wear a formal dress. For more casual events, the sky is the limit. If you are having a themed wedding, you can request that your musician(s) dress to fit the theme. Be sure to include attire specifications in your contract.

What Should be Included in My Contract For Live Wedding Music?

It is important that you list every detail possible in your contract with your wedding musicians to ensure that you are all on the same page. Here are important points for your contract:

1. The names of the musicians expected to play at your ceremony (and names of substitutes if necessary).
2. Date of the wedding, location and address.
3. Ceremony start time.
4. Arrival time for musicians.
5. Amount of time the musicians are expected to perform.
6. Any equipment that you will be supplying, as well as equipment the musicians will supply. This includes music stands, microphones, amplifiers, chairs etc.
7. A list of songs and when to play them.
8. Attire specifications.
9. Fees and overtime rates.
10. Cancellation and refund policy.

Where Do I Find Musicians?

It is always best to hire experienced musicians to play live wedding music. They know how to adapt to any sudden changes in the ceremony, do not need to rehearse, will follow schedules, and will be dressed in proper attire. Ask your friends and family who were recently married if they know of any professional wedding musicians. If all else fails, or if you are unable to afford a professional, consider a family member or friend who plays a musical instrument very well or even a high school or university band member. Be sure that they are familiar with the types and styles of music you want and that you hear them play well ahead of time. If you are not comfortable asking a friend or family member to sign a contract, at least go over all of the key points (attire, arrival time, any equipment needed, etc.).

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