Whether your wedding is a simple event,
with a few friends or 300 guests, planning
is important work! Many brides are not sure
what musical selections they want, or where
the pieces should be positioned in the ceremony,
and part of sunshine harpist's job is to
assist you with that. It is my goal to relieve
you of all wedding music worries.
Wedding
Music
The
harp will lend an ambience of elegance,
romance and serenity to this very special
event in your lives. Brides comment
that the harp brings a unique and memorable
beauty that no other instrument can
approach. You can also request photos
(bride & groom) with the harp to
add to your picture memories of your
wedding day.
Whether
you need just a little assistance, or
lots of guidance, Carole is just a phone
call or email away:
* Carole is located
in San Diego and serves the greater
San Diego area and San Bernardino County.
Wedding Music
Ceremony Outline
Confused
where the music goes? It helps to see it
in black and white. Of course, your ceremony
can be arranged and individualized, however
you choose - but there are four general
parts of the ceremony where music is traditionally
played:
I arrive early to get set up and make sure
my harp is properly tuned. Then I start
playing even though there may be nobody
there. This creates a relaxing and perfect
atmosphere for the wedding party and guests
to walk into. Harp music can be very soothing,
a quality much appreciated at weddings where
there can be a lot of tension.
The
processional music for the entering parents,
attendants, bride and groom, any special
music during the ceremony, recessional,
and postlude music at the end as the guests
are leaving. Usually just one song from
each category is played for processional
and recessional. Postlude can be several
pieces of music depending on the amount
of guests and if reception line going out
from the ceremony.
Music can be substituted
with other songs not listed here as long
as the request is made in advance.
Prelude
This
is the time I play while the guests are
being seated, approximately 30 to 60 minutes
of music. It sets the mood (much as the
flowers, decorations, and location as a
whole do) as people arrive, and is usually
soft background music--not too lively or
overstated.
Sometimes
brides specify some of the pieces that are
to be played during this time (such as during
the seating of the parents and grandparents),
but generally prefer not to pick out all
30 to 60 minutes of music. It is often best
to let me know if there's any broad type
of music you do or don't want included,
and within those parameters I'll do my best
to select pieces that fit the mood and setting
you've created. Classical music is recommended
if you like to keep the ceremony formal,
otherwise, I include romantic love songs
and contemporary pieces.
Music for mothers (and bridesmaid)
Same
song or different songs can be played for
mothers and bridesmaid depending on the
size of the party and location. When the
party and the wedding site are small, I
recommend having the same music for mothers
and bridesmaid.
Processional
Sometimes
a specific piece of music is played for
the mothers. Other times the mothers and
bridesmaid use the same processional music
depending on the size of the party and location.
Mostly the processional is played while
the wedding party and bride walk down the
aisle. If the wedding party is large, some
brides opt to have 2 pieces--one for the
wedding party, and one for the entrance
of the bride (such as the traditional 'Here
Comes the Bride'). For church weddings,
some brides even choose to have the harpist
play the wedding party processional and
have the organist play the wedding march
for the bride.
Generally, pieces that make the best processionals
are pieces that can be performed at a walking
tempo and that can ended at various points
during the performance. This is to accommodate
the differences in how many people are in
your wedding party, the length of the distance
they have to travel, and the speed at which
they walk. (You don't want to have to wait
5 minutes for the music to end once the
bride has reached the altar).
When
the bride is ready for her entrance, someone
gives me a cue and I start the processional.
This can be "Here Comes the Bride"
or "Trumpet Voluntary." One nice
thing about the harp is how it can take
a piece that may be considered old-fashioned
or cliché, and give it new life.
Processional
(C. Artish) — A contemporary
piece that sounds like the wedding march
but with a less traditional flavor to
the piece.
Canon in D,
by Pachelbel — A commonly
used piece, and one I recommend highly.
It sounds great on the harp, and can be
easily tailored any length necessary.
Its mood is gentle and flowing.
Jesus,
Joy of Man's Desiring, by J.S. Bach
— Commonly used as a processional,
this piece is is gentle and flowing and
has religious meaning.
Bridal Chorus
(Here Comes the Bride), by Wagner —
This is a traditional wedding march which
works on the harp. It can also be used
for the entrance of the bride only. Its
mood is majestic.
Wedding March,
by Mendelssohn — This is the other
traditional wedding march. It also works
on the harp and can be used solely as
the bride's music. Its mood is grand and
majestic.
Lady
Athenry, by O’Carolan— This is traditional Irish
piece (celtic). It is gently and flowing
with a lilt.
Hartes Ease
— A Renaissance piece that
is played grandly.
Recessional
The
recessional music is played as the bride
and groom, wedding party, and wedding
officiate walk back out down the aisle.
The music is usually upbeat and celebratory,
and does not have to be very long.
Wedding
March, by Mendelssohn — This
is another processional that works as
a recessional. It's a good piece for giving
the ceremony a traditional feel.
Trumpet Tune,
by Purcell — Another traditional
wedding piece that works on the harp.
Trumpet Voluntary,
by Purcell — A traditional
wedding piece which works on the harp.
It heralds forth the newly wedded couple
like a fanfare.
Planxty Irwin,
by Sir Charles Cooteare —
A lively Irish pieces by O’Carolan.
Planxty Irwin being more grand and Sir
Charles Coote being more light and merry.
La Volta A lively Renaissance piece.
Postlude
The
postlude music is played immediately after
the recessional as the guests leave their
seats. Postlude music is not always needed,
but if the guests are leaving slowly (particularly
if the wedding party is greeting each
guest in a reception line on the way out),
it is nice to fill the time with upbeat,
celebratory music.
Cocktail Hour/Reception
I
can also play for cocktail hour and/or
reception. This is recommended to small
wedding parties, or those who like to
have intimate and quiet gathering during
the meal. Additional Wedding Music - $65.00/hr.
– This would include receptions
or dinner music.
Don't forget music under the special scripture
or readings, during the candle-lighting
or ring exchange ceremony. Would you like
a special song while the mothers of the
bride and groom are escorted to their
seat? The harp sounds beautiful in these
spaces, and the Ceremony Outline page
will help you understand and place these
parts of the ceremony, and outline where
the music goes.
Repertoire
List - Three pages of musical
selections to choose. Styles are traditional,
classical, sacred, and contemporary.
Handy
Check Sheet - the couple can
fill in their musical selections on
this handy form.
Christian Ceremonies
I have a large repertoire
of hymns that you may wish to include
in your ceremony.
Other Religions and Ethnic Cerimonial Music
I
am quite willing to expand my repertoire
in order to make your ceremony exactly
what you want it to be. You may have to
provide the music, but if it can be arranged
for harp I will do so.
For Consultations,
bookings and information, please contact:
Confused
where the music goes? It helps to see it
in black and white. Of course, your ceremony
can be arranged and individualized, however
you choose - but there are four general
parts of the ceremony where music is traditionally
played: 
Sometimes
a specific piece of music is played for
the mothers. Other times the mothers and
bridesmaid use the same processional music
depending on the size of the party and location.
Mostly the processional is played while
the wedding party and bride walk down the
aisle. If the wedding party is large, some
brides opt to have 2 pieces--one for the
wedding party, and one for the entrance
of the bride (such as the traditional 'Here
Comes the Bride'). For church weddings,
some brides even choose to have the harpist
play the wedding party processional and
have the organist play the wedding march
for the bride.
I
can also play for cocktail hour and/or
reception. This is recommended to small
wedding parties, or those who like to
have intimate and quiet gathering during
the meal. Additional Wedding Music - $65.00/hr.
– This would include receptions
or dinner music.