Congratulations on your engagement! Now it’s time to plan your wedding music. Remember, this is your special day, and your musician should be willing to take the time to hear your ideas and give you suggestions to help make your ceremony the unique and wonderful event you want it to be.

If planning the music for your wedding seems overwhelming, a professional musician will be able to guide you through the process and take care of all the details for you. Whether you have a traditional or nontraditional ceremony, you will want the music to reflect your style. Here are some suggestions to help you find your musician and music.

Start by asking friends and your other wedding vendors, getting recommendations from local music stores and searching the Internet for the type of musician you are seeking. Also, ask the managers of your ceremony or reception site for suggestions. Select a number of musicians to contact. If you can,  hear them perform live. If not, ask for some sample recordings. Some things you should make sure to ask when meeting with your musicians:
 

• Ask for references. Talk to former clients who can verify that the musicians did a great job, and were professional, prompt and responsible.
• Do they provide a free consultation to help you plan your music?
• Do they have a set repertoire or are they willing to learn other songs?
• Do they play the style of music you are looking for?
• Are they willing to accompany vocalists or other instrumentalists if necessary?
• Will they attend your wedding rehearsal?
• What back-up plans can they offer if they are not able to perform for your ceremony?
• Ask to review a sample contract.
• Compare prices. Do they charge by the hour, or by the job? Find out the total cost to you including mileage, set-up fees, rehearsal, practicing with other musicians, learning new music, etc.

Once you find the musician(s) who best represents your wishes, be prepared to provide a deposit in order to secure the date for your wedding.

Deciding the music for your ceremony.
Once you have selected your musician(s), you will want to meet to plan your ceremony music. Your musician(s) should be able to offer advice and provide you with a variety of music from which to choose. Be sure to tell your musician(s) any special song requests. If you are having difficulity selecting your music, try free resources such as the Internet, iTunes (to preview, not to buy), and your area library, which likely has wedding sheet music and sound recordings. Many wedding Web sites have lists of ceremony and reception music, and some allow you to listen to samples. It can sometimes take four to eight weeks to special order music, so it’s important to do this well in advance of your wedding. The musician(s) will appreciate some time to learn the music as well.

Most ceremonies include songs for these moments during the ceremony:

• Prelude Music. Your musician provides music to set the mood while the guests are being seated and waiting for the ceremony to begin.
• Parents and Grandparents Song. Sometimes bridal couples want a special song played when the parents and grandparents are seated.
• Bridal Processional. This song is played as the bride walks down the aisle. It can be a continuation of the bridal-party processional or a totally different piece of music. This music is usually grand and festive. 
• Unity Candle, Rose Presentation, Signing of the Wedding License, or Communion. Music is often performed or sung at these times.
• Recessional. This music is played at the conclusion of the ceremony when the bride and groom make their exit. This music is usually bright and lively.
• Postlude Music. Your musician provides music for your guests to enjoy while the guests are being ushered out.

You’re almost done! There are just a few more details to cover.

1. Does your musician provide his or her own instrument or will they need the instrument available at the ceremony location? What is the sound quality of the instrument? How often is it tuned? Your musician should be taking care of all these details, but you’ll want to make sure.
2. Do you have vocalists that will need accompaniment? Let your ceremony musician know. 
3. Some clergy and churches are selective as to the type of music they allow. Be sure to have this approved by your officiant.
4. Some facilities and churches have sound technicians, and some even require that you hire one for your event. You’ll want to hire a sound technician as soon as possible to insure his/her availability for your event.

Once you've chosen your musician(s), picked your music and covered the details,  you can relax knowing that your musicians will create the perfect setting for your wedding ceremony.