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What Music Do I Need for a Wedding Ceremony?


 

Planning for a wedding can be super stressful and I am sure if you are planning a wedding you can relate! There are so many details to think about that it can be overwhelming, especially, if you are like most people, it is your first time planning planning a wedding.

As a musician, I love performing at weddings and today I am going to share some practical ideas and tips to help you plan the music for your wedding ceremony. 🙂

Prelude Music

When you are busy getting ready to walk down the aisle, your guests begin to arrive. They will mingle with long-lost friends and relatives while choosing a prime seat for the festivities. If your guests don’t know a lot of people, it can be a bit awkward, and no one likes awkward silence. Can you imagine coming into a new space not knowing a lot of people and it is dead silent or you have the privilege of listening in on conversations you wish you never heard? Well here is where your choice of prelude music can set the tone for your day. Instead of awkward silence as your wedding vibe, you can choose a romantic or sentimental vibe to greet your guests. You will typically need to choose between 5 -10 songs to fill a time frame ranging from 20 minutes to 45 minutes.

 

Processional Music

The procession begins when the family begins the walk down the aisle. This can look different for everyone so the number of songs you choose can vary between 2 – 4 songs. You have the option of choosing a song for each group that walks down the aisle or keep it super simple and choose one song for all of the group and one song for the bride. You also have a chance to make this part of your ceremony unique.

Long, long ago in a time far, far away, my husband, who is a Star Wars fanatic asked if he could walk down the aisle to the Star Wars theme. I being the musician, carefully chose the music at my wedding. My childhood piano teacher (she played the piano and sang for my wedding ceremony) also helped me with music selections because, like most of you, it was my first time planning a wedding. Even as a musician, I had questions and I relied on the advice of my piano teacher to guide me through the process because she had performed at weddings numerous times. We also did not have the luxury of the internet to do research by reading blogs or going on YouTube 🤪 So what does this mean for you? You can use this time in the ceremony to personalize it to your taste and personality.

Unity Ceremony or Special Music

The Unity Ceremony is an option that many couples choose to participate in during their ceremony. Some ceremonies include candles. I lit a unity candle at my wedding and it is now tucked away in my closet 🥰, but I had it on display for a while as a young bride and on occasion, I bring it out to renew that special memory. You can also use sand, plants, and even beer or wine to symbolize the two of you becoming one. During this time, you can choose a special song that plays while during the unity ceremony, just remember that this is typically a short ceremony. You can choose something that will play only during this time and end when you are finished or you can have the music continue and the two of you can listen until the song is finished. If you choose not to do a unity ceremony, you can have a musician play or sing a special song that is meaningful to both of you. Or you can do both options! Choose a song for the unity ceremony and choose another song to highlight your love as a couple or as two families become one.

Recessional

Okay, let’s bring this home, literally! The Recessional is your awesome and amazing exit as a newly married couple. You have completed your matrimony ceremony, unity ceremony, and anything else you wanted to add and now it is time to celebrate your union go party! The recessional music can be 1 – 2 songs. You will have a special song played or sung as you are announced to your guests and then happily walk down the aisle together. You can either continue with the same song as your bridal party exits or you can choose a different song for your bridal party. The size of the room and the number of guests will determine how many songs are needed for your recessional.

Wedding Music Checklist

And there you have it! You now know all the parts of your wedding ceremony that will need music. You can use this blog for reference to help in your planning, AND you can also download our “Wedding Music Checklist” so you can be sure not to miss a beat (no pun intended LOL!) If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or message me. Having a plan and a guide will help alleviate some of the stress when it comes to choosing music for your special day. I am here for you if you need me. Happy planning!

Warmly,

Deanna 🙂

 

Download your checklist HERE

Have a question? Leave a comment below or message me at hello@deannalgiron.com

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Hottest Wedding Trends for 2024


Hey there, fabulous trendsetters! 😍

 

I’ve got something exciting to share with you—2024’s hottest wedding trends and fashion-forward ideas. As your go-to event entertainer and style enthusiast, I’m here to make sure your big day and your wardrobe are nothing short of spectacular.

 

Micro Weddings and Elopements:

First up, let’s talk weddings. Picture this: an intimate gathering or a romantic elopement. These smaller, heartfelt celebrations are all the rage. Micro weddings, with fewer than 50 guests, allow couples to focus on their nearest and dearest, creating meaningful moments with less stress. Some even combine elopements with a larger reception for the best of both worlds. It’s a trend that’s gaining popularity, and I’ve had the pleasure of entertaining at many of these special events.

Nontraditional Venues:

Forget the typical wedding venues. I’ve had a blast entertaining at unique locations, from art galleries to rustic warehouses and cozy private homes. Nontraditional venues open up a world of creativity and personalization. So, if you’re thinking about where to host your event, consider these unconventional spaces to bring the party to life!

Statement Bridal Attire:

Now, let’s talk fashion. Bold is beautiful, and that’s a trend I’ve seen in bridal fashion. Couples are embracing colorful wedding dresses, custom-designed suits, and even outfit changes before the reception. The runway buzzes with words like “playful,” “daring,” and “dramatic.” Wedding dress separates, like gloves, neck scarves, and detachable sleeves, are all the rage. As your entertainer, I’m here to ensure your entertainment matches your stylish and unique attire.

 

Weekend-Long Celebrations:

What could be better than one day of celebration? Well, how about a whole weekend? I’ve had the pleasure of entertaining at weekend-long affairs in private country cottages and stunning estates. It’s a commitment, for sure, but it allows for more quality time with your guests. If you’re planning a weekend-long celebration, count on me to keep the energy high and the entertainment unforgettable.

Now, switching gears a bit, let’s dive into some fabulous fashion trends from the

London Fashion Week show. Consider these your style inspo for the upcoming season:

 

Let’s Go Sheer:

Sheer dresses are all the rage, and this fashion style has also made its way into bridal fashion. I have seen many beautiful sheer dresses, especially custom-made dresses created by a designer. I don’t know if I would personally want to wear a sheer wedding dress, but if you are confident to pull it off, go for it! Some dresses look stunning and absolutely beautiful and others, well not so much. I think this trend could be a cool trend if done tastefully, but that is just my opinion.

It’s All About the Cuffs:

Next season is all about statement cuffs. The bigger, the better! And if you can contrast them with a super cinched section over the wrist, you’ll be nailing the trend. It’s the perfect style as we move into full-sleeve-season, and it’s an ideal wedding dress silhouette for winter brides. Along with state cuffs, detachable sleeves are also the rage as well. I love this idea, especially as we head into the winter and fall season. The bride can “stay warm” in her cuffs and detach them when the party starts to heat up!

Code Red:

Red is the shade of the season. so, if you love getting multiple seasons out of your wardrobe, you’re in luck! I have a special attachment to this trend because red is my favorite color! As a young bride, I tried to convince my mom to let me wear a red wedding dress. I actually ended up wearing my mom’s wedding dress (which goes with the vintage trend as well) and she purchased an Asian dress in red as my going-away dress. 

Vintage Glamour Bridal:

Many designers are featuring the dropped-waist bridal style, and it’s absolutely swoon-worthy. Vintage is definitely in this season, so go ahead and search for the style of dress you connect with. Yes, all of these ideas are based on the current trends, but even 23 years later, my mom’s wedding dress fits the trend. The most important thing to remember about the wedding dress is how it makes you feel. I swore that I was going to wear a simple satin A-line dress, but then I tried on my mom’s dress and I was dragging my feet to try it on, I did not think it would be the dress for me, not in a million years! When I put on my mom’s dress, it was an instant affirmation that it was THE ONE. I encourage you to be open and try on different styles, you will never know which style may speak to you. 

 

Adios Brows:

The bleached brow trend is making a bold comeback for spring. It’s all about a natural look with minimal brow definition and glossy skin. You can sneak in a touch of lip balm if you must. But this is definitely a trend I will NOT be following. I just don’t get it, I personally don’t like this look and I don’t understand why this is all the rage, but to each his or her own. I will proudly continue to darken my eyebrows!

 

Deep Hue Floral Chic:

Finally, we have moody blooms. Forget typical spring florals; this trend is all about blacks, deep greens, bold burgundies, and maybe the occasional white for contrast. It’s a grown-up take on florals, and it’s absolutely chic. I love this idea of floral. Not only are colored florals on trend, but florals in general. There is something magical about florals, and I can totally get behind this 2024 trend

 

So, there you have it, trendsetters! Whether you’re planning your dream wedding, hitting the party scene, or revamping your style, these trends are sure to dazzle. Which of these trends do you think you will embrace? Tell me in the comments below.

Warmly,

Deanna the Entertainer and Style Enthusiast 🌟👗💄

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