As in a traditional church wedding service, music can play a significant role in a civil ceremony, imparting a sense of occasion and an appropriate level of solemnity balanced with an expression of the joy of the event as a celebration.
Secular Music
The main difference between a church service and a civil ceremony is, unsurprisingly, the religious content of the former and the strict avoidance of it in the latter, and this is reflected in the respective musical possibilities. Hymns are not permissible in a civil ceremony, but secular songs or instrumental items can serve as substitutes if desired.
Key Points In The Ceremony
The three most important points during the ceremony at which music can play a part are the same as for a church service, viz. the bridal procession; the signing of the register; and the recessional, when the newlyweds are received by their guests. Music can also be used to create a welcoming atmosphere as guests arrive and settle themselves before the ceremony begins, and again after the recessional, when the entire wedding party usually moves to a different room (or outside in favourable weather) for photographs and a champagne reception.
Appropriate Style Of Music
You may be in the fortunate position of being able to call upon the services of family or friends who can play musical instruments or sing at your wedding ceremony, otherwise you will need to hire them. Think carefully about what style of music you would like - classical (harpist, pianist or string quartet, for example), jazz or folk (guitar/vocal, flute perhaps) or a more modern popular idiom. Especially if you are bringing in professional musicians, ask them to stay on and play for the entertainment of your guests during the drinks reception, or even for the wedding breakfast which traditionally follows.
Acceptable Choices
You may have specific choices of ceremony music for the three principal elements outlined above. If so, discuss them beforehand with the Registrar. Generally, pretty much anything goes so long as there is not a central religious theme, especially if the particular piece is to be sung rather than merely played instrumentally. For instance, "Ave Maria" might be allowed if played by a string quartet, but not if sung by a soprano. Registrars vary in their interpretation of what is and what is not acceptable, so early consultation is a good idea in order to avoid possible later disappointment.
Appropriate Choices Of Music
Ideally, the music for the bridal procession should be fanfare-like, timed to fit as precisely as possible with the bridal party reaching their positions ready for the ceremony to begin. Obviously depending on the length of the room and the size of the bridal party, this usually needs to be quite a short piece, or one that can be satisfactorily "cut" at a suitable juncture. The music for the recessional should be triumphant and can be longer, allowing for the entire wedding congregation to leave the room (often slowly) en route to the reception area. A further piece can be held in reserve to cover this episode, if necessary. Music during the signing of the register should perhaps be of a more reflective and incidental nature, and be of sufficient length to allow for photographs to be taken at this stage: this can take quite a few minutes, so again it might be useful to have a further piece in reserve if occasion demands.
If you are unsure what music to choose, think of the character expressed by pieces such as "Bridal March" from Lohengrin (Wagner), or Pachelbel's "Kanon in D" for the bridal procession, and then "Wedding March" from A Midsummer Night's Dream (Mendelssohn) or Purcell's "Trumpet Tune" for the newlyweds to march down the aisle together as man and wife. These pieces "describe" what is happening, and that is the most important function of music during a wedding ceremony.
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