Music and Entertainment

Music plays a big part in any wedding and you will need to think carefully about not only what type of music you want but when you want it to be played. Traditionally the bride would enter the church to ‘The Wedding March’ from Lohengrin, the choir would sing hymns during the signing of the register and then both bride and groom would leave the church to Mendellsohn’s Wedding March. However as more and more people move away from traditional style weddings they have also moved away from traditional music. Classical music is taking over from hymns and people are choosing music that is personal to them. You may want music playing as your guests enter and while they are waiting? Something soft and relaxing will also help keep your grooms nerves down.
Remember your wedding day is about celebrating the love you and your partner share and you can make the ceremony as personal as you want to. Pick music that means something to you both, do you have your own song? Is it something you would want playing as you walk down the aisle?
If you a really stuck below are a few popular songs that you may choose to use for your ceremony:

Church:

Love divine, all love excelling

Amazing Grace

Make me a channel of your peace

All things bright and beautiful Civil:

Air (from Suite in D) - Johann Sebastian Bach

Ave Maria - Schubert

Flower Duet from Lakme - Delibes

Ode to Joy – Beethoven

Modern music to consider:

Norah Jones - Come away with me

Damien Rice – The Blowers Daughters

Eva Cassidy – Songbird

Katie Melua – Call off the search

Modern pop music is usually not used during a church service but some churches allow it to be played during the exit but speak to your parish priest to make sure when it is acceptable.
However Hymns are not normally allowed at civil services as the whole point is that a civil service is not a religious ceremony.

Entertainment:

It is now popular to have entertainment other than music at your wedding. Most people don’t want to leave children out of their special day but also don’t want the little darlings running riot. A popular idea for keeping them entertained is to hire an entertainer such as a magician or clown; this type of entertainment will also amuse your older guests.

You could also try a caricature, guaranteed to entertain all your guests as well as giving them a hilarious memento from your special day.
What about having Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt at your wedding? Sounds like a dream but you actually could by hiring look-alikes to attend your reception and mingle with your guests.

If you want to finish your big day with a big bang then why not treat yourself and your guests to a firework display to remember. Most companies will let you choose exactly what you want and even create a display to match your theme.

Or if you would like things to be a little more traditional there are plenty of wedding singers to choose from, just make sure you hear them sing before you book them! Live music is a lovely touch for your reception or walking down the aisle, a quartet or some one playing the harp would be very romantic. You could even hire your musicians for the day and have them play as you walk down the isle, entertain your guests as you have your pictures taken and even play soft background music during your sit down meal, before kick starting your reception!