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Colonial Williamsburg Bride Chooses Non-Traditional Music for her Ceremony

Maurita and Lucas wanted something “different”…

She didn’t want the “white dress” and they didn’t want “fuddy-duddy” music.  They wanted to be DIFFERENT! I was happy to oblige.

Wedding Ceremonies, which are, as they should be, the “serious” part of a wedding celebration, are often really boring musically.
I haven’t had a bride ask for “The Bridal Chorus” (from the 1850 opera “Lohengrin” by Richard Wagner) in years.
Brides tend to eschew this choice because it seems OLD. Little do they know that in the original opera, the marriage did not have a happy ending,
which is a far better reason for them to choose another song.

Many brides stay within the “status quo” and choose a variation of “Canon in D Major” to walk down the aisle.
It’s a beautiful song, and I love it…no harm, no foul. And…there are a gazillion recordings of this tune.
Brides can choose different instrumentations or different interpretations; whatever…nonetheless, their choice is still somewhat “traditional”.

Non-Traditional Wedding Ceremony Music

What about the brides and grooms who unequivocally want non-traditional music?
They are not particularly religious and they are not getting married in a church. What are the options musically?
Of course, the broad but simple answer is anything, but where do they start? How do they decide?
Today’s brides and grooms are often trying to find ceremony music that truly represents them and their personalities.

One fun alternative that has supplied a plethora of options is a group called “Vitamin String Quartet”.
You can find them on iTunes. They record string quartet versions of modern music.
Think of their repertoire, as the Opus your grandmother never knew existed.

Pick a Signature Band, Musician or Musical Group for your Ceremony Music

Of course, if you want to get really fancy….pick a signature band, just like you pick a signature drink.

Several years ago, I did a wedding where the musical group “Queen” was the preferred artist for every song chosen for the ceremony.
There was an additional level of frivolity for the wedding guests and me because we knew that the bride had “two dads” (meaning she was raised by two men in a committed relationship)

Here is the musical program for the ceremony:

Seating of the Mothers: “Somebody to Love” by Queen

Groom’s Entrance: “Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy” By Queen

Bridesmaid’s Entrance: “Crazy Thing Called Love” by Queen

Bridal Entrance: “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen

Recessional: “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen

The choice to have music that was uniquely them and completely NON-TRADITIONAL suited this couple perfectly!
They were quirky and fun and walked their own path. It was an amazing choice and an amazing day!

Professional Advice: Don’t let “old school” musical traditions stifle your wedding day.
Embrace the new…take chances….and let your ceremony music be as unique as you and your beloved.

Off-Beat Bride in Williamsburg, Virginia

Congratulations on your creativity, Maurita & Lucas!!!!

 

The above article was written by Liz Daley for her monthly column, “A Passion for Performance” on ProMobileDJ.com.
Liz Daley is the WED® Guild President and an Accredited Bridal Consultant with The Association of Bridal Consultants