During your wedding ceremony, the music is important-it sets the mood for your guests, helps transition between different elements of the ceremony and keeps everything flowing smoothly. A quartet or ensemble of different instruments can set a romantic mood and can provide the music for multiple aspects of your wedding, such as the processional, the prelude or to accompany singers.
Every wedding budget is different and each couple has a different taste as far as what songs or instruments they prefer. Mary Somogyi from Flutes Alive says that this is an important part of how they work with couples. 'Some quartets are contracted together and only play as a group. We offer flutists, pianists and vocalists on our staff, and we also have contacts with other musicians such as harpists or strings if couples would request them. We can send duos, quartets or any combination of instruments and vocalists couples would like," she says. Somogyi also adds that 90 percent of couples choose two or three flutes, either with or without a keyboardist. Instrumental ensembles usually provide the music for the entire ceremony and can rehearse with family members or friends who will sing in the ceremony. It is also important to consider the location of the wedding. Some instruments are not compatible for outdoor weddings and others may be too large (harps, for example) for a small, intimate wedding.
Hiring a professional group of musicians can take some stress out of planning and is much easier than coordinating different family members or friends to play. Try to hear a CD of the performers you choose or perhaps to attend a wedding at which they will be playing to make sure they are right for your ceremony. Whether you choose flutes, organists, harps or strings, an instrumental ensemble can provide a professional sound that sets a beautiful tone for your wedding.
