Sweet Sounds
You're probably given lots of thought to the kind of music you'll
incorporate into your ceremony and reception. But have you thought about that music as
an element of your wedding design? Are the instruments and songs you're considering in
harmony with your other wedding elements? Are they creating the energy and climate
that you want? Read on to find these tips for selecting music, and to discover other ways
to use sound as a design tool.
- Choose powerful ceremony music. So you're considering Trumpet Voluntary as your
processional? But is it consistent with Victorian lace gown you've chosen, your garden setting,
and your blushing pink roses? Music can speak powerfully to the overall feeling you're
creating. Bold pieces are most powerful when paired with strong colors in a dramatic setting.
And light, airy pieces can add a graceful subtlety to pastels and simple decor. Of
course, if you have to have Trumpet Voluntary, go for it. But before you book six coronet
players, consider how lovely a harpist, a string quartet, or a classical guitar and flute could
be performing an arrangement of the same piece.
- Set the tempo of your reception. You can significantly influence the behavior
of your guests by harnessing the power of music. Ask your bandleader to play a hushed
standard, and listen as guests lower the tone of their conversations and stand in intimate
groups. Have the band strike up a cross-generational upbeat classic and watch grandmothers
and teens alike grab a partner and head for the dance floor. As you are crafting the flow
of your reception, work with your bandleader to select songs that will create a mood consistent
with each activity.
- Use natural sounds. Pay attention to the natural sounds of your
site. Are you getting married in a ballroom overlooking the ocean? If so,
consider not masking the sound of waves. Instead, throw open the windows
for the cocktail hour, and have a flautist play light music that compliments
the natural sound. Having an evening wedding in a Southern Garden? Consider
the cicadas local color rather than a nuisance. You might even consider
adding a note in the program that says "The two of us, our families and
the Georgia cicadas welcome you."
- Let them make noise. Let's face it. Human beings like to make noise. Give your guests
an opportunity to participate in the event. Give them tiny bells with a little tag instructing
them to ring the bells as you enter the reception hall.
NEXT: Tempting to the Touch...
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