Music at a wedding is often one of the last things the happy couple want to think about. There's the dresses, the flowers, the order-of-service and the biggest headache of all is wondering where everyone is going to sit.

Music nearly always comes after all of these, but it can, and often does, play a very important part at a wedding.

How many brides would dream of their perfect wedding without having any music playing while they walk down the aisle or once the ceremony is finished and the bride and groom are husband and wife?

Choose your musicians carefully and think about what sort of instruments you would like to have and what sort of music you would like them to play for you and your guests.

Most 'wedding musicians' are seasoned pros and have played at hundreds of weddings in the past. They need little direction and will have a selection of pieces which they know are popular.

You might consider and organist during the ceremony. They are often resident organists at the church (if you're getting married in a church) or from a church nearby.

They can generally play suitable music while your guests arrive, when you walk down the aisle and once the ceremony is finished, but you'll be stuck for something during your drinks reception, whcih is where the string quartet steps in.

String quartets are the most suitable and most requested musicians for weddings.

It's not difficult to understand why - they are versatile and can move from ceremony venue to reception venue without hassle.

Of course, they can also play hymns very easily and cater for your guests arriving for the ceremony and all other parts of the ceremony.

They can play loud or quiet depending on how many guests you have - it may be a small reception and so not much noise from people speaking. Also, they have a huge repertoire and it's not just classical music. They often play a mixture of classical, pop, easy listening, jazz and much more

You may decide to hire a singer or a harp / clarsach player. A very nice option and very relaxing to listen to, but once again, slightly limited in repertoire which would appeal to everyone.

After your meal when everyone's had a few drinks and they're all ready for a dance, you could hire a ceilidh band or a disco. Both are good fun but a ceilidh band is wonderful for getting everyone on the dance floor and joining in. Discos can also be great fun but make sure you supply the d.j. with a list of requested songs that you'd like to be played during the evening.

Prices will vary depending on which musicians you decide to hire a single musician such as a harp / clarsach player or trumpet would be less to hire than a string quartet. But, of course, there are four people in a string quartet and they all need to be paid, so they would cost more. Prices will run from about £60 up to £600

Article written by Russell Bartholemew Select Strings © 2006

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