Some tips on hiring wedding musicians and bands for your matrimonial music

When hiring wedding musicians it is important to follow the same rules as hiring any other contractor - ask them what they can do for you, your matrimonial music and importantly - ask them for evidence. That evidence might be a demo disk of wedding music, video or website with some samples of them playing on, or they may invite you along to an event at which they are playing.

When hiring musicians for a church ceremony or civil partnership ceremony, such as a trumpeter or organist it's important that they are familiar with the structure of the ceremony - some can be confusing and even experienced musicians may not be familiar with how things are done in a particular church. If there is any doubt  make sure that the person leading the ceremony can explain and signpost when the music is required.

Remember to have someone communicate with the musicians before the ceremony. Let them know if the bride is going to be late, or if they are taking photographs outside - they have to play prelude music until she arrives. Once she has arrived and is ready to come down the aisle, make sure that the musicians know. Often the musicians may be located in the Choir area above the entrance to the church - they may not be able to actually see if she is there or not! 

When employing a band for your reception, it is important to make sure that the wedding co-ordinator at the venue knows the following:

• How many musicians will be playing?
• How many power supplies will be needed?
• What time they will be arriving to set up?
• How much space will the band need?

Ask if a room can be available for the musicians to get changed in and relax between sets and if the band is playing all night it is usual to provide a meal and something to drink.

The function band will need space near to the dance floor - let the bandleader know if there is a concern over space available or when they will be able to get access to the venue.

A band is only going to play for the length of time it is contracted to play for, normally a series of forty-five minute sets, so make sure you know when you will want the band to start and finish.

Ask the bandleader how they would like to be paid - if they prefer cash try and accomodate so that the individual band members can be paid on the night.

The Performing Rights Society classes weddings as private functions, so your venue will not need to worry about a permit for live music.

Remember to find all the advice you need as well as direct contacts with musicians at http://www.matrimonialmusic.co.uk

Martimonial Music and civil ceremonies

There are certain very important pre-requisites to your music at your civil wedding or partnership ceremony. Most importantly, there can be no music that is in any way religious in nature, or has any religious words in it. 
This is what the General Register Office says:

“Although you cannot incorporate any religious content into a civil marriage ceremony, you may be able to arrange to have individual touches such as non-religious music and/or readings, and for the wedding to be videoed. The superintendent registrar at the register office for the district in which you intend to marry will be able to tell you more about the options available."

If you are getting married, check with your superintendent registrar and check out the General Registrar’s website at:

http://www.gro.gov.uk 

Also worth checking in advance are the facilities that are available in your desired wedding venue. If you were planning on an organist for example, then arrangements have to be made for an instrument and amplification to be set up in the correct location prior to the service. Always check with the wedding co-ordinator at your wedding venue that they know they will have musicians at the ceremony. 

It is possible, though highly unusual, that the Superintendent Registrar will not allow live music in Registry Office ceremonies. You will normally be allowed recorded music. Check with the Superintendent Registrar in charge of your wedding. 

As the civil ceremony is a lot shorter than the religious ceremony, there is less music needed. The hymns are obviously not allowed, although non-religious congregational's could be sung, although this would be unusual in a civil ceremony. 

For your civil ceremony you may decide to have music for the following parts of the service: 
 

• Prelude
• Processional
• Signing of the register
• Recessional

Our suggestions are mostly "traditional" classical wedding music. However, in a civil ceremony anything goes, as long as it has no religious connotation. Feel free to have jazz, pop or folk tunes - whatever you want. Remember though, all the music must be approved by the Superintendent Registrar. 

If you have a favourite love song, then during the Signing of the Register would be a perfect time to hear it, perhaps played by a harpist, maybe your favourite jazz tune played by a piano player. Or maybe a Scottish reel by a bagpiper? 

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