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From the first resounding chord to the last swinging beat, the music at your wedding ceremony should enhance the mood you are trying to create.

A large, formal, traditional marriage calls for sacred or classical arrangements, usually featuring an organ, trained soloist, choir or a combination of the three.

A relaxed or informal celebration is generally lighter in spirit and may incorporate congregational singing, a folk group, a string quartet, an Irish harp, an organ or piano.

Before making any decisions on music or musicians, find out from your officiant what guidelines must be followed and at what places during the ceremony music is appropriate.

Your officiant may suggest a resident musician, choir or organist who has played at many weddings and knows the acoustics of the setting well. This can be an excellent resource but, before you decide, attend a service where he or she is playing. There's no better way to judge one's professionalism and style than to hear them in person.

If you decide to hire an outside musician or group, get permission from your celebrant first. In some cases restrictions may apply. If your budget is tight, you may wish to rethink your decision altogether as there is usually a fee which must be paid to the resident organist regardless of whether or not they play at your wedding.

There are many ways to bring music into your celebration, the following are the traditional moments:

This is an edited extract from
The Irish Wedding Book by Kim McGuire,
Wolfhound Press Publishers.