Please note that your entire wedding ceremony must be approved by your minister and should be submitted as soon as you have it ready and no later than one month prior to your wedding. Please do not have it printed until it has been approved.
Music is an important part of a marriage service. Our policy is that music chosen for a wedding should be appropriate for the dignity and importance of the event. Your musicians will be able to assist you in choosing music appropriate for the ceremony. Pre-recorded music is discouraged. A CTK lighting/sound technician is required.
A brief word about solos:
Like everything else in the ceremony, solos should not call attention to themselves but should glorify God and reflect Christian theology. If you need assistance in finding an appropriate solo, your musicians will be able to recommend some fitting pieces of music.
Following are some basic guidelines for planning:
- Processionals/Recessional: Most people select the following for their wedding: one processional for the mothers/families, a second processional for the attendants, a third for the bride and one recessional for everyone. This is the basic music requirement for most weddings.
- Solos: If you have a soloist, some common places for them to sing are as follows: a) at the end of the prelude immediately prior to the seating of the mothers; b) immediately after the seating of the mothers; c) after the presentation of the bride, d) between the readings and e) after the vows/exchange of rings. You are certainly not limited to this but these are simply very common arrangements.
- Prelude/Postlude: Prelude music as the guests are seated is played for 20 minutes before the ceremony. You may suggest some music if you would like, but it is not necessary. For most ceremonies, a postlude will be played at the end of the ceremony after the recessional (after the attendants and family have left.)
Children participating in ceremony are encouraged to sit with their parents after processing. It is recommended that they not carry the “real” ring.
Ushers’ instructions:
- Ushers should arrive at the church one hour before the service unless they have been asked to arrive earlier for photographs.
- Ushers should remind wedding guests whom they observe with cameras that they are not allowed to take flash photographs or videos during the wedding ceremony.
- After the seating of the Mother of the Bride, no one is to be escorted to a seat. Late-comers may use the side aisles to enter quietly and find a place near the back of the church.