Opting for a civil ceremony rather than a religious one is becoming increasingly popular these days. It allows for flexibility with everything from the vows you say, to readings and importantly (for the sake of this post), the music you choose. At face value, this sounds great, however, with so many songs to choose from, how do you decide on the music you want to hear and how it’s played?
Before we get to the ins and outs of civil ceremony music options, it’s important to note that there are certain laws governing what you can and can’t do if you choose this option.
- Firstly, the ceremony must take place at a registry office or at a venue approved by the local council. You must hire a registrar to conduct the ceremony and you need at least 2 witnesses.
- Secondly, any readings, songs or music you choose cannot have any religious references, so no readings from religious books, hymns or anything you’d likely hear in a place of worship.
Luckily for you, most songs and pieces of music aren’t religious so you have a dizzying array of songs to choose from!
There are four parts of the ceremony that lend themselves perfectly to musical accompaniment:
Of course, you can substitute readings with performances of songs instead if you’d like to include more music.
Whether you’re here to discover songs to use during your ceremony or musicians to play them, you’re in the right place. If you’re looking for a way to make your ceremony truly unforgettable, hiring a classical musician or acoustic soloist is the very best way to do this. A live musician is able to tailor the length of songs to suit each part of the ceremony, finding ideal points to end songs or extend them if necessary, which sounds so much better than just fading out a playlist!
How To Choose Your Ceremony Musician
A live performance creates an intimate and magical feel to your special moment that can’t be achieved with a recording. Musicians can play beautiful renditions of songs that make them sound completely different, or play modern versions of older songs to bring them more up to date. Whatever you’re after, one of our fantastic acts will be able to enchant your guests for this important part of your day. Nearly all these acts will learn a song of your choice as standard – perfect for your walk down the aisle!
Singers
The first thing to consider, is do you want a singer? Acoustic soloists and duos can provide a fun, personalised and inspiriting accompaniment to your ceremony. Most will be more than happy to learn a special song of your choice. Alternatively a classical singer is ideal if you want to inject a touch of class into your ceremony.
If you’d rather have an instrumental version of your favourite songs, hiring a classical musician is a great way to make your ceremony sophisticated and elegant.
Pianists
A pianist is incredibly versatile and will create a classic and romantic feel as you walk down the aisle. They’re able to play classical as well as modern songs and are sure to touch the hearts of all your guests.
Harpists
For a truly heavenly sound, the harp is the most romantic instrument out there. Our fabulous harpists are guaranteed to provide a spellbinding ambience like no other.
String Quartets
Providing a rich and full sound, a string quartet will captivate your guests from the second they begin to play. Whether you’re looking for a classical or contemporary performance, these highly-trained musicians will create a high-class feel to your ceremony. If you don’t have the space or the budget, most are available as duos or trios instead!
Guitarists
For romantic arrangements of your favourite songs, a classical guitarist is a great choice. The gentle emotive tones of a guitar are sure to draw a few tears from your guests!
A Gospel Choir
If you’re looking for spine-tingling harmonies and heartwarming happiness then look no further than a gospel choir. These incredible vocalists will deliver stylish arrangements of contemporary songs as well as traditional gospel tunes, for a mesmerising and memorable performance.
What Music Should I Play?
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