preude-processional-recessional-what does all this mean?

krisstyk1224

Hi Girls:

I am looking to write my programs and select music for the cerominy. Can you tell me what all these mean and also give some advice. Our ceromony is not in a church but onsight @ our venue, so we have 2 BM and 2 Best man, how many songs do I need to select for the ceromony...I am so confused!

Thanks so much!!

trix1223

I am a church organist, so here goes:

The prelude(s) are the pieces that are quietly plaed in the background as your guests are arriving~before the ceremony begins.  You don't really need to select prelude music.  Just let your dj know the kind of mood you want to set.  I generally play about 20 minutes of prelude music.  The final piece of the prelude music is the piece played for the seating of the moms.

Processional:  the music that the WP and Bride and groom enter to.  It begins the ceremony.  You can decide how you want them to enter.  Are all the men and the officiant entering together, and then the BM's coming down the aisle, followed by you?  (That is the most traditional way).  You'll likely want one piece for the WP to enter. 

The dj will fade it out when your groom, his attendants and the officiant are all in place.  Then you'll want the piece you'll walk down the aisle to.  Again, the dj will fade it out when you reach the altar.

Recessional:  the piece of music that is played after the ceremony is over.  You'll really only need one song to get you and your WP up the aisle.  The dj will likely play more music (I usually play about 3 recessionals) but I promise you that you'll be so giddy at that point, you won't hear the recessional you choose, much less the ones that follow. 

So there you are:  you'll really be choosing 3 pieces of music:  BM entrance, bride's entrance, and recessional.  Your dj will be able to give you some suggestions if you can't think of any.

GL

kls114

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_first-dance_preude-processional-recessional-this-mean?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:29Discussion:7f1a442e-2edc-4f55-a9b3-f521d8ce1949Post:48c5ce75-6b98-4338-b7bb-f6cae1e6752b">Re: preude-processional-recessional-what does all this mean?</a>:
[QUOTE]I am a church organist, so here goes: The prelude (s) are the pieces that are quietly plaed in the background as your guests are arriving~before the ceremony begins.  You don't really need to select prelude music.  Just let your dj know the kind of mood you want to set.  I generally play about 20 minutes of prelude music.  The final piece of the prelude music is the piece played for the seating of the moms. Processional :  the music that the WP and Bride and groom enter to.  It begins the ceremony.  You can decide how you want them to enter.  Are all the men and the officiant entering together, and then the BM's coming down the aisle, followed by you?  (That is the most traditional way).  You'll likely want one piece for the WP to enter.  The dj will fade it out when your groom, his attendants and the officiant are all in place.  Then you'll want the piece you'll walk down the aisle to.  Again, the dj will fade it out when you reach the altar. Recessional :  the piece of music that is played after the ceremony is over.  You'll really only need one song to get you and your WP up the aisle.  The dj will likely play more music (I usually play about 3 recessionals) but I promise you that you'll be so giddy at that point, you won't hear the recessional you choose, much less the ones that follow.  =) So there you are:  you'll really be choosing 3 pieces of music:  BM entrance, bride's entrance, and recessional.  Your dj will be able to give you some suggestions if you can't think of any. GL
Posted by trix1223[/QUOTE]

Awesome explanation!!!

trix1223

Oops~just saw one mistake: 

This paragraph should read:

The dj will fade it out when your groom, all attendants (Bride's and Groom's)  and the officiant are all in place.  Then you'll want the piece you'll walk down the aisle to.  Again, the dj will fade it out when you reach the altar.