Because a wedding is the most important event in someone's life, it is a high responsibility to sing or play music during the ceremony. For the same reason, though, it can be a demanding performance. It is often filmed, almost always photographed, and can require great poise and skill.
Preparing well in advance can ease the tension of wedding singing or playing and can make the day better for everyone involved. Preventing mistakes also assures that the guests' attention stays on the couple rather than the musician.
Preparing the Wedding Songs in Advance
Preparation is key in feeling relaxed on the wedding day. If at all possible, the musicians should know what music is expected of them and if the couple has any special requests about the pieces. The bride and groom will likely be very busy and might forget, so it is up to the musician to get this information.
Memorization, at least in part, is advised to relieve nerves and increase the quality of the piece. Even a small amount of practice at home can make the wedding rehearsal shorter and more enjoyable and can ward off stage fright.
Any musicians involved in the wedding should meet prior to the organized wedding rehearsal. It can be the same day as the rehearsal, but the first musical practice should happen before the bride or groom arrives. When the wedding party does enter, they will feel more at ease if they hear that the music has already been well-rehearsed.
Vocalists who have been given a very difficult song or a song out of their range should not be afraid to change the key. The permission of the wedding couple is advised, but a bride or groom would usually rather have an altered song than a poor performance at the wedding.
Choosing Musician Wedding Attire
Attire is extremely important for wedding musicians. Instrumentalists are often the first people seen in the wedding and can set the tone for the event. Vocalists are usually part of the ceremony and thus are integral to its appearance. All wedding musicians should know every detail about what to wear ahead of time.
After finding out from the wedding couple what to wear, musicians should pick out an appropriate outfit and try it on with the shoes, jewelry and accessories they plan to use for the wedding. Instrumentalists should make sure it is a comfortable fit with the instrument they will be playing. If the wedding is to take place in the daytime or under heavy lighting, the outfit must not be see-through when in the sun.
Hair and makeup should also be planned ahead of time, and a packing list should be made for the wedding day that includes all attire, instruments, and equipment.
For vocalists or any other musician who will be walking up to position in the wedding, it is advisable to practice walking in the proper shoes. This rehearsal might only take thirty seconds and will be worth it in order to relieve nerves when it comes time to walk on camera.
Musicians Can Make the Wedding Day Even Better
On the day of the wedding, if all necessary preparations have been taken care of, the wedding musician is in a unique place. He or she usually is asked to arrive early, but once the set up, warmup, and sound check are complete, there is sometimes little left to do.
The musician is then available to aid the wedding party in any way necessary. For professional musicians, arriving early and helping with extra details is a great way to garner more business and higher pay. It certainly sets some musicians apart from others.
If no help is needed, a well-prepared musician can also make the day more beautiful for the bride or groom by playing a song for them while they take pictures, get ready, or wait for the ceremony to begin. A family member or someone in the wedding party can let the musician know when playing would be appropriate and what songs might be most enjoyed.
