Music for Your Celtic Wedding
Contact us for Irish, Scottish and Celtic American
tunes and songs at your wedding reception. Or, if you would like a traditional Celtic wedding
ceremony, just scroll down to get started. Check
the selections you
like best,
or just let us take care of it all for you.
Music and Traditions for Your Wedding Reception
Our music "works in" really wonderfully as part of your
wedding reception. It's especially popular when there is an Irish or Scottish
side
in the family! Here's the format we have had the best success with for weddings...
Most parties hire a DJ as well as us, and we work well
with them! Upon arrival at the reception hall, the DJ announces the toasts
to
the
bride and groom, and just after your family and friends offer their contratulatory
toasts, we start up the Irish tunes as dinner is served. The instrumental-only
music sets a lively
mood
and
includes
tunes that are
familiar
to guests
of all eras. It's live music, not recorded and therefore very special
and unique.
Throughout
the meal, our lively but not-obtrusive music continues playing. Our music
works
great
because
it lets
your guests
engage
in conversation, and maintains a bouncy mood.
As your guests finish their dinner, we have a great time
leading a little "spontaneous" sing-along session of pub songs. The singing
is spontaneous to your guests, because someone
always has a request for their favorite Irish or Scottish song! The first
request leads to about 5 familiar songs, during which we do our best to
get your guests singing and onto the dance floor. This gets the kids up as
well as their folks. And, as you know there are a wide variety of songs that
will appeal to all your guests, from When Irish Eyes are Smiling to
Whiskey in the Jar, which even your teen-age guests will enjoy!
Next, if we are working with a DJ, he announces your First
Dance, Father's Dance and then takes it from there with the recorded popular
music you have chosen. Most parties use popular recorded music at this point,
because the bride and groom usually have their own personal choie of popular
music that they want to dance to at this point and thereafter for the remainder
of the
reception
party.
Celtic Tunes and Songs for Your Wedding Ceremony
We offer the unique option
of either male, female or duet vocal selections, since we're singers as
well as instrumentalists.
One of the most common questions wedding planners
receive is, "How many songs do I need and where should they go?" The
answer to that question varies, simply because there is no wrong way
to go. here are some guidelines to follow when placing
music within a wedding ceremony. One sample program is included below.
Prelude - Lasting about 15 minutes, prelude
music is usually instrumental and sets the mood for quiet anticipation.
There are many Celtic tunes that can set a lovely mood during your prelude.
You may check one or more selections you like best.
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Wild Mountain Thyme / Will Ye Go Lassie is a
familiar favorite |
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Planxty Irwin / Hewlett |
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Down by the Sally Gardens / Maids of Mourne
Shore instrumental |
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Wedding Party Processional - This music
begins when the officient and the groom approach the altar. The
bridesmaids (along with the groomsmen who may
join
them)
continue
to walk to this selection, as well as the flower girls and ring bearers. Traditionally,
the music is played at a pace that is easy to walk to. The music continues
until the entire wedding party reaches the altar. A favorite Irish
processional
tune is
Haste
to the
Wedding.
Whether
you
choose this tune, Here
Comes
the
Bride or
another accompaniment as you march down the aisle, your processional will announce
your
arrival. All
in attendance will stand as you make your way toward the center point. It's
time to set a cheerful mood.
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Haste to the Wedding |
The Bride's Processional - The bride
may enter just after the matron or maid of honor, or wait for another
musical selection to begin. A favorite Irish processional tune
of ours is Haste to the Wedding. Whether you choose
this
tune, Here Comes the Bride or another accompaniment as you march
down the aisle, your processional will announce your arrival. All
in attendance will stand as you make your way toward the center
point. It's time
to set a cheerful mood.
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Morgan Magan by Turlough O'Carolan has a stately but light
feel to it. |
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Bridal March "Here Comes the Bride" by Wagner |
Poetry/Scripture Readings - If you choose to include this optional segment,
you might consider having a soft instrumental tune playing in the background.
Traditional instruments including guitar accompaniment would work
well
here.
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Give Me Your Hand instrumental |
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Rose in the Heather |
Unity Candle/Soloist - A popular practice in a wedding ceremony is to
light a unity candle. The bride's parents and the groom's parents each light
separate candles. Then the bride takes one candle, the groom takes the other
and they simultaneously light a new candle symbolizing the union of the two families.
Instrumentalists play softly in the background
during the lighting. After the lighting is a fine time
for
a
vocal
duet, musically symbolizing the unity of two hearts. Gairin offers the lovely
blend
of
Tom
and
Mary
Kay's
voices,
whose
heartfelt
song can
be a fitting love song
at
this
time during your wedding.
For those who choose not to light a unity candle, this section of the wedding
ceremony is an excellent place for a song.
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Flow Gently Sweet Afton vocal medley of the Scottish and
American versions |
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Once Upon a Dream duet from Dueney's Sleeping Beauty |
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Skye Boat Song |
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Give Me Your Hand original vocal and instrumental arrangement
by Gairin |
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Just let us know if you'd like Tom or Mary Kay to sing
popular music, such as Josh Groban's You Raise Me Up - a current wedding favorite. |
Vows - There are several places within the exchanging of vows where you
may ask for us to sing a song. Before the vows, after the vows or before
the
rings are all
practical and acceptable places for a song.
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Love Me Tender |
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Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming |
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Simple Gifts |
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You Raise Me Up |
Recessional - The part of the wedding ceremony you've been waiting for!
Congratulations! You're husband and wife. Of course, you'll need music to leave
by. The same principles apply to the recessional as did to the processional.
All in attendance will stand as you make your way out of the gathering place,
followed by your wedding party.
This music will be a joyful lively tune!
Post Ceremony Music - As your guests file
out, you may wish to have us continue playing to keep the festive
mood alive.
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Off to California |
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Swallowtail / Morrison's Jig |
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Tar Road to Sligo has a light and lively feel to it. |
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Road to Listonvarna |
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The Parting Glass |
Important Note for Weddings: Check with your celebrant
(minister, rabbi, priest...) before making your music selections.
Some faiths, houses of worship or celebrants do not allow all music
or particular selections to be played. In addition, some will not
permit music to be performed during the exchange of
vows or as background behind the entire ceremony.
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