How would you describe your upcoming wedding ceremony? Is it going to be a traditional wedding?
I know many of you are planning for a traditional wedding. But some of you don’t want it to be too traditional.
Others definitely don’t want a traditional wedding at all but are planning a church wedding.
In both cases, you need music ideas that don’t scream TRADITIONAL WEDDING!
Is it the music?
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that for many couples, “traditional wedding” means a very specific set of music choices.
While many people might go so far as to think the term means anything in a church involving tuxedos and formal dresses, more often than not, it seems “traditional wedding” means music choices like Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Clarke’s Trumpet Voluntary in D, Wagner’s Bridal March, etc.
Personally, I don’t think it’s the music all by itself that makes a wedding ceremony traditional.
But it does seem that what would help most couples looking to avoid a “traditional wedding” is simply to have a good selection of music choices, so that their music choices don’t have to be routine.
Does this apply to you?
Even Pachelbel’s Canon in D wasn’t the fixture in traditional wedding ceremonies that it now is until relatively recently! It only become that way over time.
Music that says “this is my wedding” rather than “this is a traditional wedding”
That should reassure you that it is perfectly fine to explore different music options to get ceremony music that reflects you, rather than reflecting the concept of “traditional wedding”.
But even if what you are seeking is the most traditional of weddings, you still want music that’s a reflection of you, right?
I encourage you to explore your musical options. The goal of your ceremony music should be to have music that complements your feelings, that expresses the joy you feel. It’s about what accomplishes this for you, not what “ought to be heard”, as if there were such a thing!
Of course, I still recommend that the music you look for is music that’s appropriate for church weddings (after all, that’s what this site is all about). If you need more on music appropriate for church weddings, see these articles:
- Choosing church wedding music
- Choosing church-appropriate wedding songs
- Classical music for church weddings
So if you’re trying to avoid the “traditional wedding” label, watch out for the music that most people associate with traditional weddings. It’s not that they’re bad pieces of music (go ahead and use it if that’s what works for you), it’s just that they’re generally overused. And overused music won’t help you avoid that label.
There are so many other great choices available to help your ceremony music be unique and memorable!
Let’s hear your thoughts
What do you think? Do you agree that most couples associate certain music with a traditional wedding? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts–they’re always appreciated.
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