by Antone and Marlee Bruinsma

Music is a truly wonderful addition to your ceremony. Whether your wedding is formal or informal, music is an important element to consider. You may like to have some music playing while your guests assemble, then a piece for your procession.

You can have live musicians (perhaps you have a talented cousin or brother or sister who can play an instrument or sing a song), or you can have recorded music. It is important that the music played can be heard by everyone, so you may need an amplifier, especially for outdoors. Portable CD players often do not have the volume needed for this. And you may like to choose a person to turn the music off and on at appropriate times.

If you have an official photographer, there may be some time between when the bride arrives to when you actually enter the venue, while the photographer takes photos. You may like to ask your photographer about how long this will take, so that you can plan for the amount of music to play.

Often a formal wedding venue will have a person especially to do this for you.

Otherwise, you will need to ask someone to do this and ask them to practice and become familiar with the songs beforehand and the volume they will need to play them at.

While choosing music, consider also a couple of additional pieces for when you are signing the certificates (this helps to keep the atmosphere going for your guests while you are occupied with this) and a piece to finish with, after you are pronounced husband and wife. If you have an official photographer who wishes to take many photos while you are signing certificates and the marriage register, two songs may be necessary (otherwise, one should be sufficient).

The piece for your recessional (when you move to an area for the guests to congratulate you) is usually an uplifting and upbeat piece - it may be your very favourite song for this occasion.

The list (we hope to add to it from time to time as we come across new pieces):

Dreams on Fire (my new favourite) - from the Slum Dog Millionaire Sound Track - A R Rahman and Suzanne

Swept Away - Christopher Cross

I'm Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and The Waves

This I Promise You - Ronan Keating

Time of Your Life - Greenday

Just my Imagination - The Temptations

Imagine - Ray Charles version

Lady Soul - The Temptations

You - Bliss

Crazy Love - Van Morrison

Dance of Sarasvati - Kitaro

Big Love - Fleetwood Mac

Aria - Yanni live at the Acropolis

Love Is All - Yanni

You're So Cool - True Romance soundtrack - Hans Zimmer (The Wings of a Film CD)

Lea Halalela (from the Lion King) - Hans Zimmer

Busa (from the Lion King) - Hans Zimmer

I'll be There - Mariah Carey

Chapel of Love - Dixie Cups

I was made for Loving You, Baby - Kiss

Viens Mallika Sous Le Dome - Howard Blake (True Romance soundtrack)

Slip into Something More Comfortable - Kinobe (a great seaside track)

Rain Down - The Fighting Temptations Soundtrack - Angie Stone and Eddie Levert Sr. of the O'Jays

Rang De - Deval Premal (Embrace CD)

Cleopatra in New York - Nickodemus (Man Ray CD) - (very alternative for a BIG themed wedding entrance with lots of handmaidens and handmen)

At Last - Etta James

Grace - Earthsongs and Ole Edvard Antonsen

You're My Best Friend - Queen

Dance Me to the End of Love - Leonard Cohen

Wedding Song - Bob Dylan

I Knew I Loved You - Savage Garden

Lean on Me - Al Green

La Vie En Rose - Edith Piaf

Come Rain or Come Shine - Don Henley