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BRIDAL CORNER Notes to listen to when choosing music for your wedding day RONDA ADDY Special to The IFP You're getting married. You have chosen the dress, the caterer, the photographer and the honeymoon destination, but you've got the feeling that you're forgetting something. What about the music? When selecting music for your wedding, there are some important things to consider. The number one thing to remember is to keep the music in good taste, no matter where you are getting married. If you are getting married in a church, there may be guidelines regarding the use of non-secular music. Some churches may allow non-secular music before the ceremony but not during the actual ceremony. It is a good idea to check with the church where you are getting married to see if it has any specific requirements. The music played while the bride and the wedding party walk down the aisle is called the processional. Depending on the size of the wedding party, you may need two different pieces of music--one for the entrance of the wedding party and one for the entrance of the bride. The best processional music can be performed at walking pace and can be ended anytime. When choosing your processional music, figure in the number of people in your wedding party, how far they need to walk and how fast they will walk. You may want live music. The number of pieces that you have during the ceremony will depend on how long you want the ceremony to be. Vocal or instrumental music is appropriate during the seating of the mothers or the lighting of the candles, right before the processional or the vows, during the lighting of the unity candle, and if included in the ceremony, during communion. Choosing music is personal and you want it to reflect your personality. Browse through the sheet music at a local music store for ideas or ask your soloist or accompanist for ideas. If you have a particular song in mind, check to see if sheet music is available, as your vocalist and accompanist will need it to perform. If you want instrumental music for you wedding, your choices may include the church organist, a harpist, a string quartet or some other instrumentalist. The music played when the bride and groom, wedding party and officiate walk back down the aisle is called the recessional. It should be upbeat and does not have to be very long. Another option is postlude music. This is music played immediately after the recessional as the guests get up and leave their seats. Music at the reception is crucial and often means the difference between everyone having a good time or being bored to tears. Live music is always a good idea, so choosing the right band is very important. Find a booking agent that has experience with wedding entertainment. By using an agent, you won't have to track down a band, make a deal and then hope they show up. Chances are a booking agent will have worked with the band before. Get samples of the band's work as well as references. What songs are on their song list? How do they sound on the demo? Do they do requests? Check out a live performance of the band. Do they have fun when they perform? Are they professional? After you have made your decision, get a signed contract that spells out all the details. The contract should include the name of the band and their leader or contact person, the amount they are charging and how they are going to be paid, and the time when they need to be at the reception and be finished setting up and how long they will be playing, including breaks. The contract should also include a cancellation clause. Be sure to tell the agent how many people will be at the reception, what music you want for the first dance and who will be the contact person. Check with the agent a few weeks before the wedding to make sure all the arrangements have been finalized. Taste in music is a very individual thing. You want your wedding day to be memorable. Choosing the right music is a good way to start.