Arioso Ensembles will guide you through the process of selecting the actual music for your wedding day with our detail oriented service. As you listen to our demonstration CD, keep the following in mind: Prelude Music: The pre-ceremony music is comprised of various selections and begins approximately twenty minutes before the wedding starts, as the guests are being seated. Usually the selection of music is left up to us so that we can be sensitive to the particular mood of your guests on that very day. Processional Music: This section of the music may include a special piece of music for the seating of the family, usually the grandparents and the parents. Our personal preference is to continue playing the prelude music through the seating of the last family member, usually the mother of the bride. This tends to insure a good flow and guarantee a smooth transition into the start of the ceremony. The first processional piece would then be for the entrance of the officiant and groom followed by the rest of the attendants (groomsmen, bridesmaids, ring bearers and flower girls). Your officiant may prefer to enter with the groom and groomsmen to silence, a very effective and dramatic touch. After the arrival of the last attendant, a brief pause follows and then the piece that signals the arrival of the bride is performed. Ceremony Music: Depending on the kind of ceremony you are having, there are several times during which you may choose to have music played. These times include: an interlude between readings, during lighting of a unity candle, during communion, a moment of meditation following the exchange of vows or any time you move from one part of the altar to another. Keep in mind that having too much music during the ceremony can take away from the overall effect. We usually recommend only one (a maximum of two) pieces performed during the ceremony. Recessional: Following the last words or final event of the ceremony, the recessional music begins. One lively piece is played for the bridal party (including the Bride and Groom) and family to exit to. Postlude Music: As the guests depart the ceremony area, we will provide lively background music, usually one or two selections. As with the prelude music, we will be happy to choose the music appropriate for this final part of the wedding.