Scanning all those foreign language song titles may seem daunting, but relax. Pulling off the perfect ceremony music program is easier than you think.
Step 1: Learn the Basics

The most basic ceremony musical set-up involves a minimum of three types of songs: preludes, processionals, and recessionals. Prelude music is light, ambient music that sets the mood while guests are being seated and waiting for the ceremony to begin. It usually begins when the doors open, or as early as 45 minutes prior to but no later than 20 minutes before the beginning of the ceremony.

Next is the processional, which accompanies the entry of the extended wedding party -- family, bridal party, and bride. The same song can be used for each, but we love the idea of changing to another song when the bride enters to add drama and highlight her entrance. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the recessional plays. As the name implies, this music accompanies you as you recess (that is, make your exit) and is traditionally bright and lively -- a reflection of your joy.

Many couples choose to add interludes or songs played during significant moments such as the unity candle lighting or the ketubah signing. You might also want to include a postlude, which is a selection played while guests exit the ceremony. Have someone play a violin, or even a set of bagpipes, as guest's head toward the exit. Some couples even ask the musician to lead guests out of the ceremony space in a parade like fashion.
Step 2: Size Up Your Space

Before you start interviewing quartets and contemplating song selections, do your homework. Some ceremony sites and officiants may have strict guidelines about which music can -- and can't -- be played during a ceremony. Secular locations may also have guidelines you'll need to be aware of, setting limits on the noise or the space allotted for a band.

Consider the size of your venue when putting together your ensemble. For example, a huge brass quintet and a small chapel won't be a match -- the sound may overwhelm the space. If you're having an outdoor wedding, you probably can't use a traditional piano, but if electricity is available, an electric piano will work -- complement it by adding a string instrument such as a violin or cello.

If you've got your heart set on a harp, make sure there's enough room (they're huge), and scope out a practical way to get it inside your site (it would be difficult to have to drag a harp through a kitchen, for example). If you'll be outside, a harp may not be the best choice -- the sound won't be as strong because it tends to drift upwards.

Where will you find your musicians who'll be a hit with all of your guests? Check with friends, surf the web (check out our local boards to find vendors close to you), and look at message boards. Ask for references -- you want to be sure the people you hire have plenty of experience accompanying couples down the aisle. Most musicians will have a sampler CD that demonstrates what the different ensembles are capable of playing. If you've got time, ask to attend a function where they'll be playing so you can hear them live before you hire them.

Most ensembles have a leader who works with clients to put together appropriate musical accompaniment from a single instrument (such as an organ or violin) to a 10-piece orchestra. The more instruments, the fuller the sound -- but remember, the larger the combo, the higher the price tag.

Also, while you may like the sound of a certain instrument, including it might not be as easy as just adding it to your ensemble. For example, you might want to add a trumpet, but then to balance it out you'll need three or four string pieces such as a cello, violin, viola, and harp, or else the horn will stand out awkwardly. Just ask the musicians what would work best.

Here are some good basic combos to consider:

String Duo (two violins or violin and cello)
String Trio (two violins and cello)
Flute Trio (flute, violin, and cello)
String Quartet (two violins, viola, and cello)

You might consider adding an organ or piano to any of the trios or the quartet, including a harp with any of the above, or jazzing things up with two trumpets.

If you decide to add vocalists, it's a good idea to have the singing begin after everyone is seated for your ceremony. When a person steps up to a microphone to sing, guests may feel obliged to be quiet and pay attention, which creates awkwardness. It's also wise to make sure the vocalist is comfortable with your selections, because when a singer is nervous, it shows right away in his or her voice. Ask which songs the soloist knows well, and work together to build a song list that satisfies you both. If there's a song you want included that he or she isn't familiar with, have a violin, piano, or flute play an instrumental version of the selection.
Step 3: Pay the Piper

You can save a few rands by hiring less experienced musicians through a local conservatory or college, or by getting someone who plays at your house of worship. Often the organist is a nice baseline for an ensemble and will know reliable, church-approved musicians who can accompany him or her for less money. Now that's music to our ears!

2. Reception Music: Getting Started
Reception music is a tough nut to crack unless you have the basics down pat. Begin with these hints and shortcuts.

If it's done right, music will energize your celebration, heighten romance, and inspire guests to get down on the dance floor. "If music be the food of love, play on...." So said Shakespeare, and we echo his sentiment wholeheartedly. Here are eight notes to keep in mind.

Finding Your Muse
It's so simple, look under DJ's, music and entertainment in your wedding planner.

The Size Factor
Consider your reception room's size and your crowd. An intimate space won't fit a 22-piece orchestra, and a three-piece combo may not cut it for 400 people. A good rule of thumb? Shoot for six musicians per hundred guests.

What It Costs
Reception music fees are dictated by city, number of performers, day of the week, and time of day. A DJ generally costs less than a band.

Act Now
Top talent, be it the kickin-est DJ in town or the local pub's liveliest Irish trio, can be booked up to a year in advance. The sooner you make arrangements, the better your chances of landing exactly the act you want.

Time It Right
Bands and DJs are typically contracted for four or five hours, but if you think your reception might last longer, consider booking them for more time up front. If you spontaneously decide to have them stay longer, you could incur steep overtime fees. You may be able to hire for the event, rather than for contracted hours, in which case you could avoid overtime charges.

Noise Restrictions
Check with your site manager: There may be time-of-day restrictions on music or limits on noise levels. Electric guitar, for example, might be totally out of the question.

Give 'Em A Break
Keep in mind that your band or DJ may need to take a break during the night, so discuss how you'll want to fill this time. A DJ can just throw on a compilation CD of your favourite music, or you may be able to coordinate the band's break time with the toasts.

Putting it All Together
There are a few parts of your reception you'll need to decide in advance:
? Talking Points: Do you want your DJ or bandleader to announce the wedding party and reception events? Then arm him or her with information. Write down people's names (with pronunciations), wedding roles, and their relationship to you (maid of honour, bride's parents, and so on). If someone else handles the task, make sure the entertainment knows their sole duty is turning out tunes.
? Your Dances: The band or DJ will need to know how you want to handle a few key dances: your first dance, your last dance, any of the parent dances, and possibly the cake-cutting song.
? Your Vibe: Want 15-year-old cousin Jane, 46-year-old Auntie Lou, and 75-year-old Gramps to all boogie down together on your big day? Focus on variety. Ask your musicians or DJ to play songs that span several decades, from Big Band standards to Bob Dylan and the Backstreet Boys -- and everything in between. Kick off the night with intergenerational songs so popular that everyone will know and enjoy them: the Beatles, Sinatra, Aretha, and Patsy Cline. As the evening progresses and curfew-bound relatives start to say adieu, feel free to rock the house with your favorite age-appropriate tunes.

3. Music: Top 10 Tips
Want to keep your guests tapping their feet? Get the right groove with these ten need-to-know wedding music tips.

Poll Your Peers
Ask friends and family members for recommendations from weddings they've recently attended. There's nothing like a wedding guest to give you an unbiased point of view -- find out who was on the dance floor and who wasn't.

Analyse the Acoustics
Whom you hire depends on where you'll marry. You can't really have string instruments on the beach or your violinist might be drowned out by the crashing waves. Similarly, a classic formal event will lend itself to big-band sounds, which you would have a tough time fitting under a small tent for 100 people in your backyard. If you're marrying in a public place (say, a park), noise restrictions may apply (also true for at-home weddings).

Hear Them First
It's absolutely necessary to see and hear your musicians before you book them: Prior to signing any papers be sure to ask for a videotape and/or CD, or if you can see them perform live. If you've been given a CD, make sure you find out who exactly is on the recording -- which singers, how many instruments. If they're showcasing the all-star 12-piece band, and you're interested in the 9-piece ensemble, the sound may not be an accurate sample.

Think About Overtime
Bands and DJs are typically hired for four hours, but if you think your reception might last longer, consider booking them for five hours. If you spontaneously decide to have them stay longer, you could incur steep overtime fees.

Contract Cues
You must get everything in writing! This includes the names and contact information of your performers; the wedding date and location; and the hours the musicians should play. Agree on a total price (minus any deposit you may have already submitted) and costs for overtime. Document requests for the number (and length) of breaks.

Pick With Personality
Sure, you've got your first-dance song settled; and you've always wanted to dance with your dad to "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder. But what about other custom tunes of the night? One for the cake cutting, one for the bouquet toss, one for your exit dance? Have a little fun with it -- playing "Pour Some Sugar on Me" while you slice into your wedding cake will be a sweet treat.

The Do-Not-Play List
Probably more important than your "play" list -- make your DJ or band swear up and down that they will follow it no matter how much cash Aunt Milly is waving.

Curb Jitters
While you're dancing, whisper soothing things to each other and keep each other grounded, because your adrenaline is going to be going so fast. Also, make sure videographers and photographers stay off of the dance floor -- if they get too close, it can be a major distraction and catch you off guard.

Burn, Baby, Burn
If you're using a pre-recorded CD for your first-dance song, write down the name of the song and track number for the person in charge of hitting play. Or, better yet, make everyone's life easier and copy the song on a blank CD so there's no mistake. Just bring a back-up CD in case there's a problem with the cue.

Clothes Call
Don't forget to talk to your DJ or bandleader about what he (and/or the group) plans on wearing for your event. Divas in mini skirts may worry your grandma.

4. Reception Music: Bands vs. DJs
Can't decide who should play your wedding tunes? Here's everything you need to know to find the right music maker for your day.
No doubt about it: Music can make or break a wedding celebration. It's the heart and soul of a reception and can send your guests home with happy feet -- or pained grimaces! The fact that you want to hire a talented band or fleet-fingered DJ is a given. Finding one is a matter of polling friends, surfing online, shopping around with fine-tuned ears, and making a move quickly -- top talent can get booked up to a year in advance. What type of entertainment suits your personal taste, budget, space allowances, guest demographics, and killer dance moves best? Keep an open mind, and consider these issues to start your search.
Vibe
The type of music you choose can set the tone of your wedding and solidify a theme. And remember, it's the thing people most often remember. Think about what musical genre best reflects your personalities and inspires the ambience you want to create: Groovy funk or subdued string quartet? Swanky swing or kick-off-your-shoes-and-sweat zydeco? How the music is delivered -- by live band or DJ -- also affects the ambience. The type of music you choose may dictate the choice -- big band sounds are generally best live, for example. Variety Are you a little bit country, while he's a little bit rock 'n' roll? Regardless of whether you choose a band or DJ, be sure they play slow and fast songs, and old and new tunes to encourage different sets of guests to hit the dance floor. Budget In the price war, DJs generally cost less, and prices vary depending on whether it's a weekday or a weekend and equipment requests. A twelve-piece band, for example, will generally be more expensive than a DJ since there are more people to pay. (There are always exceptions; celebrity DJs can be just as expensive as live bands.) Band prices vary by the number of musicians, how long you want them to play, day of the week, and what time of year it is. Try to see a DJ or band in action before you commit so that you can gauge firsthand the way they dress, deadpan, and work the crowd. Space Don't get your heart set on an eight-piece salsa band before you check whether the reception site has any restrictions on the number of musicians and pieces of equipment you may bring in, and whether there are any electrical power supply or noise limitations. For example, a registered landmark reception site may not allow you to use large speakers. Ask these questions before you start scouting bands. Band? or... There's nothing like a live wedding band to get a crowd stoked and create a sense of sophistication. Music groups can synergise with the tone of your wedding and almost any niche theme, offering everything from accordion to klezmer ditties. A good bandleader will play the master of ceremonies at your reception if you want him or her to, interact with folks on the dance floor, pay attention to the "feel" of the room, and select music accordingly. ? Pros: Live music is, well, live. You and your guests will experience the pleasure of a performance. Anything can happen to raise the excitement level, from an infectious horn-section interlude to a moving solo. ? Cons: Bands can be more expensive than DJs. Also, no matter how great the band, they can't have the repertoire of a standard DJ, who can keep a huge variety of music on hand. ...DJ? Don't fear the DJ: The days of disco fever and flashing lights are gone. Today's disc jockeys are artists in their own right, offering balanced and eclectic mixes of musical styles for all ages. Plus, the songs played will sound exactly as you remember them, encouraging sing-alongs and improvisation. And depending on the amount of equipment a DJ brings, he or she will take up less dance floor real estate and can be relocated with relative ease. ? Pros: The biggest plus for hiring a DJ is that they won't take breaks, and if they do, it won't be for as long as a band and they can throw on a compilation disc. Also, DJs are generally less expensive than bands. A DJ with a charismatic stage presence and excellent emcee skills can really set the mood and keep the party going. ? Cons: On the opposite end of the spectrum, a DJ with a less-than stellar personality can be a party-killer. Also, improvisation is tough if, say, your dad is dragging behind tempo on the father-daughter dance or your nieces and nephews decide to crash the chicken dance. You Must Remember This... Ideally, you will want to see a DJ or band in action before you commit so that you can gauge firsthand the way they dress, deadpan, and work the crowd. If that's not a possibility, ask for a play list, and look for songs you know and love. If a band gives you a CD, cassette, or video, be sure that the musicians you hear or see are the same musicians who will play at your reception. Also, ask for referrals from the last few weddings the band or DJ played. Consider your first-dance song as an audition. If the band doesn't know it and is unwilling to learn it, or the DJ doesn't own it and is unwilling to get it, move on. Before You Sign Know that all professionals should be open to your likes and dislikes. Give them your own personal request list, songs they must and, perhaps more importantly, a do-not-play. Worried that you'll hear the "Macarena" at your once-in-a-lifetime event? Specifically prohibit the playing of a song you feel strongly about in your contract.