Frequently asked questions about our performers

1. When might I need music at my civil ceremony?

The main parts of the ceremony that usually require music are as follows:

• As guests assemble
• At the entrance of the bride
• During the signing of the register
• At the end of the ceremony as the couple leave

Sometimes couples like a piece to be played in the body of the ceremony, too - in between the readings, perhaps?

2. What musicians are most commonly booked to play at civil weddings?

A string quartet is by far the most popular choice, for the following reasons:

• Breadth of repertoire
• Mobility, and no trailing power cables either!
• Flexibility - classical music during the ceremony, and lighter, jazzier music afterwards
• A quartet doesn't take up much space!

3. I hate string quartets. Any alternatives?

How about a harpist? It's a wonderfully romantic alternative, and most harpists will be able to play a wide repertoire ranging from traditional folk tunes to arrangements of opera and modern show tunes (eg Lloyd-Webber etc)

But remember that the harp is a subtle instrument, and so is generally not be a good choice for large weddings - if you are expecting more than about 70 guests, there is a danger that the chatter of your guests will drown the music!

Alternatively, you could consider engaging a pianist, if your wedding venue has a piano or if a keyboard can be provided. The pianist can provide music for the civil ceremony as well as creating an elegant atmosphere during drinks and the wedding breakfast.

Most pianists ought to be able to play both classical and contemporary music - popular repertoire includes classical music, traditional "cocktail" music (Porter, Gershwin etc), jazz standards, and songs from the shows (Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love etc).

4. I'd like a singer. Can I have a soloist at my civil ceremony!

Yes, but bear in mind the legal restrictions on the music that he or she can sing.

At civil ceremonies, the soloist normally sings during the signing of the register, although he or she could also sing as your guests assemble, at the entrance of the bride, and as the bridal couple leave after the ceremony.

5. How can I tell if a particular musician will do a good job?

It's not always easy to tell, but the following pointers should help:

• Are they full-time professionals?
• Which choirs/orchestras do they work with? (Never heard of them? Take care!)
• Where have they performed recently?
• Have they got a demo CD? (and if not, you may ask yourself why not?)
• Can they provide references or copies of letters of thanks?
• Have they performed a civil ceremony before? Where? When?

You should also trust your instinct. Does this person seem to know what they're talking about? Do they inspire confidence? Are they providing satisfactory answers to my questions?

Lastly, beware of musicians who only perform locally - this may indicate that their standard is not high enough to work more widely!

6. I'd like to book a soloist and pianist or quartet to sing my favourite love song. Will it sound like the record?

A pop song or a song from the shows will sound very different when sung by a classically-trained singer. There is more to a pop song than simply playing or singing the notes - the musicians need to understand the style as well, and an operatic singer singing 'I will always love you' would sound as ridiculous as a pop singer singing 'Nessun dorma'!

7. I'd like something really spectacular! Any ideas?

Nothing beats a trumpeter or two to provide a sparkling finishing touch to a civil ceremony!

There are a number of wonderful pieces for two and three trumpets which although entirely appropriate for civil ceremonies weddings, are very rarely heard, such as Vivaldi's Concerto in D for Two Trumpets or Telemann's Concerto in Bb for Three Trumpets.

8. Are there any restrictions on the music that I can choose for my civil wedding?

Yes - see our section The Law for details

9. I need some help with choosing my civil wedding music. Are any suitable CDs available?

Yes, WMC Records has produced two CDs of music specifically for use at civil weddings.

Each CD comprises new recordings of 22 classical tracks, ranging from timeless classics to lesser-known gems. All the tracks on both CDs are annotated with suggestions as to when each piece might suitably be played.

You can buy these CDs online at www.cdsforlife.co.uk

We arranged all the musicians on the CDs, so subject to availability, it may even be possible to engage the artists featured on the discs at your own wedding.