If any one element is crucial to setting the appropriate tone and atmosphere for your wedding, it's the music. Things to consider when choosing music for your ceremony are:

• the location of the wedding
• the style of music
• how much music to include and where to place the music
• are there any musical restrictions (many churches are very strict as to what is allowed)
• who will play the music for your ceremony (again, many churches require that you use their church organist and choir)

Prior to selecting your music, it is best to decide which type of instrumentation you want to use for your wedding. In addition to a church organ, a classical quartet creates a formal, elegant mood, while a vocalist singing a love ballad accompanied by a piano or guitar evokes a romantic atmosphere.

Once you have decided, set an appointment with the director of music for your church or synagogue or with the leader of the ensemble you are using. These people will be able to make recommendations for music that is suitable to your style and will complement any of your wedding's religious or cultural themes or rules.

Music for your wedding is normally divided into four parts: the prelude, the processional, the interlude(s), and the recessional.

Prelude music typically begins 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. These selections set the mood for the coming event, your wedding ceremony. The prelude music also provides a formal tone while guests are being seated. Generally your prelude selections should be played at a volume that will create a background for light conversation and reflections. A special selection is usually chosen to signal the seating of the mothers and grandmother of the bride and groom at the end of the Prelude. Recommended music includes:

• Largo (Bach)
• Air from Water Music (Handel), one of my personal favorites
• Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach), another one of my personal favorites

The processional announces the arrival of the wedding attendants and, ultimately, the bride. The music should be dignified and should also be the right length to accompany all of the attendants from the back of the church to the altar. Typically, there are two selections played during the processional: one for the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and a different selection for the bride. Recommended music includes:

• Canon in D Major (Pachelbel)
• Air on the G String (Bach)
• Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin (Wagner)
• Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke)
• Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (Handel), of course, one of my favorites.

Throughout the ceremony, you can accentuate key moments with music. Many people place music before or during readings, during the lighting of the unity candle, during communion or as a moment of meditation. You cannot go wrong with following recommendations, all of my favorites:

• Panis Angelicas (Franck)
• The Wedding Song (Stookey)
• The Lord's Prayer (Malotte)

The recessional is the grand finale of the ceremony and should reflect the jubilant nature of the occasion. Music should played as the wedding party leaves the church and continue until all guests have departed. Recommendations:

• Wedding March (Mendelssohn)
• Ode to Joy (Beethoven)
• Allegro Maestoso from Water Music (Handel)

Finally, remember that some churches and synagogues require hymns and particular music during various parts of their service. After all, it is a religious ceremony first and foremost. Most importantly, remember that music is a complement to your wedding ceremony and adds to the grandeur of the entire experience.