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Music for Your Celtic Wedding Contact us for Irish, Scottish and Celtic American tunes and songs at your wedding reception. Or, if you would like a traditional Celtic wedding ceremony, just scroll down to get started. Check the selections you like best, or just let us take care of it all for you. Music and Traditions for Your Wedding Reception Our music "works in" really wonderfully as part of your wedding reception. It's especially popular when there is an Irish or Scottish side in the family! Here's the format we have had the best success with for weddings... Most parties hire a DJ as well as us, and we work well with them! Upon arrival at the reception hall, the DJ announces the toasts to the bride and groom, and just after your family and friends offer their contratulatory toasts, we start up the Irish tunes as dinner is served. The instrumental-only music sets a lively mood and includes tunes that are familiar to guests of all eras. It's live music, not recorded and therefore very special and unique. Throughout the meal, our lively but not-obtrusive music continues playing. Our music works great because it lets your guests engage in conversation, and maintains a bouncy mood. As your guests finish their dinner, we have a great time leading a little "spontaneous" sing-along session of pub songs. The singing is spontaneous to your guests, because someone always has a request for their favorite Irish or Scottish song! The first request leads to about 5 familiar songs, during which we do our best to get your guests singing and onto the dance floor. This gets the kids up as well as their folks. And, as you know there are a wide variety of songs that will appeal to all your guests, from When Irish Eyes are Smiling to Whiskey in the Jar, which even your teen-age guests will enjoy! Next, if we are working with a DJ, he announces your First Dance, Father's Dance and then takes it from there with the recorded popular music you have chosen. Most parties use popular recorded music at this point, because the bride and groom usually have their own personal choie of popular music that they want to dance to at this point and thereafter for the remainder of the reception party. Celtic Tunes and Songs for Your Wedding Ceremony We offer the unique option of either male, female or duet vocal selections, since we're singers as well as instrumentalists. One of the most common questions wedding planners receive is, "How many songs do I need and where should they go?" The answer to that question varies, simply because there is no wrong way to go. here are some guidelines to follow when placing music within a wedding ceremony. One sample program is included below. Prelude - Lasting about 15 minutes, prelude music is usually instrumental and sets the mood for quiet anticipation. There are many Celtic tunes that can set a lovely mood during your prelude. You may check one or more selections you like best. Wild Mountain Thyme / Will Ye Go Lassie is a familiar favorite Planxty Irwin / Hewlett Down by the Sally Gardens / Maids of Mourne Shore instrumental

Download Music for your Wedding Ceremony

Download Music for your Wedding Ceremony

Wedding Party Processional - This music begins when the officient and the groom approach the altar. The bridesmaids (along with the groomsmen who may join them) continue to walk to this selection, as well as the flower girls and ring bearers. Traditionally, the music is played at a pace that is easy to walk to. The music continues until the entire wedding party reaches the altar. A favorite Irish processional tune is Haste to the Wedding. Whether you choose this tune, Here Comes the Bride or another accompaniment as you march down the aisle, your processional will announce your arrival. All in attendance will stand as you make your way toward the center point. It's time to set a cheerful mood.

Haste to the Wedding

The Bride's Processional - The bride may enter just after the matron or maid of honor, or wait for another musical selection to begin. A favorite Irish processional tune of ours is Haste to the Wedding. Whether you choose this tune, Here Comes the Bride or another accompaniment as you march down the aisle, your processional will announce your arrival. All in attendance will stand as you make your way toward the center point. It's time to set a cheerful mood.

		Morgan Magan by Turlough O'Carolan has a stately but light feel to it.
		Bridal March "Here Comes the Bride" by Wagner

Poetry/Scripture Readings - If you choose to include this optional segment, you might consider having a soft instrumental tune playing in the background. Traditional instruments including guitar accompaniment would work well here.

		Give Me Your Hand instrumental
		Rose in the Heather

Unity Candle/Soloist - A popular practice in a wedding ceremony is to light a unity candle. The bride's parents and the groom's parents each light separate candles. Then the bride takes one candle, the groom takes the other and they simultaneously light a new candle symbolizing the union of the two families.

Instrumentalists play softly in the background during the lighting. After the lighting is a fine time for a vocal duet, musically symbolizing the unity of two hearts. Gairin offers the lovely blend of Tom and Mary Kay's voices, whose heartfelt song can be a fitting love song at this time during your wedding.

For those who choose not to light a unity candle, this section of the wedding ceremony is an excellent place for a song.

		Flow Gently Sweet Afton vocal medley of the Scottish and American versions
		Once Upon a Dream duet from Dueney's Sleeping Beauty
		Skye Boat Song
		Give Me Your Hand original vocal and instrumental arrangement by Gairin
		Just let us know if you'd like Tom or Mary Kay to sing popular music, such as Josh Groban's You Raise Me Up - a current wedding favorite.

Vows - There are several places within the exchanging of vows where you may ask for us to sing a song. Before the vows, after the vows or before the rings are all practical and acceptable places for a song.

		Love Me Tender
		Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
		Simple Gifts
		You Raise Me Up

Recessional - The part of the wedding ceremony you've been waiting for! Congratulations! You're husband and wife. Of course, you'll need music to leave by. The same principles apply to the recessional as did to the processional. All in attendance will stand as you make your way out of the gathering place, followed by your wedding party. This music will be a joyful lively tune!

Post Ceremony Music - As your guests file out, you may wish to have us continue playing to keep the festive mood alive.

		Off to California
		Swallowtail / Morrison's Jig
		Tar Road to Sligo has a light and lively feel to it.
		Road to Listonvarna
		The Parting Glass

Important Note for Weddings: Check with your celebrant (minister, rabbi, priest...) before making your music selections. Some faiths, houses of worship or celebrants do not allow all music or particular selections to be played. In addition, some will not permit music to be performed during the exchange of vows or as background behind the entire ceremony.