We are getting married in my church where I have been attending in the church choir for 17 years (I started when I was 9) so I've always had a pretty good idea of what music I'd like to have at my wedding. I've already chosen my hymns (angel voices and Jerusalem, my 2 faves) and have a pretty good idea of music I'd like to walk out to with my future hubby (widor toccata) but been struggling with a processional piece. H2b told me yesterday that he hates the sound of the organ (he doesn't attend church with me) and would prefer a piano to play a piece for me to walk in to and we found a really nice piano version of an Ed Sheeran song yesterday that would be perfect and we feel it would tie the ceremony in well with the reception as we'll be having an Ed Sheeran first dance. My only problem now is that I think it's going to sound weird walking into a piano tune, then the organ playing hymns and a really loud organ piece to end. Do you think we'd be better having a piano recessional tune as well or would it be ok just to use piano for the procession in and then organ for the rest of the service? I'm worried it will sound really weird swapping from the quiet piano to organ xx
CommentAuthorCatherineR
As a churchgoer myself, I wouldn't be having a piano playing when you've got an organ/organist to play. The organist may not want to play the piano which needs to be a consideration too. Could you have someone playing some piano music while you have arrival drinks at your reception venue as a compromise? Personally I would have all organ - you could always get the Ed music for organ too? Or maybe have an instrumental/vocal piece halfway through the service? So many options! xx
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorCatherineR
Also, churches are made for organ and to announce your arrival, it's going to sound very weedy having a piano then changing onto the organ!
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorVictoriaJ39
Thank you very much for your thoughts, they mean a lot! I completely agree with you, churches are made for organs and pianos just don't fill the space properly. I just don't want to upset my H2b by saying "no we're having the organ full stop!" We are planning on having a piano when we arrive at the reception venue which I think suits it better so I guess there's the compromise right there like you said!! Any ideas on the processional piece for organ though? I really can't stand the "here comes the bride" piece but all the others I quite like are listed under recessional on most websites I've found!
CommentAuthorInDreamland
I agree with OATB.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorErinP42
I'm not a churchgoer but have been to few services at my grans request (she is very religious) and think the piano that was played for some parts was very nice the switched between organ and piano and it didn't sound weird at all.
CommentAuthorHollyW796
Hi, I'm getting married in the church and have decided on Pachelbel's Canon in D.
Also my organist told me that it was our wedding and we could have what we like, its how you think it sounds, don't worry about everyone else!
CommentAuthorEmily17
I'm planning on walking into Pachebels Cannon in D. It means a lot to me as in my old orchestra it was our signature piece. Is there a piece that means a lot to you?
Met in 2009
He proposed Jan 2014
Will become Mrs P 7th October 2017
CommentAuthorJennK
Pachebel's canon is my walk in piece too and is one of the very few traditional aspects to our day! I have a string quartet as its a civil ceremony, but the last wedding I went to it was played on the organ and sounded amazing.
Our perfect day - 08.08.15 <3
CommentAuthorCatherineR
No problem :) I think you've found the compromise at the drinks bit. The piano just isn't going to fill the space unfortunately and against the organ, it will sound very weak and weedy! We are having the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba to walk into and the Widor to walk out to as well! Have a listen and see what you think :) x
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorElinor Claire
I don't actually think piano would be a problem, I've known people use it and if the music that feels right to you works better with piano then it would work. Piano can work in a big church, I've been going to church all my life and at my church we seldom use the organ as it is in a bad way, we use piano for everything. I used Cantique de Jean Racine to walk into which was a version for piano and four flutes, and I prerecorded it in a studio so that I could play all the flute parts myself, with a piano track. That would be the other option if your church has a decent sound system, a recording of the piece that you want can be played through the system at the required volume. It worked fine for me having piano, then organ for the hymns and recessional (Hallelujah Chorus), and choir with piano in the signing of the register. I think it's quite nice to have something a bit more gentle to walk in to slowly, as it contrasts with the triumphant feel of the recessional. Another option if the choir are there is that they sing you in. Is there a favourite piece that you've grown up singing with the choir that you haven't managed to incorporate yet?
30th August 2014 was the best birthday ever.
It was the day that I became Mrs. Dixon.
CommentAuthorInDreamland
We walked out to the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba OATB.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorCatherineR
Good choice InD!
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Thank you Thank you x
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
