Every church pianist probably owns a copy of the traditional “Wedding March”.  I’ve personally been wanting a new arrangement of this well used tune.  So…I finally finished a new version of  the “Wedding March”.

The majority of the weddings that I use this song for…want it to last long enough for the married couple to exit and then transition into another tune for the rest of the wedding party. The bride is usually open to suggestions for this separate song after the wedding march.  I usually suggest “Praise My Soul the King of Heaven”…an old hymn tune but very majestic and happy!  Of course there are other tunes  that work beautifully. (another article) 

I just like the smooth transition from “Wedding March” to “Praise My Soul the King of Heaven”. Here’s an audio sample of  this transition…

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It took me forever to find this alternate tune for Praise My Soul the King of Heaven by Mark Andrews. I found that this tune is copyrighted…so I can’t create an arrangement of it.  Sorry about that.

An absolutely beautiful two piano arrangement of it is available in “The Wilds” online music store.  The following link takes you to their music store.  (I couldn’t get the specific page link to work). Once you’re on the main page…click on “product search” on the left and type in “Praise My Soul the King of” to find  the two piano arrangement.

Wedding March

Early advanced piano arrangement, 3 pgs. Length: Approx 1 minute & 20 seconds (without repeats)

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Price: $3.50

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Since I’ve been sick all this week…I’ve had a little spare time to write music.  One of my music writing projects has been to write a  piano arrangement  of the traditional “Wedding March” recessional.  (This is the march that is played at the end of the wedding)

There’s nothing wrong with the traditional arrangement.  I’m just ready for a change. The last few times I played this song… it sounded so repetitive. If I could just add some different chords and melody twists.

It’s a challenge to draw this song to a close at just the right moment. I always work out my escape hatch (premature ending) in advance for short weddings.  (I’ll share alternate repeats and endings in the finished arrangement).

I decided to google piano arrangements for the “Wedding March”. What a variety of styles! I heard everything from slow romantic to party time renditions of this traditional tune.   It made me think…”What mood am I trying to create?”  I think…Happy! Yeah! I’m married! Joyful!

Therefore… a happy, joyful, triumphant mood…right?  So, I’m trying to add some spice to the already traditional “Wedding March” but not overdo it… or my changes will sound out of place/out of character.

This upcoming  arrangement of the “Wedding March” will be available for sale very soon.  I will offer the arrangement at a discount for a limited time.

Click here to see new arrangement of “Wedding March”

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 Everyone wants a smooth wedding rehearsal and wedding ceremony. Many times church pianists find themselves in the role of wedding coordinator, wedding consultant, pianist or all of the above.

There are many good books on the market dealing with wedding planning and such but I wanted to share important practical tips I observed in my son’s wedding rehearsal.

The wedding coordinator was wonderful!  She was so personable and patient.  Her main objective was to honor the bride’s wishes on how to conduct the wedding rehearsal/ceremony. If  someone asked her a question she was unsure how to answer… she directed it right back to my son’s bride-to-be in a very polite manner.

The pastor was a natural leader and very hospitable. Of course it helps to have a cooperative wedding party

Rehearsal Observations:

(Parents and grandparents  were seated in the auditorium) *Seats were marked with our names

• Pastor opened in prayer and briefed wedding party on order of ceremony and how rehearsal would be conducted as follows:

First run-through: Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, bride & groom exit from stage (recessional)

Second time: Entire ceremony with all music

Third time: Entire ceremony with short excerpts from music

• Pastor introduced wedding coordinator
• Wedding coordinator positioned bridemaids, groomsmen, bride and groom onstage for exit (recessional) *everyone’s place was already marked with piece of tape.  *Excellent time-saver and anti-confuser  (I like to make up words)
• Now…everyone is in the back of the auditorium ready to march in  (Hearing entire music selections allows those involved to know how much time they will have to perform their actions such as:  candle-lighters or…parents lighting the unity candle) 
• Final run-through gave everyone a chance to nail down their moves (especially helped pianist know how much filler music was needed) 

I must give the ultimate credit to the Lord.  Many thanks to all of my friends and relatives who prayed for our safety and for a beautiful wedding to God’s glory.

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I enjoy playing Canon in D for weddings.  Recently, I added a piano solo arrangement of  Canon in D to the music store. (store offline due to construction)

Here’s a group of my piano students and myself playing a piano quintet arrangement of Canon in D, plus a violinist.

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I hope to post an article by Saturday.  Our oldest son just got engaged and we’ve had company. I”m also playing for a wedding this weekend….not my son’s

How many of you are playing for a wedding anytime soon and could use a free arrangement for a wedding?

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How many of you play for weddings at your
church?Do you ever have a hard time coming up with
music to play for weddings?Here are two books that have nice selections for
vocal specials and prelude music.Book title:

We Will Serve the Lord by The Wilds

Book title:

World’s Greatest Wedding Music (Easy Piano)
(50 of the Most Requested Wedding Pieces)
Selected and arranged by Dan Fox (Alfred Publising Co.)

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