Here Comes the Bride
So many couples struggle with choosing music for their big day, from processional songs to first dances. We thought it might be helpful if we listed a series of lovely songs for ceremonies (to start), in hopes that it eases the hunt!
Note: You can always move past our YouTube samples and listen on iTunes or Amazon to varying instrumentation options for each, too- as you probably don’t have an entire symphony for your wedding ceremony (though how fab!)
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What: Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Who: Mendelssohn
Side note: Best with organ accompaniment, amazing for a recessional.
Sample it here.
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What: Air on a G String
Who: Bach
Side note: Get your mind out of the gutter, hee hee. Lovely for parents to process to, as well as pre-processional music.
Sample it here.
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What: Trumpet Voluntary, aka “Prince of Denmark’s March”
Who: Clarke
Side note: A herald trumpeter absolutely makes it, even though others can “fake” it- organs, strings, etc. Best used for the bride’s processional.
Sample it here.
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What: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Who: Bach
Side note: Lovely for the parental processional or bridesmaids/groomsmen.
Sample it here.
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What: Ave Maria
Who: Schubert
Side note: Be bold, get a soloist to join forces with your other musicians, as the words are just beautiful. Best for wedding party processionals.
Sample it here.
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What: Barcarolle
Who: Offenbach
Side note: Listen to it for a while until you hear the loveliest part that is wedding-appropriate.
Sample it here.
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What: Water Music for Hornpipe, Suite 2
Who: Handel
Side note: Best for recessional of the couple and wedding party.
Sample it here.
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What: Te Deum Prelude
Who: Charpentier
Side note: Gorgeous and traditional for a bride’s processional- and just different enough to peak your guests’ interest in your choice.
Sample it here.
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What: Cello Suite no. 1
Who: Bach
Side note: Sigh- just so gorgeous. You obvi need a cello to make it pop.
Sample it here.
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What: Rondeau
Who: Mouret
Side note: Fantastic with a trumpeter, but doable with just an organ or a string trio/quartet. Great for wedding party processional.
Sample it here.
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What: Minuet in G
Who: Bach
Side note: Simple and lovely choice for pre-bridal processional music, or for a bride who doesn’t want the pomp and circumstance.
Sample it here.
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What: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Who: Handel
Side note: Fantastic for a wedding party recessional.
Sample it here.
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What: Trumpet Tune
Who: Purcell
Side note: You know this one! It’s tried and true, but still elegant for wedding party or bridal processional, or even a recessional.
Sample it here.
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We think Pachelbel’s Canon in D is tiiiiiiiired, but it’s always an easy fallback for processional music if you just can’t make the leap from what feels safe to what will thrill!
10 Things That Make Me Happy
Gut instinct: this may become a weekly blog post. It’s just that teeny Type A consumerist in me who loves compiling lists upon lists of favorite things that I covet. Check it (don’t wreck it):
Love me a good Anthro installation. It’s beyond crazy to think that these Simon Doonan-esque elves appear in the night at malls across America and install art . . . so inspiring.
Brooch bouquets, shot by Alice Hu Photography. Takes a quirky bride with a wee bit of courage, but I want one just for my life!
Duh. What gal doesn’t want a sumptuous little vanity in her bedroom, on which one of those brooch bouquets could perch?
Asking for a Holga for my birthday, under the auspices of channeling the profound talent of our friends at A Bryan Photo.
I picked up a Jadeite cake plate like this one on our last trip to East Tennessee, along the road to Blackberry Farm. Delish.
We can’t wait to work with Laura Cooper calligraphy this summer. Her lettering is simply beyond. One day, when I’m 90, I’ll take that calligraphy course I always promised myself I would.
Maybe I don’t have that darling whitewashed baker’s rack, but our milk glass collection does rival this! We’re breaking it out for one of our special Spring brides who, like us, adores all things vintage.
Just picked up a few vintage suitcases this weekend at my favorite antique mall. Will continue to collect for one of our Fall brides, whose furniture vignettes at cocktails will feature these little gems.
Soul food- any book by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. If you haven’t read Same Kind of Different as Me, get thee to the bookstore. This is the follow-up, and I can only read a chapter at a time because I weep so.
Emerson Made anything. . . from the floral pins to the gorgeous hair clips to the felty belts.
What do you covet?
For Better or Best
The fun has only just begun after your vows are exchanged . . . there are years of anniversaries to come, and lots of goodie exchanges to plan.
In preparation, we have a few ideas to throw your way!
1st: Paper
You can certainly take this one to the max by taking paper ever-so-literally to mean: tickets to somewhere fab. Or, keep it simple and give each other social stationery from Mr. Boddington. There is nothing more sophisticated than couture paper, especially tiny European-style calling cards and bespoke letterpress notecards. We love their punchy off-kilter colors.
2nd: Cotton
Two years into marriage, you definitely need a bath refresh. Frette sheets, Yves Delorme robes, and Uggs slippers could all make a statement, as could these little beauties from Neiman Marcus:
3rd: Leather
We love the nearly-lost art of hand-written correspondence, and this cements your intent : a handmade travel writing desk from Pianki . . .
4th: Linen/Silk
Ask for: an Hermes scarf, of course . . .
Give: a Southern proper tie, natch . . .
5th: Wood
Stay local and find a gorgeous woodworker to patronize. Go as simple as a salad bowl or as complex as a console! Charleston boasts many an artisan, including Michael Moran, whom we adore.
10th: Tin/Aluminum
Don’t despair: Pewter is an alloy that is 85 to 99% tin. Italian pewter is to die for lovely, and makes for heirlooms for your children’s children.
15th: Crystal
Duh- you know we’re going to fall back on our favorite, Mr. Yeoward. Pair a gift like this with his fabulous book on entertaining for her or an aged single malt for him and you’re done.
20th: China
Forget the Herend cachepot. Here’s where I say, get literal. Plan that transcontinental trip you’ve always imagined and hit up China.
25th: Silver
If you’re staying around town, perhaps ask the hubby for a sterling serving tray like this:
If the travel bug has bitten, consider Silver Strand, Ireland:
50th: Gold
Not that you can’t find something delicious made of the precious metal we all adore, buuut . . . you could plan a little weekend getaway to NYC and hit up Serendipity for their Golden Sundae?
75th: Diamonds/Gold
Sheesh- a girl has to wait till her 75th for more diamonds? I think not! But either way, I say ponder a diamond watch for you and a fabulous non-diamondy watch for him.
