I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to feel decidedly festive now it’s finally December! It might be a bit late for anyone planning a Christmas wedding this year. But if you’re searching for inspiration for your big day next December, here’s a few ideas to create festive magic through live music at your Christmas wedding!
1. Sing Christmas Carols in your wedding ceremony
If you’re having a church wedding, it’s your perfect opportunity to take full advantage of the season and belt out some Christmas Carols! No need to worry that your guests won’t know the hymns. If any of them went to a British primary school, they’re likely to have Away in a Manger and O Come All Ye Faithful committed to memory for life!
If you want to get your guests singing, at the very least, you need to book a church organist. Most churches have a resident organist and can arrange this for you. If yours doesn’t, get in touch with me and I’ll be happy to help. Likewise, make sure to check with the church that their organ is well-cared for and tuned (an out of tune organ won’t sound pleasant!) If it isn’t, or the church doesn’t have an organ at all, you might consider booking a pianist who can provide an electric piano instead.
If you think your family and friends might lack confidence when it comes to singing, why not book a choir to give them a boost? An ensemble of between 4 and 8 professional singers, is more than enough to fill a small church. They can also perform a couple of extra carols to entertain your guests while you are signing the register. Something like Christmas Lullaby by John Rutter would be beautiful.
2. Walk down the aisle to a song from a classic Christmas movie
Religious music isn’t permitted during civil ceremonies in England and Wales, so most Christmas Carols are a no-go. But there are plenty of other ways to bring in the festive spirit as you say your vows. Perhaps you agree that Elf is the greatest Christmas film of all time? If so, why not walk down the aisle to Buddy’s Theme? A romantic favourite at Christmas weddings is the Portuguese Love Theme from Love Actually. Or maybe you’re a huge Home Alone fan? The tune of Somewhere in my Memory would make a gorgeous entrance piece!
Since it has such a great soundtrack, let’s stay with Love Actually (my favourite Christmas film, even if it is a cheese-fest!) Bill Nighy’s version of Love/Christmas Is All Around would make a brilliant, fun exit song. A more unusual choice might be the wonderful Light the Night from The Snowman and the Snowdog (the 2012 sequel to The Snowman). It would be such a joyful piece to walk out to as a married couple!
Instrumental versions of all these songs would work magnificently, on strings, piano, harp, woodwind or brass instruments. Let me know if you want a favourite Christmas movie song arranged for your wedding ceremony.
I had so much fun researching this section that I might have to write a whole blog post on Christmas movie music for weddings! So, film buffs – watch this space for more ideas!
3. Book a quartet of carol singers for your drinks reception
You’ll want to create the perfect festive atmosphere as your guests sip their mulled wine or cocktails. What could be more perfect that a quartet of carol singers? Four professional voices, blended exquisitely together, creates a stunning backdrop to a drinks reception. They’ll mix traditional carols with some livelier tunes, such as the Twelve Days of Christmas, Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Set the tone for your day, keep your guests entertained, and bring that jolly Christmas spirit to the occasion!
4. Or, book a brass ensemble for your drinks reception
If you love tradition but don’t fancy having singers, then think brass! There’s nothing more festive than dashing in and out of the shops to the sound of a brass band playing carols in the town square. A full brass band might be a bit much for a wedding, but there’s no need to go that big. A brass quintet of two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba, makes a superb miniature version, for a wedding of around 100-150 guests. They make a powerful sound which carries well in a large venue or even outdoors (as long as you don’t mind the musicians wearing their hats and scarves!) For a smaller wedding, you might prefer to go for a trio of trumpet, horn and trombone.
As well as arrangements of classic carols and hymns, a brass ensemble can play plenty of lively, upbeat jazz and pop arrangements. They add a fun, playful mood to the celebrations!
5. Keep things interesting with some cool Christmas Jazz during your wedding breakfast
Fans of Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra might want to bring a little Christmas jazz magic to their wedding celebrations. Virtually every popular Christmas tune has been recorded with a jazz twist over the years. From those swinging ’60s albums to more recent additions by the likes of Michael Bublé. No matter how many versions we hear of the same songs, an incredible jazz musician can always add a fresh take. And every so often we get a new addition – I discovered Jamie Cullum’s 2020 Christmas Album a few days ago, and I’m loving it!
Depending on the size of your wedding, you might want anything from a single jazz guitarist to a full jazz quintet. If your venue has a piano, why not book a jazz pianist to tinkle away on the ivories during your wedding breakfast? You might fancy adding a jazz singer to make the performance stand out. If you’d rather not have vocals, then a saxophonist accompanied by keyboard and double bass might suit you better. Book a consultation with me to find your perfect match. Jazz ensembles are so flexible; there are options to suit everyone. And they’re guaranteed to set the tone for a cool, classy Christmas celebration!
6. Play all the old Christmas favourites at your evening reception
The final touch is the evening do. Whether you’ve booked a DJ or a live band, make sure they get everyone up on the dancefloor with the old favourites! I’m talking Elton John, Slade, Wizzard, Mel & Kim and Shakin’ Stevens. (Or my husband’s ridiculous favourite - Christmas Time, Don’t Let the Bells End, by The Darkness!) Love them or hate them, they’re guaranteed to get people up and dancing at this time of year!
Remember though; it may be culturally frowned upon to ban these timeless classics, but it is your wedding day! If you’re sure you’ll be sick of Wham and Mariah Carey by mid-November, have a word with your DJ in advance and ask them to steer clear!
