Does the violinist play during the vows?
The quietest part of your ceremony is the one everyone came to hear.
No. Jared doesn't play while your officiant speaks, because, in his words, “it's important that everybody can hear the officiant.” The violin comes back for a unity ceremony, if you have one, and for your recessional.
When the violin plays, and when it doesn't
| Part of the ceremony | Violin |
|---|---|
| Prelude, as guests arrive | Yes, about 10 songs starting 30 minutes before the invitation time |
| Processional | Yes, often one song for the wedding party and one for your entrance |
| Welcome, readings and vows | No, quiet while the officiant speaks |
| Unity candle, sand or tree planting | Yes, to fill the silence |
| Handfasting | Usually no music, or very quiet music |
| Recessional | Yes, as you walk out married |
| Postlude | Yes, about 3 songs as guests leave |
Unity moments are the exception
About a quarter of Jared's couples do something in the middle of the ceremony, like a unity candle or a tree planting. That's a stretch of silence, so Jared suggests filling it with music “so that... it's just not awkward for the guests.” Ave Maria and You Raise Me Up are two of his suggestions. For a handfasting, he usually recommends no music, or keeping it very quiet. Unity ceremony music.
Processional songs
A common plan is one song for the wedding party and a separate song for your own entrance. Some couples have their moms walk to their own song, though most don't. With a long aisle, one song for everybody is risky, so Jared may suggest a separate song for the wedding party. How many processional songs you need.
How the violinist knows when to start
You'll walk through every cue together on a Zoom call once your timeline is set, and the timeline lives in your BookLive client portal. On the day, Jared keeps eye contact with your day-of coordinator for every cue. If your aisle is short, he can play a minute or two of the music and then fade.
Couples on their ceremony
★★★★★“our guests loved it and I got chills hearing the violin playing to my husband to be!”
★★★★★“Extreme Strings did such a wonderful job and truly made our wedding ceremony so memorable.”
★★★★★“I had them play before and during the ceremony and it was FANTASTIC. I received so many compliments on the music...it set the tone perfect - especially with the violin version of many modern pop songs that were recognizable yet sounded divine.”
Ceremony music questions
Can you play softly under the vows?
Jared keeps the violin quiet while the officiant speaks so every guest can hear. Music returns for a unity ceremony and the recessional.
Do you play during a unity candle or sand ceremony?
Yes. Jared suggests music there so the silence isn't awkward for guests.
What about a handfasting?
Jared usually recommends no music, or keeping it very quiet.
Who provides the officiant's microphone?
Usually your DJ, if you have one for the reception. If not, Jared has his own microphones.