ceremony music

Vendor Spotlight: Cindy Horstman

June 19, 2015
Vendor Spotlight

Whether your ceremony is inside or outside, a harp is a lovely choice for ceremony music. It provides a different sound than strings, but can offer wonderful interpretations of both classical and alternative pieces. One of our favorite harpists in DFW is the fabulous Cindy Horstman, and we’re so glad she took a few minutes to chat with us on her music and her business! Read on!

When and how did you get into the wedding industry?

I got into the wedding industry while I was in college in the late 70s. I’ve been in business as a freelance musician for 37 years. I am based in the Dallas area and invite my clients to come hear me playa public performances, which is a great way to decide if you like a musician! Or I will record and send [clients] mp3s of possible songs for their wedding. I can create arrangements for the harp out of almost any piece of music.

What makes you different at what you do?

One thing that sets me apart is that I play an electric harp. It sounds like a traditional harp, but the tone is better and stronger for outdoor ceremonies. In addition to playing solo, I am a member of a harp and bass duo called 2tone, with Michael Medina on bass. For weddings and receptions, we create out own arrangements that have a contemporary, jazzy feel and the response from brides and their guests is very positive! I think clients hire me because I try my best to respond promptly and professionally to their requests and because me arrangements sound unique. The best compliments I receive are from happy brides that say that I made their wedding very special – I want to help make it special for them because it is their day!

Do you have a funny story about a previous event?

One funny story was from a wedding at the Arboretum, in Mimi’s Garden. The guests were seated on the lawn and for some reason, the timing of the sprinkler system was not right. When the bridesmaids were walking up the aisle, the sprinklers behind the guests came on! The coordinator turned them off quickly, but when the bride was halfway down the aisle the sprinklers came on again under her and all the guests! They were quickly shut off and the ceremony proceeded. The wedding was covered in the Dallas Morning News, and the bride’s father was quoted as saying, “I guess in every marriage a little rain must fall!”

You can hear some samples of Cindy’s music on her website. She is available by email at cindy@cindyhorstman.com or by phone at 214.207.9494.

All images courtesy of Cindy Horstman

Alternative Ceremony Selections

June 16, 2015
Planning Advice

Photo courtesy of Bella Bee Photography

News flash – not everyone out there is a big fan of Pachelbel (gasp!). And you know what? It’s totally fine if classical music is not what you see for your ceremony! The ceremony is truly the part of the big day that should best reflect you and your partner, because it will make that moment of saying, “I do” all the more authentic for you, your family, and your guests. So what are some ways you can branch out, musically speaking?

Choose a Different Instrument

Sometimes, the same song played by an electric violin or a saxophone instead of your traditional organ or string quartet can give you exactly the vibe you want for your ceremony. This is also a great way to give a more unique sound to your church ceremony – generally, your song choices will be regulated, but the instrument itself is a little more flexible. Bagpipes sound amazing in a cathedral, and provide a unique exit for the wedding party and guests.

Find Some Songs That Are More You

Pop, rock, jazz, country… What best reflects you? If you’re using a DJ or recorded music for the ceremony, the sky is the limit on choosing your processional and recessional songs. Some couples go traditional for everyone walking in, then set the tone for the reception with a fun exit song. Some couples toss all the traditional songs out the window and go for a more modern selection. Here are some popular recorded songs we’ve seen used in the last year or so that we’ve loved:

– A Thousand Years, Christina Perri

– God Bless the Broken Road, Rascal Flatts

– Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Stevie Wonder

– I Do, Colbie Caillat

– La Vie en Rose, Louis Armstrong

– Make You Feel My Love, Adele

You can also check out these more extensive lists from A Practical Wedding‘s list of hip ceremony music.

Tap Into Cultural Traditions

Are you doing something during the ceremony that involves a cultural tradition – for example, a Celtic hand-fasting or a Navajo blessing? Weave your ceremony together by using music that honors that region or culture for the processional and recessional. Need a little inspiration on what to bring into your ceremony? Check out the articles here and here from The Knot.

Traditional Ceremony Selections

June 10, 2015
Planning Advice

If you’d like your ceremony to have a timeless, traditional feel, there are several musical pieces that will help you set the tone! For the most part, this means classical music (no words) or hymns (can be sung or played without vocal accompaniment).

Some of the selections we hear fairly often are also church appropriate (depending on the specific rules of your venue). Additionally, most of these songs are fairly versatile and can be played on a variety of instruments. Be sure to find a sample that uses your instrument of choice to ensure you love the sound – a single piano sounds very different than an organ and a choir, for example. We’ve labeled our samples below by instrument, so that you can keep track.

Canon in D, Pachelbel – Harp

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Bach – String Quartet

Air on a G String, Bach – String Quartet

Ode to Joy, Beethoven – Organ

Hornpipe from Water Music, Handel – String Quartet

Trumpet Voluntary, Clarke – Organ

The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Handel – String Quartet

Spring: Allegro from Four Seasons, Vivaldi – Piano

Bridal Chorus, Wagner (Here Comes the Bride) – String Trio

Wedding March, Mendelssohn – Piano

Photo courtesy of Joy Neville Photography

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