The lighting of candles by the parents and then by the couple was lovely. The bridesmaids entered first (20 minutes late) and the Mendelssohn Wedding march was an odd entrance but a good one as it was a long church and the bride's father was using a walking frame. The couple do not say the vows. They are read to them and they say "I do". A lovely prayer for them to say together once married. All this was in the marriage rite the English bishops submitted to Rome but it was never agreed. Once register was signed we started to line up to leave but photographer had us all being photographed in front of the altar while organist played and played. I would have given up but the scholar from the pro-cathedral David Grealy who is coming to Westminster cathedral carried on ending with the Widor. So the couple did not go out to just the bells, he played it again bless him and I know how tiring that is!. There was a piper outside the church to greet the bride and lead them in at the reception. He played Daisy daisy and everyone sang.
When son and daughter-in-law left the next day the family sang a blessing which was lovely. I was tempted to offer "Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye" which we had out our reception!
This American thing where the bridesmaids come in first - latest wedding I played for Wagner was requested soft for the bridesmaids and then loud for bride and father. Unfortuantely nobody reminded the bride to wait and she started off and I couldn't see from the console so the officiant come up and said Play loud NOW. I have suggested that in future the bridesmaids should come in to a different piece!
) have been sticklers for prioritising (sp?) what is sung, and I have been able to talk them round. As it was a family wedding, did you not have any input as to the choice of music?
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