Wedding Music
Below you will find information about music for wedding services at Zion UMC. If you have any question, please contact Matthew Wensel, the Director of Music Ministries._______________________FeesBasic Fee $150.00 includes consultation, rehearsal, and wedding ceremony
Soloist Fee $25.00 fee charged for each rehearsal with soloist/ensemble
**All persons providing music for your wedding must be paid in advance.
Christian Marriage
The service of Christian Marriage is a service of worship and will be held to the same standard of musical excellence as any other worship service. Therefore, all music used at a wedding ceremony must be sacred in nature, adhering to and representing the theology and practices of this congregation. The Director of Music Ministries must approve all music chosen for the wedding ceremony.
Prelude and Postlude Music
The Director of Music Ministries will choose prelude and postlude music for the wedding ceremony. Music, festive and meditative, from a variety of time periods and styles will be utilized. If you have a favorite composer, musical style, or composition, please make mention of it in the consultation - all efforts will be made to accommodate your requests.
The prelude will begin 15 – 20 minutes before the ceremony. The postlude will begin after the conclusion of the recessional. The length of the postlude depends on the style in which you in which your guests exit.
Processional, Recessional, and Service Music
The bride and groom will choose the processional, recessional, and service music during the consultation*. The Director of Music Ministries will present appropriate options and will consult with you in finding the music that best suits your needs and desires.
*Note: It is imperative that you come prepared with an outline of the service determined in coordination with the officiating minister.
Musicians for your ceremony
The Director of Music Ministries is a staff member of Zion United Methodist Church and he reserves the first right-of-refusal for wedding ceremonies. If you choose to use another musician, you must obtain permission from the Director of Music Ministries.
You are certainly welcome to utilize soloists and instrumentalists during your wedding ceremony. When choosing these soloists and the music they will be performing, ask yourself the following questions…
1. Would the selection be appropriate for a Sunday morning worship service?
2. Does the song glorify God? Does the text speak of God’s love for us, our love for God, and/or your love for each other, or does the text speak only of the physical aspects of love between a man and woman?
3. Have I chosen a soloist who is comfortable performing in front of a large group? Sometimes family members or family friends are uncomfortable performing in public but feel bad turning you down. If you need names and contact information for quality vocalists or instrumentalists, please ask me as soon as possible.
As mentioned previously, a $25.00 fee will be charged for each rehearsal with a soloist. Therefore, make sure the soloist is aware that they need to come to the rehearsal thoroughly prepared. Also, in order to ensure this rehearsal goes smoothly, music for accompaniments should be given to me at least a month prior to the wedding.