• Arrival time is 20-30 minute prior to the start time and is included.
• Starting 15-20 minutes before the ceremony will help usher guests to their seats. People tend to notice when we start playing and naturally sit down to wait. It is the best time for people to enjoy our performance.
• We can change timing to 15/30/15 or 30/30 - it's all up to you. We suggest 20/30/10 since it works consistently.
• Even with a 20 minute ceremony, 90% of weddings run late (we've counted). Performing a 40 minute prelude with the ceremony ending just in time happens more often than you think.
• Overtime is pro-rated. There is a 5 minute buffer, after which we bill in 30 minute increments.

• Hymns, Responses, Offertory, Communion, Flowers to Mary - these are the parts of the mass that are best for music. If we're working with a cantor (singer) and musical director (usually a pianist/organist) from the church - we are versatile enough to accompany them.
• Panache has the most common hymns and responses in our library.
• If there is no cantor and/or musical director, the most common arrangement is that the priest will RECITE the hymns and responses and we will play the other sections of the mass - Communion, Flowers to Mary, Processionals, Recessionals, etc.

Ceremony Sections

• The prelude occurs before the ceremony and is the time when your guests are arriving. Prelude music is important because it sets the tone for your wedding and what to expect. Most prelude selections create a calming and elegant atmosphere that welcomes your guests and accentuates the anticipation.
• The pre-processional is the time that important family members, such as parents and grandparents are ushered to their seats. It's a great opportunity to honor important family members and the music can be classical, an instrumental version of a contemporary ballad, or a piece of great sentimental value – like a lullaby or favorite hymn from your childhood.
• The attendants’ or bridal party processional begins as soon as the bridal party appears at the top of the aisle. The music you select should have a steady tempo that the bridesmaids and groomsmen can comfortably walk down the aisle to at a measured pace.
• The bridal processional begins when the bride is about to walk down the aisle and should either be dramatic and sweeping or light and sweet. Sometimes, this is the same piece as the attendants’ processional but to make a clear distinction it is usually different. Again, keep in mind the tempo and style at which the piece will be performed and selections can be made either from classical or instrumental versions of favorite ballads and contemporary love songs.
• The recessional begins as soon as you are pronounced husband and wife. Music selections convey feelings of excitement and joy and there is an unlimited variety of music to choose from. Use the time to create a feeling of celebration but be careful to make sure that it is appropriate for the style of your wedding as well as the ceremony site.
• The postlude follows the recessional, which ends after the last member of the bridal party walks off the aisle. The music is un-intrusive, elegant, and much more upbeat, allowing guests to exit their chairs and start mingling with the other guests. If you and your fiancé have definite musical tastes, this time is a great opportunity to showcase them.

Inter-Ceremony Sections - During the ceremony, music is usually designated during certain times (such as lighting of the unity candle, after readings, flowers to parents, etc.) A few rare clients like to have their favorite songs playing softly in the background throughout the ceremony. But most do not so that the dramatic effect of the music is greater. It ultimately depends on your program and the atmosphere you wish to create.