Ceremony music instrumentation thoughts/opinions

So I was considering asking them if they (or just my friend on piano) if they would be comfortable performing during the processional/recessional. And then we would just have the DJ that comes along with our reception band to put on music during cocktail hour.

What do you all think?

Violin or piano or piano and saxophone?

Thanks!!

Piano and saxophone sounds awesome!

Sax and piano!

I found a few videos of a more classical sounding saxophone. Just a lot of examples I found sounded very jazzy- which I love for cocktail hour, but not sure for the ceremony.

We are having a solo violin for the ceremony. I love how romantic string instruments sound. i agree that saxophone would be great for the cocktail hour!

I agree Kelsey! I didn't want to have a full string trio or quartet since it's such a short amount of time.

And FH gave me free reign for this decision which is just making it harder!!

I agree with Kelsey and that was our deciding point. We are having a harpist for the ceremony.

Ask them if they have videos. Select the music for them to play.

Piano + violin definitely seems more ceremony-y and sax seems more receptiony. Is there any chance your violinist friend could get to the venue for a few min to test out the acoustics?

I just came to say I'm jealous of your warehouse. That is all.

I'm hoping she can sometime this spring. Her daughter (my friend) is having a baby in April so she'll be visiting around then. Obviously I don't want to take away from grand baby time- but maybe it can be fit in.

I likely wouldn't be able to have the violinist and pianist play together since they wouldn't be meeting til the wedding weekend most likely.

JoRocka - I don't know How we got so lucky with it! It's the only warehouse-esque venue around where we live and it only opened for weddings this past summer.

I'm obsessed with it, though it's a bit on the big side.

The attached picture is of the ceremony space.

Discussed with my friend (the pianist who is married to the saxophonist) - we will likely have both of them play together for Prelude, Recessional, and Postlude music - but then just have my friend on piano for the Processional.

I was feeling bad asking them to play for the full cocktail hour, even though they said they were more than happy to. They are also our guests so I want them to get their party on as soon as the ceremony ends with everyone else!

We had a string trio at our ceremony (violin, viola, flute) and I think strings are very romantic! However I think since it's just one violin, the piano is a better idea for the processional. I think just the piano would sound best, but then add in the sax. for your cocktail hour!

I think if we have the piano/sax for pre-ceremony, ceremony, and post-ceremony music - we'll just have the band's DJ pump out some music for the cocktail hour so our friends don't have to play even more!

But thanks so much for all the input everyone!