Ceremony music....recorded music

I say go with your cousin! Oddly enough, my cousin plays guitar (amazing, he teaches guitar at a university, performs regularly) and I gathered the courage to ask him to play. I even offered payment because I felt like it was the right thing to do. He said he would be honored and laughs every time I bring up money. With that said, if he says no, I would sooner save my money if it is only one song. I'm sure you can find a lovely arrangement and hide speakers to make it feel like you've got the real thing!

MrsA2B, the church is lovely! I agree, I would ask your cousin. He will probably be happy to do it. If not, finding someone to play the piano shouldn't be to hard. Our venue has a sound system where we can play prerecorded music, which was the initial plan, but now I've kind of fallen in love with the idea of a live violin/cello duet for the ceremony. I will be walking down the aisle to the song I was named after, and I know it will thrill my parents (and me too!) to have it played live.

You should totally ask your cousin! I'm sure he would be honored, it's like asking him to do a reading. Except with music. If Celia agrees it must be a good idea But, if you insist, I think an ipod would do the job. But definitely do a sound check beforhand, and you'll still have to ask someone to cue the music.

Our sound guy at our church took care of our music for us. I did not pay someone to play - we used contemporary music I burned on a CD and gave to him.

While this might sound silly, why not ask church pianists if they might play for you, if you'd want something like that. My mother does that sort of thing and charges fifty.

That church is stunning - my dream venue. Alas, I'm getting married at a golf course. Anyway, definitely ask your cousin. My family has done the music for nearly all of my cousin's weddings!