Weddings Why is Lenore a great choice for our wedding organist/pianist in the San Francisco Bay Area? Lenore takes your wedding music as seriously as you do. Since her own wedding and her treasured memories of the music, she knows how important it is to provide the most beautiful, appropriate, and tastefully timed music possible at every wedding she plays. In addition, Lenore has 15 years experience in playing weddings of virtually every denomination and culture. She has seen it all! More important, she has learned how to adapt her extensive repertory of wedding music to fit every situation and every couple. Whether your taste is for Schubert's Ave Maria, Pachelbel's Canon, or something more daring, Lenore can accommodate you in your preferences. (Some years ago, Lenore played the "Hockey Night in Canada" theme for one couple as they exited, though she has never been sure if she really should have.) You can also listen to some of Lenore's wedding music online! Why choose organ for our ceremony? The sound of the pipe organ evokes pomp, circumstance, and majesty. It is also the most ancient of instruments, which means its presence in your wedding adds the weight of tradition in a way no other instrument can. Why choose piano for our ceremony? Quite simply, piano music evokes romance! It is a versatile instrument that may be virtuosic and joyful for a procession, and intimate and understated for interludes during the ceremony. Lenore has a wide variety of piano wedding music to offer, ranging from Beethoven to Enya. How do we choose the music? Music for weddings falls into three basic categories: Processional, Ceremonial, and Recessional. You may also wish to decide on music played before the Processional music, as guests are arriving. Lenore plays a fifteen minute "mini-recital" of festive organ or piano music before the ceremony begins. Processional music may include: Seating of mothers/grandparents/parents Entrance of bridal party Entrance of bride. Ceremonial music refers to anything played during the ceremony itself. It may include: Lighting of Unity Candle Music between readings Music after exchange of vows/rings Recessional music is simple: festive, upbeat music as the couple exits! It may include: Recessional Postlude What about additional instruments for the ceremony? Interested in combining trumpet, violin, flute, cello, vocalist, or any other instruments or musicians with organ or piano? Lenore has a quality network of musicians that she will engage for your ceremony if you so require. With over ten years experience as a music director, Lenore guarantees that the musicians she employs will be amply prepared and rehearsed to create excellent music for your ceremony. For an additional fee, Lenore will arrange music for special combinations of musicians if that is your preference. Combination of organ and piano-what are the options? Lenore is a professional pianist as well as organist; she holds a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance as well as her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Organ Performance. As such, Lenore is equally at home on either instrument and can recommend beautiful piano pieces if you prefer a more intimate atmosphere for your wedding. Many couples enjoy a combination of the two instruments during the ceremony. For example, you may want to enter and exit to the majestic sound of the organ, but use the different atmosphere the piano evokes for the lighting of the Unity Candle. How much will it cost? The fee for the ceremony including consultation and pre-wedding mini-recital is $300. This is typical and may be different in some circumstances. Contact Information Contact Lenore (lenore.alford@gmail.com) to set up a consultation for your wedding ceremony!