Wedding of Susan and Kieran

Can we all just take a minute and bask in how cool this wedding photo is??

Now we can begin!

Susan and Kieran's wedding had to be one of the most fun weddings we've ever had the pleasure of working with. It took place on the first of March 2014. We played music for the Ceremony in St Patrick's Church, Trim Co Meath and then the drinks reception in Boyne Hill House Estate, Kilkarn, Navan, Co Meath.

They found us through The Gealach Trio on Google and it turned out that Susan knew our pianist William and how talented he was so that fully confirmed their decision!

Susan and Kieran opted for our 'Get Here' package which is our trio special and then added the drinks reception. William and Philip joined Kerry giving their ceremony choices great versatility and a fullness of sound. Here's what pieces they chose for their ceremony:

Entrance: Canon D

Kerry took piano on this while Philip and William took Violin. A beautiful accompaniment to Susan's entrance! Susan had heard this being played at another wedding William had played at and knew this is what she wanted.

Lighting of first candle: Instrumental

Will played She Moved Through the Fair on piano here. 

Psalm: none

Susan and Kieran opted for a spoken Psalm instead.

Lighting of Single Candle: Instrumental

Will again did a small piano solo. This time it was Amazing Grace.

Gifts: A Mhuire Mhathair

This is a very popular piece for this point in the Mass. Kerry sung this, Philip sang harmonies and William played the piano.

Sign of Peace: Instrumental

We chose the stunning Tabhair Dom do Lamh here. Played by Philip on the fiddle and William on piano.

Communion: May the Road Rise

Philip sang this while William accompanied on piano. This was one of Susan's favorite pieces on the day and it very popular with all our couples.

Communion 2: Ave Maria

Philip, a high baritone, took this classic and William accompanied on piano.

Signing: To Make you feel my love

The Bob Dylan classic was sung by Kerry and accompanied by William.

Signing 2: Just Breathe

Kerry jumped at the opportunity to sing a bit of Pearl Jam! William accompanied. Susan and Kieran were delighted we could learn this for their day as Pearl Jam are also one of their favorite artists.

Leaving:I Can't Help Falling in Love With You

This is fast becoming one of our most popular choices and boy do we love to play it! We do the trad/ceili Lick the Tins version. Kerry took whistle and vocals while Philip played Fiddle and William on piano. There only complaint about this song is that they headed off down the aisle too early and missed out on hearing it!

For the drinks ceremony we played a mixture of classical, popular and trad music.

"We searched on google for wedding music and found the Gealach - as it happened I knew one of the Band members (Will) and knew how talented he was so that confirmed our choice. You really have little contact with the musicians during the day so it makes it more personal to meet beforehand. This also helped our decision in choosing the group. We had music for the church and reception pre-dinner so fee was good value. We would definitely recommend using these musicians. Absolutely no hesitation. The group exceeded expectation ."

How to Pick Music for a Catholic Wedding Ceremony

Catholic wedding ceremonies still top the poll as the number one way to get married in Ireland. However, with falling mass numbers and a declined interest in the Church I find a lot of couples I work with have no idea what music they'll be allowed at a Catholic ceremony, never mind where to put it.

Unless you're quite up to date with how masses and weddings work, choosing the music can sometimes feel like a difficult and daunting task. This is my easy guide to how to pick your music.

Firstly decide on what kind of ceremony you want. Do you want a trad sound to your ceremony or would you prefer it to sound more classical? Would you like a mixture of all different types of music or do you want to keep it firmly within a theme?  This is very important to decide early on as it will determine what type of musicians you choose.

Next figure out where your budget is. If you can only afford a solo singer and an accompanist then just book that. If your budget can stretch to including an extra singer or a string quartet then go for it. Keep in mind that your budget may effect the songs your choosing or the sound your after. For example having a gospel sounds with just a singer and a guitar as opposed to four singers and a guitar is going to be quite difficult. If your budget is stretched pick singer or musician that can play more than one instrument. With my group, The Gealach Trio, we all play at least three instruments to give you a fuller sound and a wider scope for the music you can pick.

Check everything with your priest. And I mean everything! Ask him very early on what rules he has for music. There is nothing worse than finding out a week before your wedding that you're going to have to change your music.

Now it's time to pick your pieces. I have laid out each part of the mass below. I have also included ideas of music for each. Keep in  mind most musicians will have a repertoire far larger than these few songs and they are here just to give you a guideline. Most musicians will also be open to learning new pieces requested for the day.

Processional
This is where the Bride takes her walk up the aisle. As this is outside of the mass most priests are quite open to suggestions here, within reason. I always suggest thinking on something that has a nice pace that you can comfortably walk to. When you imagine yourself walking down the aisle, as most women have, what can you hear in the background. I always try and think of that piece of music as a soundtrack to you seeing your future husband at the top of the aisle. If you're still drawing a blank why not think of a piece that means a lot to you and the person walking you down the aisle as it's a very special moment to them too.

Examples:

Canon in D
The Voyage
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Annie's Song
Bygone Days

Individual Candle Ceremony
So you've made it to the top of the aisle in one piece and now it's time for you both to light two separate candles on the alter to represent your individual selves. Background music is beautiful here but my advice is to always think of it as just that, background music. This process takes all of a minute usually so you definitely don't want anything that goes on too long and ruins the pace of the ceremony. Instrumental music seems to work best here but if you're determined to have a song keep the length to just the first verse and chorus. This ceremony happens outside of the mass so again most priest and quite flexible.

Examples:

Songbird
She Moved Through the Fair
Lascia Chio Pianga
Raglan Road
Nella Fantasia

Psalm
In between the two readings we have the Responsorial Psalm. The clue is really in the name of this one... Response. The hymn should have a chorus that is repeated throughout. This is 100% a place you can not include anything non religious or instrumental. Some priest will sometimes allow other hymns here that aren't psalm so long as they have a religious meaning. If you aren't keen on having a sung piece here having a spoken psalm is also an option.

Examples:

Be Not Afraid
Eagle's Wings
Ag Chriost an Siol
The Lord is my Shepherd
Here I am Lord

Alleluia
This takes place after the second reading has been completed. It last for around 30 seconds. I love having the Alleluia sung as I feel it really introduces the Gospel beautifully but you can also have it spoken.

Lighting of the Unity Candle
After you've been pronounced as husband and wife you light the Unity Candle form your two individual candles on the alter representing you both coming together as a couple. Much like with the first candle ceremony this happens really quickly so don't pick anything that goes on for ages. The second candle lighting happens during the mass so if you want a song at this point it will more than likely have to be religious. Some priests will be happy with having an instrumental piece here that is non religious though.

Example:

Amazing Grace
Tabhair Dom do Lamh
Inisheer
Song of Ruth
I Watch the Sunrise

Offertory
This is the part of the mass that the gifts of the bread and wine (communion) are brought to the alter. This is usually done by the mothers of the bride and groom and so I think having an Ave Maria or any piece about Mary here is always beautiful as a representation of the mothers. This is a sacred part of the ceremony and so it must be a hymn used or some priests may be open to having an instrumental piece here.

Examples:

Serenade to Spring
Ave Maria (Gounod)
Ave Maria (Schubert)
A Mhuire Mhathair
As I Kneel Before You

Holy Holy
The Holy Holy can be sung but generally we choose not to. I feel that having the singers sing all the responses it can really slow the pace of the whole ceremony. You can always have it sung though if this is something that you want.

Our Father
I really don't know why this has become a trend in recent years as I'm really not a fan. Singing the Our Father is certainly an option but I think it takes away something from the ceremony. Even for someone that barely enters a church chances are they're going to have some memory of this prayer. Even other faiths use the Our Father. It's the one place that the majority of your congregation are comfortable and know exactly what's going on. I personally think it's so much nicer spoken. However if there is a version of it you love and really want it performed at your wedding we're happy to do it.

Sign of Peace
Music during the Sign of Peace is also quite a new thing for wedding but unlike the Our Father I love this one. Having a piece of music here gives you a little bit of time to breathe. You can go down of the alter and shake hands with your family and some of your guests and be congratulated for the first time. It's a really lovely moment. Choose something religious here or check with your priest if you'd like an instrumental.

Examples:

Make me a Channel of your Peace
May the Road Rise to Meet You
Dona Nobis Pacem
Peace Perfect Peace
Seek Ye First

Communion
We're on the home stretch now! We usually advise you to pick two pieces for communion, if you have loads of people at your wedding though you may want to pick more. Both pieces will have to be religious, most priests are usually quite strict about this part as it's the centre of the mass. Again some priest though will be slightly more laid back and will allow something instrumental.

Examples:

Panis Angelicus
Pie Jesu
Caccini's Ave Maria
Ave Verum
Give Me Joy in my Heart


Post Communion Reflection
After communion some couple choose to have a poem or a piece read. We can provide backing music to that if it is something you'd like. The piece should always be very simple though and instrumental so as not to take the focus away from the reading.

Signing of the Register
This is my favorite part as you have much more freedom here. The mass is now over so you now have free reign, to a certain point. We usually put two songs in here also to give you time to sign and also to have some photos taken. I always encourage the bride and groom to pick a song each at this point as it makes the process a little more personal.

Examples:

Make You Feel my Love
You Raise me Up
Just Breathe
Better Together
Just the Way you Are

Recessional
We're on our way out now and I find most couples want to be dancing down the aisle on the way out! Pick something upbeat. Get the party started early and get your guests singing and dancing along with you.

Examples:

Somewhere over the Rainbow
I Can't Help Falling in Love with You (Trad version)
Viva la Vida
My Girl
Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Once you've chosen your pieces and cleared them with your musicians check them over with your priest again!

On the day ensure that the church will be open for them to set up and always provide them with an emergency contact number.

Most, including ourselves, will play before the ceremony starts and one or two tunes when it ends. We generally try to stop around the time the wedding is due to start to prevent the bride from waiting at the bottom of the aisle to make her entrance!

Thank you for taking the time to read my guide and hope we will work together in the future. If you'd like more information on myself or The Gealach Trio please email info@weddingsbykerry.com

Kerry Coventry- Black is the Colour

The Bridal Trial Guide

"But do I really need a trial?"

You'd be surprised at the amount of brides that still ask this question. And the simple answer is YES! Most make up artists, including myself, will include the trial as part of a package deal but even if they don't it's definitely a necessity.


(Do you want to risk this happening on your wedding day?!)

You wouldn't purchase your dress without trying it on first, would you?

Well your make up should be treated exactly the same way. It will not only make you feel a lot more relaxed about the style and products you've chosen but it will also make things a lot easier for your make up artist in the morning. While a bridal trial can take anything from 45 minutes to 2 hours your wedding day make up should happen a lot quicker. I don't think any bride would fancy telling her awaiting husband at the alter that she's an hour late because she couldn't decide if she wanted a soft smokey eye or a defined cut crease!




(Soft and natural style bridal make up on Kirsten Stewart)

The trial is also a time to work out how well you connect with your artist. Remember that they are going to be an integral part of that morning and will be there from the crack of dawn until you are ready to leave. This morning is stressful enough where even the most laid back of bride's can turn into the terrifying bridezilla, don't laugh this is exactly what happened to me!, so you want a person that's going to stay calm, smile and try to make you feel better. If you don't feel a connection at your trial with this person then my advise is not to book them. Harsh but true.

So what are the steps before booking your trial with an artist?




(artist at work)

Firstly I would say narrow down your style. It's rare people turn up to the hairdressers without a picture of their chosen doo and you should think of your make up like this. Celebrity weddings and bridal catwalk shows are a great place to start, so get Googling. Does your wedding have a theme? Should that theme be reflected in your make up? If you're going for a shabby chic, homemade wedding is a full on Kim Kardashian face really going to fit? Do your research and start to save some pictures.

Now it's time to find your artist. I'll try and keep this section as non biased as possible ;) First find someone who seems to have experience with your chosen style. Look for someone that has a good reputation, has worked or trained with some reputable companies or schools and that asks you loads of questions. The questions thing sounds like a strange one but it's something I feel is very important. I send my brides a full on questionnaire about their skin, their style, their current make up choices etc. That way I'm not still faffing around on the day on the trial still deciding what to do. 


(vintage style wedding make up)

Please, please, please don't fall into the trap of having someone unprofessional but cheap from down the road do your face. If your tempted just Google the horrific infections that can be passed on by dirty brushes or make up of someone that doesn't know what they're doing. Or if you're at all squeamish don't and just take my word for it! If your eyes are weeping on your wedding day it should be from happiness and not from the beginnings of an eye infection.

Send your artist loads of pictures! All those pictures that you've been collecting, send them! Also why not send them pictures of yourself where you really like how your make up looks?


(Kim Kardashian Wedding Make Up)

Now it's time to organize the actual trial. I generally try to do mine 4 or 5 months before the wedding. Trials will usually take place at the artists home or studio. The reason for this is that they generally have a much larger choice of products by doing it from here. Most will also give you the option of doing it from home but may charge a small travel fee.

One thing I suggest is to have your trial done in the morning. Remember that on your wedding day your application will be taking place quite early and you need to make sure the application lasts all day. By getting it done in the morning you'll have a better idea of how it's going to wear off. Remember it can sometimes take up to two hours to decide on the finished look so make sure you've given yourself loads of time.

What can you do to make your trial go a little easier?

 
(the wedding morning)

First of all my big no no is not being the right colour. This may sound a little crazy, or even racist, but nothing riles me more than a bride who is going to wear tan for her wedding turning up at her trial without it. This really throws the whole session. Firstly it's going to make choosing a foundation nothing short of impossible and secondly certain looks are going to look extremely different with and without tan.
Although it's not necessary wearing something white on top can really help as again it gives you a better idea of how the whole thing will come together.
If you're planning on having your hair up on the day, stick it in a high pony or bun. If you're having in down, leave it down. Your hair doesn't have to be exactly how it will be on the day but having it similar definitely doesn't hurt. I even have a veil and some headpieces in the house to give us a fuller impression, and a bit of a laugh!

Take pictures. I have a professional Nikon that I use with all of my trials. We take a lot of photos. With flash, without flash, inside and outside. If your artist does not offer this then bring a camera with you and take loads of pictures.

Bring someone with you! The whole entourage might be a little bit distracting but having one or two with you makes the whole process a little more fun and gives you more opinions. I even offer additional trials for Bridesmaids and Mothers of the Brides for a small extra fee.

 
(Christina Aguilera with the wrong foundation colour)

Things to observe in your artist. Are they warm, friendly and affable? Did you have fun at your trial? Did they ask you loads of questions? Did their make up kit and brushes look clean? Was their application technique hygienic? Are you happy with your final look?
If the answer to any of these questions is no.... you might want to start looking for another artist.

So have you made your decision? Happy with your artist? Then book them! If not don't be afraid to turn them down and start looking again. I usually follow up my trials by sending lists of the products we used and the pictures taken so that even if you haven't fully decided you have all the information from the trial.

I hope this blog helps some of you brides out there and I wish you loads of luck in your future!

Kerry

Website: www.weddingsbykerry.com