We draw
upon
the world's secular and religious traditions,
respecting
the perspectives of both doubter and believer.
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to design the kind of ceremony we wanted, with excellent suggestions. We were really pleased. “Our families, from different backgrounds, were
thrilled,
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© 2024, Vern Barnet, Kansas City MUSIC Music-live
Musicians,
Advice for
Music-recorded
PHOTOGRAPHY Photography
Photographer,
Advice for
Videography
WEDDING PLANNER-COORDINATOR Wedding Planner
Wedding
Planner, Advice for LIMO Limo
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Music -- live and recorded For many
reasons,
For many family-focused weddings or other intimate
ceremonies, either no music or live music
might be more in
keeping with the atmosphere, since recorded music tends to create a
sense
of artificiality instead of the immediacy appropriate for such
meaningful
occasions. (Recordings, from a technical and artistic perspective, can
be problematic.) A friend of mine says recorded music at a wedding is
like paper plates and paper cups and plastic folks at a dinner
at
a mansion. Harp Tabitha Reist Steiner, tabithanan@yahoo.com, is one of Kansas City's many wonderful harpists. She is shown above. Flute and Harp Duo
===============================
Flute and Guitar
(either
or both)
---------------------------
Beau is a world-famous guitarist who lives in Kansas
City. Visit is website with his bio and extensive resume: ---------------------------
Jim Lammers is an adjunct guitar
instructor at the University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory ---------------------------
---------------------------
Luke Guillory Welsh -- multi-instrumentalist (guitar,
piano, accordion, and drums), former music teacher ---------------------------
ALSO =============== Violin
Keyboard Ensembles
Any Instrument
Recorded music¶ While I do not
usually
recommend recorded music, Pilgrim Chapel has a Bluetooth speaker. If
recorded music is what you want, please check with
the Pilgrim Chapel staff to prepare by sharing your playlist,
preferably Spotify, via text to the Chapel phone, 816.753.6719, for
queuing.
Photography Rebecca Knechtel 913.299.7972
Many other fine photographers may be available. Photographers may find this helpful. Videography Josh Munyan 913.850.8139
Limo Mike Algusin -- (913) 713-8096
#coordination Coordination -- Wedding Planners Do-it-yourself planners may find this NYTimes article helpful: wedding planning apps While weddings at Pilgrim Chapel do not require
a wedding coordinator, some couples prefer to retain Kim GarnierSome wedding planners -- at least when it comes to the wedding ceremony itself, from Processional to Recessional -- are questionable and can easily throw off what you want. I am amazed by the number of planners I have worked with who fail even to think of faux flowers for the bride to carry during the rehearsal, a choreographic detail especially important if a photographer is engaged for the wedding itself. (I know nothing about hiring a trolley for the wedding party or arranging for the bride's hair and such; but concerning the ceremony, you would be shocked.) If you engage a wedding planner or co-ordinator, insist that he or she consult with me so that we are "on the same page." Some brides have complained to me that they feel like they have to ask permission from the planner for what the brides want. Don't let your planner's preconceived idea of how you should have your own wedding overrule how you want your wedding to be. Working with Wedding
Planners
here.
FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS: Every wedding is different, and some of this may not apply to the wedding you are photographing. Still, some of the considerations may be useful to you. 0. I appreciate the care photographers take
in creating images by which a couple may remember and celebrate their
wedding.
Though Pilgrim Chapel's size has its challenges for photography, it is
an extraordinary facility that lends itself to beautiful pictures.
If you have not been to the Chapel, these outside and inside photos and chart may help
you prepare. 1. I work with each couple to plan a wedding that
best suits their wishes. This
link outlines a sequence many couples
find useful as the basic structure for their ceremonies. Check
with
me about variations. 2.
I usually arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony (15 minutes for a brief
rental). Unless the paperwork has been executed earlier at a rehearsal,
as soon as possible, I prepare the
license and
certificate
which
the couple will have placed on the altar-table. Then I find
the
two
witnesses
and invite them to sign in the side room. You may want a photo of that,
or reenact the signing at some point. Doing the "paper-work" before the
wedding gives the couple a chance to enjoy their guests right after the
ceremony or be available for photos without an interruption
for
the witnesses signing the documents. 3. Except for a
brief ceremony with few guests,
usually after I am vested, just before the ceremony is to begin,
I greet
the guests informally from the nave (main
floor) with a few instructions,
such
as "Let's follow the traditional practice of standing when
the bride appears." 4. You will want to know among the various entrance,
processional, and arrival styles, which
will be used,
coordinated with
musicians or sound engineer. 5. When the dad sits down, I formally welcome everyone to the happy occasion. Then I motion for an attendant to take the flowers from the bride for most of the rest of the ceremony. At least that is the plan! 6. You may want to photograph any readers or other
participants as the ceremony proceeds. You may want to check with me
about how the
presentations, if any, will be made, how vows (often from scrolls)
and rings will be exchanged; and if
the couple has selected special rites such as a "unity candle" or
"hand-fasting,"
how that can be best photographed. I routinely discourage music except
before and after the ceremony proper. 7. After I pronounce the couple married, an embrace
is customary. Then I turn the couple to face their guests and motion
for
the bride's attendant to return the flowers to the
bride.
8. The ceremony usually concludes with everyone standing for the final benediction. 9. Among various options for recessionals and
exits, you will want to know what the couple wants.
10. If the couple wants a photo with me after
the ceremony,
I'll be guided by your advice. If the weather permits, some couples
like outside the front door with the couple on the sidewalk and me
behind them on the
steps. 11. Let me know if you have questions. 12. Thank you for making wedding images to cherish. The
Reverend
Vern Barnet, DMn
11. MASKS.-- Inside the building I will be masked. I do not require you to be masked, but it is a reassurance to others who may be masked about safe practices during the ceremony. (Ceiling fans and a floor fan in the chancel insure good ventilation.) If the weather is prohibitive, I can remove my mask for a moment after the guests have departed. (This is subject to change depending on community health measures.) #musicians FOR MUSICIANS: 1. If you have not been inside Pilgrim Chapel yet, here are some photos, including many interiors, that may be helpful. Musicians usually sit on the right (south) side between the front pew and the chancel (platform) area. 2. Bring your own music stand if you need one. Read
this if you think
you might need amplification.
The Chapel is quieter if all the pews are filled (72 guests), but the
stone walls, and wood pews, ceiling, and floor, with carpeting only in
the chancel, make this a wonderful venue for live music. 3. I will greet you soon after I
arrive and outline the ceremony and answer any questions you may have. 4. Except for a very brief ceremony with few guests,
usually after I am vested, just before the ceremony is to begin,
I greet
the guests informally from the floor with a few instructions,
such
as "Let's follow the traditional practice of standing when the bride
appears." If you are playing prelude music when I appear to present informal greetings,
you
can find a phrase to stop or continue playing in the background.
Often I conclude the informal greeting by lighting candles on the
altar-table. 5. You'll want to be clear about prelude and processional music and cues for when to begin. 6. Here is a
possible basic sequence
for the ceremony. I'll let you know of any variations that woud affect
your performance. Most ceremonies (from the Welcome to the Benediction)
run between 12 to 20 minutes. 7. I discourage music during the ceremony, even "background" music. You and I will honor the couple's considered wishes, however. 8. Usually the ceremony ends after the couple embrace, I turn them toward their guests, I ask the guests to stand, and I offer a concluding benediction. My last word is "Amen" or maybe "Go party!" Then you begin music for the recessional or departures. I embrace live music at weddings. The gift of
your music will make it a genuine occasion. Thank you.
Amplification equipment Musicians needing amplification for weddings I have performed at Pilgrim Chapel have brought their own equipment as I don't think the Chapel has any. Most instruments, including acoustic guitar, don't need amplification because the acoustics in the Chapel are so good, but of course electric guitars do need amps. (Live music is so much better than recorded music because it makes a ceremony somehow more immediate.)When couples have had ceremonies video-recorded, I've sometimes been asked to wear a mike for the recording to pick up the bride and groom (as well as me), but not for amplification in the Chapel which is usually not necessary. Pilgrim Chapel was built for the Lutheran Congregation of the Deaf, and it is a wonderful irony that the Chapel acoustics are so perfect. I've performed well over a hundred weddings at Pilgrim Chapel, and a microphone has never been used for the ceremony (except for video-recording, which was not heard over any loudspeaker). I advise keeping things as simple as possible. I hate microphones. (Yes, I was provided one when I was in India and spoke to 500,000 on the banks of the Ganges River, but Pilgrim Chapel is indoors, and a bit smaller venue.) A microphone-loud speaker system is not necessary. It gets in the way. The acoustics in Pilgrim Chapel are splendid. The Bride and Groom will surely be able to hear each other, which is what counts. I suggest vows on paper, rolled up like scrolls, to dramatize the vows for those in the back pew who can see what you are doing even if they miss a hearing word or two. If you really want a sound system (you may need to rent it), of course I will cooperate because the wedding should be what you want, but you have my opinion about it as an unnecessary and troublesome complication. #BasicSequence A Possible Basic Wedding Sequence Witnesses sign the marriage documents (unless this was done at a rehearsal) Minister greets guests informally Lighting of candles Prelude and Seating of parents and special guests ------ Processional, often with music Welcome by the minister Consent and Presentations Prayer if desired Reading(s) if desired Exchanging Vows Exchanging rings [Any special rite such as Unity Candle] Pronouncement and embrace Benediction [all standing] Recessional |
A guitar, harp, flute, a string quartet or other solo instrument or
small
ensemble will make a joyful sound in Pilgrim Chapel. Live music can add
drama and dignity -- and even fun -- in a way recorded music cannot.
