So I'm back again having done a bit more research and could really do with some expert help. I don't want to bother the church organist at this point in the year but really could do with some more ideas to put to my dear OH so he's given a "choice" rather than a fait accompli.

I'm really lucky in that we have an amazing organist with a good quality 3 manual organ, so not really restricted by difficulty (recent voluntaries include March by Lefebure-Wely, Toccata Giocosa - Mathias and the all saints thingy by Langlais, which admittedly wasn't quite to my taste, although I could appreciate the technique required!)

Therefore I'm quite happy to give the organist free reign over the music before my arrival, anything he fancies and considers appropropriate

So far, for my entry I really like the Fanfare by Lemmens. Any comments or anything similar in style, or other suggestions very welcome, but I don't want "Here comes the bride"

Signing of the register, probably one of my friends will sing a solo (Ave Maria - Schubert), alternatively or additionally, a selection of Rutter anthems by the choir would take a fair few of us back to school days.

Hymns, got a list of 12 I keep flitting between - the only definite is Love Divine - Stainer. Other possibles include Praise to the Lord, The Almighty, Lord of all Hopefulness, Tell Out My Soul, Breathe on me Breath of God and Be Still for the Presence of the Lord.

Exit wise, my favourite so far is the Mulet Carillon-Sortie, which I fell for when I heard it played as a voluntary after the service. Also like the obvious Widor, but would prefer something more uncommon, but of a similar style to those to. Looking for something longish to give people at the back of the exit queue something to listen to!

Thanks in advance

R

The Lemmens and Mulet are excellent choices (assuming the organ, the acoustic and the organist are all up to the job).

I would be like a dog with a number of appendages if a wedding couple came to me with those suggestions. Chapeau.

I've played the Lemmens very successfully for weddings and people seem to like it. I've also played the Ceremonial March by Herbert Sumsion which seems to go down well. I think the things you've suggested so far seem lovely

Glad my choices would be appreciated by organists!

I know the Mulet works with the normal organist in the church with a normal Sunday congregation - and generally it's a good acoustic - not too echoy but not too dry either. Not heard the Lemmens in church though, but think it should work given the voluntaries I have heard. Still got my ears open on Sundays - the voluntary is always set out in the weekly service sheet. Last couple of weeks have been at the more modern, discordant end of the spectrum and the best voluntaries turn up when OH is on call and therefore not at church!

If the organist can play the Mulet then the Lemmens piece will give him no major challenges.

As Mr.B said, it's so nice to have a wedding couple who dont ask for Wagner/Mendelssohn or if they want to be different, Widor / one of the trumpet voluntaries. I don't think i've ever heard of anyone having the Mulet before so you'll definitely have ticked the 'different' box - though this surprises me as well!

I hope you have a lovely day of it.

I played it for a couple fairly recently. It works very well.

Hi there,

The Dubois Toccata is a jolly piece to finish with, easy on the ears, virtually sight-readable by a skilled organist, and is long enough to keep the chatterers entertained.

The Mathias Processional is also quite jolly, although not quite as long. Dare you not to skip!

Cheers.