Wednesday, 8 May 2013

Your Wedding Soundtrack

Must Have's and Must Not's in Your Wedding Song List in the Mango Farm Venue

One can get crazy in choosing the repertoire of wedding songs. Even the most tone-deaf in Manila will hum a romantic tune once in a while, and though we are not as obsessive as Gloria Pritchett in celebrating the first kiss, first tryst and so on and so forth, some songs are dearer to the hearts – especially of newlyweds – than others. Not all are suitable for public consumption though, and there have been Filipino weddings that are remembered best not for the fantastic wedding reception at the chosen venue, but more for the colorfully picked wedding songs.


Gerard and Vanessa | "This is not the end" | same day edit from John de Guzman | Cinemaworks on Vimeo.

Music for Picture Taking at the Church

One portion of wedding songs where the couple has free rein is the taking of pictures while still in the church, though after the wedding ceremony. For around thirty photos or more by all the wedding photographers, one is not limited to church songs to fill in the time. One of the worst songs to be sung in this interim is a choral rendition of Lift Up Your Hands as performed by Basil Valdez. The line “Cast your burdens upon me, those who are heavily laden” does not really promise much hope for the future of the couple. Ngayon at Kailanman may be a better choice for a wedding song while still in church, if one were really a die-hard Basil fan.

Another common mistake is Rey Valera's Sinasamba Kita. While the title does connect the church venue, worship and love, a closer look at the lyrics shows obsession, rather than a healthy two way relationship. Side A tones down a bit on this obsession with their more romantic Forevermore, and could still pass through the religious atmosphere even with the pop influence. You could even consider an oldie but goodie Panalangin by the APO Hiking Society, if you want the worship theme to be more visible.


Vicky and Peter: Same Day Edit from For You Are Mine on Vimeo.

Music for Celebration at the Mango Farm Venue

Once you get out of the church and into the Mango Farm, your options widen. With no priest or stern faces of Jesus, Mother Mary and all the saints, you could even play No Diggity without any qualms at all. Just don't have it played several times in a row for a half-hour remix. There are other songs in the world after all.

An opportunity to play music is while the guests are still arriving from the church. Hold back from playing any dance music this early and remember that the party is just beginning. Stick to the classics – jazz, Bach or Mozart from a string quartet does wonders to your guests' appetites. This is fill-in music, so keep the volume down but the excitement still up for the occasion. After the speeches and the tinkling of glasses, then you can put on your dancing shoes and play Annie Batumbakal, In the Mood or Dancing Queen as loud as you want and to your heart's content. The Mango Farm venue can take it. And the trees love music too.

Hitting the Notes in Your Repertoire

One way not to make mistakes with the wedding songs in your repertoire is to sit down with your beloved and list down all the songs you want played, from the church to the Mango Farm venue. Don't worry, you are sure to have more songs in your list than you really need. Then pass down the list to your best man and maid of honor to take out the uncool songs. You may even want to ask the management of the Mango Farm if they have suggestions to further remove songs from your list – after all, the venue would have more experience in the matter than all of you.

Just remember to hit the major notes – love, hope and celebration, and you won't go wrong with any wedding song played in the Mango Farm.


Ron and Anna | Same Day Edit "Mango Farm" from John de Guzman | Cinemaworks on Vimeo.

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