Part 1 – Part 2
Music was an incredibly important part of our wedding day: it was the fabric that wove the hours together. My challenge and joy was to find melodies and lyrics that would guide us and our guests through the day (music, moreso than anything else, is one of our culture’s most recognized emotional and spiritual cues), that would also feel natural and at place for a wedding in the woods. These mixes are some of my favorite – they say so much about how I feel about life, about Andrew, and myself.

Our pre-ceremony mix was meant to provide a focus and a feel for the ceremony about to happen. As I’ve mentioned before, the party is wonderful but for Ace and I, the most important part of the day was the ceremony. We wanted to encourage our guests, with the mood set by the music as they arrived on site, to join us in our hopeful contemplation of this important step in our lives. The mix finishes out on a folkish note*, to ease into the performance of our fabulous live musicians, and ever talented friends, Joel Cathey and Faith Hefty.

I was standing up on the upper deck of our lodge when Faith and Joel began playing…I remember closing my eyes and listening to the ukulele strains of “Into the Mystic” floating up to my room as I paused and breathed for the first time that day. It was a deeply treasured moment when everything slowed down, for just a few seconds.

Unfortunately, the only recordings I have of their performance are these short videos shot by our Flippers. Have I mentioned them yet? I will soon!

*I included our songs for the seating of the grandparents and the processional at the end of this mix. They are both slightly edited down from their original songs (if you don’t have an editing software for music, get thyself a free one pronto! Goldwave saved my life in prepping the wedding music.)

After the introspective and contemplative songs that preceded our ceremony, it was time to celebrate! WE JUST GOT MARRIED, DIDJA KNOW?? Our post ceremony mix was full of songs that radiate joy and spark life, while still fitting in our easy-going feel of the day.

 

Tracklists are after the jump, in case indie singer/songwriters and old-school love songs are your jam.
You’ll probably notice throughout these music posts that I included backup songs. Because really, you never know if your musicians’ equipment is going to freak, or if the bride gets ready late and needs more filler music…or whatever. Better safe than sorry!

Pre-pre Ceremony

Here Comes the Sun – Yo-Yo Ma and James Taylor
Into the Mystic – Van Morrison
Northern Sky – Nick Drake
Crinan Wood – Alexi Murdoch
This Side – Nickel Creek
The Ragged Sea – Alexi Murdoch
All My Days – Alexi Murdoch
Wash Away (Reprise) – Joe Purdy
January Wedding – The Avett Brothers

Additional Backup Songs

I Shall Be Released – Bob Dylan
Stars – David Crowder Band
Awake My Soul – Mumford and Sons

Pre-Ceremony

Songs that were adapted for ukes, keyboard, and vocal harmonies by Joel and Faith.
Into the Mystic – as performed by The Swell Season
Here Comes the Sun – originally by the Beatles
Brown Eyed Girl – originally by Van Morrison
A Kiss to Build a Dream On – originally by Louis Armstrong
Awake My Soul – originally by Mumford and Sons
Christmas TV – originally by Slow Club
Aimless – written by Joel Cathey

Ceremony

Seating of the Grandparents

An edited portion of It’s Natural to be Afraid – Explosions in the Sky

Processional

Bowsprit – Balmorhea

Communion

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us – performed by Joel and Faith

Recessional

Indiana Jones Theme

Post-Ceremony

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da – The Beatles
You Aint Goin Nowhere – The Swell Season
How Sweet it is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
Sweet Inspiration – The Derek Trucks Band
I’m a Cuckoo (Avalanches Remix) – Belle & Sebastian
You Can Call Me Al – Paul Simon
Good Day Sunshine – The Beatles
Never Had Nobody Like You – M. Ward
Do You Believe in Magic? – The Format
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
The Time of Your Life – Randy Newman
You’re My Best Friend – Queen
Sweet Pea – Amos Lee
Let My Love Open the Door – Sondre Lerche
What is Life – George Harrison
Me and You (Bonus Track) – Slow Club

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