Do I have to have an organist?

looktothefuture

SO dream fairytale church is booked but do I really have to have an organist to play the wedding march as I walk down the aisle?

I'm sure they'll be able to play the music instead of having the organist there!

fannyadams

not sure if the music licence is different for recorded music (your CD of wedding march) or live music (the organist playing the wedding march)...

although organists are expensive

geri1965_2

You could try asking the church.

looktothefuture

We have to have the verger because it's a sunday just before the sunday service so he'll have to clean up the confetti but after looking out yourchurchwedding.com I don't think I do have to have the organist.

pokey128

we got told we didn't have to have him and could use a quartet/ipod instead if we would rather. The minister then told us the organist was £60 for the day so we just used him and I'm so glad we did- the organ in our church was huge though and really filled the room

C_Mababejive

I always think theres nothing quite like to sound and feel of a big organ in full flow...

Modern tunes can be adapted to this grand instrument..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtzeowlbkjs

looktothefuture

I have spare cash set aside for the organist but I'm just not feeling it - I'd prefer to be piped into my wedding but my OH thinks I've gone crazy when ever I mention it! None of my friends or family know a scots piper even though my family is scottish! LOL!

monkeymonkey_3

You'd really be best to ask the church about it. You don't have to have an organist, but I know with ours, the organist fee is statutary charge which the church make, so we would have to still pay it even if we didn't want the organist to attend :cool:

It seems weird to me, but we wanted the organist anyway, so I suppoase it doesn't really matter.

Sammy85_2

Some churches still charge if you dont want the organist, often organists are "contracted" for so many performances a year, particularly where someone has to be brought in specially when there isnt a competant player in the congregation.

Our church charges £50 which was completely optional.

To me, i have to have the organ, not having the organ playing is like removing the heart from the church.

If you really would rather not have the organ playing you should speak to your churhc, You also might need to consider what you will have to accompany hymns?

looktothefuture

I think i better explain why I don't want to have the organist... I really can't bear the sound of them - they just hurt my ears!

I'm dropping in our form to him this afternoon so I'll ask him about the organist.

Thanks everyone!