When selecting ceremony music, keep in mind the formality of your wedding, your religious affiliation, and the length of the ceremony. Also consider the location and time of day. If the ceremony is outside where there may be other noises such as traffic, wind, or people's voices, or if a large number of guests will be attending your ceremony, consider having the music, your officiant, and your vows amplified. Make sure there are electrical outlets close to where the instruments will be set up.

Before you start interviewing quartets and contemplating song selections, do your homework. Some ceremony sites and officiants may have strict guidelines about which music can -- and can’t -- be played during a ceremony. Secular locations may also have guidelines you’ll need to be aware of, setting limits on the noise or the space allotted for a band.

Consider the size of your venue when putting together your ensemble. For example, a huge brass quintet and a small chapel won’t be a match -- the sound may overwhelm the space. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, you probably can’t use a traditional piano, but if electricity is available, an electric piano will work -- complement it by adding a string instrument such as a violin or cello.

If you’ve got your heart set on a harp, make sure there’s enough room (they’re huge), and scope out a practical way to get it inside your site (it would be difficult to have to drag a harp through a kitchen, for example). If you’ll be outside, a harp may not be the best choice -- the sound won’t be as strong because it tends to drift upwards.