Music sets the mood and the tone of the ceremony.

Be sure the DJ or musicians start playing 30 minutes before the ceremony is to begin. There is an elegance to having your guests walk into the place where the ceremony will be, see the beautiful flowers and other decorations, and hear soothing music — typically, classical instrumental music. If the music is not playing when they arrive, your wedding lacks something.

There is no right or wrong music to play at a ceremony. Well, hard rock might not fit so well. But most of the songs sung on American Idol would work well. Most couples choose classical music for it fits the elegance of the day.

Where can you find music you might want to have played at your wedding? Your DJ or musicians will certainly have ideas. But I would encourage you to listen to some music yourself and see what you like.

• The Knot Collection of Ceremony and Wedding Music
  
  
  selected by The Knot's Carley Roney. It includes 5 prelude (before the ceremony), 7 processional (as parents, bridesmaids/groomsmen walk up), 5 interlude (to be played during the ceremony) and 6 recessional (as the new Mr. and Mrs. Followed by the bridesmaids/groomsmen walk down the aisle at the end of the ceremony) selections from Bach, Beethoven, Handel and others.
  
  
• Bride's Guide to Wedding Music
  
  
  has 18 classical selections. A colleague of mine says it is the best one.
  
  
• 25 Wedding Favorites
  
  
  has, you guessed it, 25 classical selections.

Give the DJ or the head musician a copy of the final script — all 10 to 15 pages of it. You will get it about ten days before your ceremony — if you have a platinum (full service) or gold (standard service) ceremony. Use a yellow highlighter or red pen to mark their sections. Then they will know exactly when to play. Not just sometime during the lighting of the unity candle but after I say these exact words. It will make the ceremony go much more smoothly.