Using fanfares and fanfare trumpets can make any Orlando or Florida wedding or event regal and dramatic.  This article gives a brief description of fanfares and list some of the many ideas for using them to make your Orlando wedding or event dramatic and memorable.

Fanfares are usually short pieces of music played by trumpets or other brass instruments and sometimes accompanied by percussion.  Fanfares are used to announce kings and queens, before announcements to gain audience’s or guest’s attention, important parts of events, events involving dignitaries, the beginning of television and radio news shows, at the winning moment in video games.  Some fanfares are full pieces, such as The Fanfare for the Common Man by Copeland, but these are not as commonly used for events.

When fanfares are seen played in movies, they are usually performed on fanfare trumpets.  Fanfare trumpets are the long trumpets used for playing fanfares that can hold banners. They are also referred to as herald trumpets, coronation trumpets (because the are used for coronation of kings) or ceremonial trumpets.

Today, fanfares played by fanfare trumpeters, trumpeters, brass quartets, brass quintets, brass choirs and brass ensembles are commonly used in weddings and events.  For extra drama or a regal atmosphere banners can be hung from the fanfare trumpets and the fanfare trumpeters can be dressed in a variety of costumes.   Some wedding couples have special banners with their names or initials on them and some events use banners with company or charity logos or names.  Here are some of the many ways that fanfares and fanfare trumpets may be used in weddings and events.

 FANFARES AND FANFARE TRUMPETS IN WEDDINGS

There are many uses for fanfares and fanfare trumpets in wedding ceremonies and receptions.  These are some of the most effective.

Wedding Ceremony Music

• Fanfare Trumpets play a fanfare after the bridal party entrance and immediately before the bridal processional (the bride walking down the aisle).  This gives a royal tone fit for a princess and lets the guests know that it is time to stand for the bridal processional.
• At the end of the ceremony a fanfare is played before the priest/minister/officiate announces “Mr. and Mrs…  This can be done several ways.  One effective way is for the officiate to say I now present to you [short fanfare is played] Mr. and Mrs…

 Wedding Reception Music

• Fanfare trumpets play fanfares at the end of the wedding cocktail hour to announce when it is time to move to the dinner location. The fanfare trumpeters perform a fanfare to get your guests attention and then either the trumpeters, or a chef standing in-between them, announces that “dinner is served” as the doors to the dinner room open.
• Fanfare trumpets play a fanfare to announce the bridal party entrances.  This helps get all guests attention and makes the entrances dramatic.  Some wedding couples use fanfares before each bridal party member enters after their names are announced.  Some brides and grooms reserve the fanfares for when they are announced.
• For large weddings, fanfare trumpets are used before every event of the wedding ceremony to get everyone’s attention e.g. cutting of the cake, toss of the bouquet, exit of the bride and groom.  These fanfares are coordinated with the wedding band leader who announces the events.

FANFARES AND FANFARE TRUMPETS FOR EVENTS

Fanfare trumpets make any event dramatic and regal.  These are a few examples of the many ways that fanfare trumpets can be used during events.

•  Fanfare trumpets are used during events to gain guests attention for announcements e.g. “Dinner is served.” “The silent auction closes in ten minutes.” “Please go outside for the fireworks.”
•  For events with awards or prizes being given fanfare trumpets make the presentation exciting.  “And the winner is,” fanfare played by fanfare trumpets, “John Smith”.
•  Fanfare trumpets for morning events or meetings really wake everyone up and get them ready to participate.

To find out more about using fanfares and fanfare trumpets at Orlando, Tampa and Florida weddings and events, please visit the Music Remembrance web site or contact Music Remembrance.