what is a prelude in a wedding

A prelude in a wedding is music that is played before the start of the ceremony as guests arrive and take their seats. It is usually played for about 30 minutes before the ceremony start time and consists of mellow and soft music that sets the mood for the wedding. The prelude music welcomes guests and creates a welcoming atmosphere for the wedding. The music played during the prelude should be a reflection of the couples wedding style and should work well with the rest of the music choices. The prelude can be played by an instrumentalist, an ensemble, a DJ, or from the couples own playlist. The number of songs played during the prelude can vary depending on how early guests are going to arrive.