Many brides contemplate the idea of playing CDs during their wedding service. As a wedding music consultant, I discourage this practice for a number of reasons listed below.

You should also be aware that many churches have strict policies about the use of pre-recorded music for services.  In some churches it may not be permitted at all during services!

Why not?

To the discerning listener, the experience of recorded music does not have the same "presence" as live music.   CDs are often considered by guests as a cheap and pale imitation of the experience which can be enjoyed with music performed by well trained musicians.    Recorded music is analogous to fake flowers vs. real flowers,  fake marble vs. real marble,  synthetic fibres vs. natural fibres,  real cream vs. fake cream!  Let's face it, recorded music is what you take home to listen to when you want to be reminded of an experience of attending a live performance!

From a practical point of view, CDs and recorded music will not "tailor" the music to meet the needs of ceremonial actions.  Skilled liturgical musicians, especially and organist or keyboard player,  will tailor the length of music selections to suit the ceremonial actions of your service such as the length of the procession.  (Sometimes, even well rehearsed processions do not go according to plan.  You do not want to be waiting for a long time at the steps of the altar while a selected piece of music runs its course, or worse, to find the music is "faded out" just as it reaches its musical highpoint!)   Skilled professionals give the impression of a "seamless" and smooth flowing service.
CDs and untrained musicians will not do this!

Many christian churches including the Catholic church don't allow CDs on the grounds of liturgical principles, which require that music be performed by music ministers, that is, real people who carry out a service role in the church community.   CDs may provide a "backdrop" of music, but are contrary to the principles of ministry and undermine liturgical interaction.

Other considerations

CDs and recorded music also require someone to operate the system.  This means the operator also needs to understand the structure and flow of your service.   You also run the risk of the operator starting the music at the wrong time,  selecting the wrong track,  or forgetting to engage the music altogether…...unlikely you think….It has been known to happen!

Also, don't expect the organist or musicians to operate your CD player or the church speaker system for you!   This is not in their "job description" and is akin to them promoting the competition's product and undermining their own function.

Copyright. ©  The use of some recorded music may require the permission of the publisher and/or record company. Performances of copyright recordings, captured on video, may also be illegal unless the appropriate licenses are obtained.   This is especially important if you wish to make copies of your wedding videos for distribution to family and friends.   Music publishers and copyright owners are becoming much more vigilant about enforcing copyrights, and infringements are being more aggressively pursued and prosecuted.   Don't be misled by personal assurances of your celebrant or friends that this "won't be a problem"!   Just read about cases of personal prosecutions to see how serious this is!   Performance licenses held by most churches generally DO NOT cover "synchronisation"  (the process whereby music is captured on film).

Solutions

Most brides usually only want a CD to play a particular song or favourite piece of music. If you really, really want a particular song,  especially one which may be purely a love song or which does not reflect the sacred aspect of marriage, consider having it played at an appropriate time during your wedding breakfast or banquet, or at the reception venue.