The best tips for selecting wedding music

Years later, most couples remember and still have a very warm place in their hearts

for the songs played at their wedding. Maybe you like the idea of having live musicians for your wedding ceremony but don’t even know where to begin with planning the music. If so, here is a quick summary of the six main sections of standard wedding ceremonies that call for music and a few options to get you started thinking.

1. Prelude– As guests arrive and are being seated (generally a selection by the musicians which  lasts 10 – 20 minutes)
   1. Traditional options: The Swan – Saint-Saens, Clair de Lune – Debussy, Meditation from Thais- Massenet
   2. Contemporary options: A Time for Us (Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet), Beauty and the Beast, Unforgettable
2. Processional– As the bridal party enters 
   1. Traditional options: Pacelbel’s Canon in D, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” – Bach
   2. Contemporary options:  Here Comes the Sun- The Beatles, Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
3. Bride’s Entrance– As the bride enters
   1. Traditional options: The Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) from Lohengrin –Wagner, Trumpet Tune – Purcell, Canon in D – Pachelbel
   2. Contemporary options: In My Life – The Beatles, Can’t Help Falling in Love, All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera
4. Interlude/Unity Candle/Sand Ceremony– During the Ceremony
   1. Traditional options: Greensleeves, Ave Maria – Schubert, Gymnopedie No. 1 – Satie
   2. Contemporary options: Everything I Do – Bryan Adams, One Hand, One Heart – West Side Story, Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
5. Recessional– As the couple exits
   1. Traditional options: Wedding March (Midsummer Night’s Dream) – Mendelssohn, Mouret – R0ndeau
   2. Contemporary options: Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles, Moon River
6. Postlude– As the guests stand and leave  (generally a selection by the musicians which lasts 5 – 15 minutes)
   1. Traditional options: La Rejouissance – Handel, Rondeau – Mouret, Autumn – Antonio Vivaldi
   2. Contemporary options: Can You Feel the Love Tonight – Elton John, What a Wonderful World – Louie Armstrong

Spending time with your fiancé picking out your music is fun, relaxing and will help make your music meaningful. But, if you don’t have a strong preference for any certain songs or music, experienced wedding musicians will be able to recommend appropriate songs that suit your tastes, whether they be more traditional, contemporary or unique.

Nothing like music has the power to express the emotion of a wedding ceremony, so if you’re looking for the secret to a more meaningful day, live musicians will bring the perfect touch to your ceremony.