Wedding Ceremony Suggestions
Below is a breakdown of a typical wedding ceremony with music suggestions for each segment.
We recognize the decision fatigue that may set on as you are wedding planning. When you book our services, we will give you as much guidance as you want with your music selection. Having performed for many weddings, we have a good idea of “tried and true” songs that complement a beautiful ceremony. We also realize that every wedding is unique, so we will help you create a mood that reflects you and your partner’s personalities.
Are you planning a different type of event or just want to hear more suggestions? Please contact us for more ideas.
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Prelude music will occur 30 minutes before the ceremony begins. This sets the mood for your guests as they arrive at the venue and find their seats. We typically play around 7-8 songs (depending on the song lengths).
Classical/Folk Suggestions:
Andante from String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 29 (Schubert)
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart)
Flower Duet from Lakmé (Delibes)
Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni)
The Lovers’ Waltz (Jay & Molly Ungar)
Salut d’Amour (Elgar)
Shenandoah (American Folk Tune)Modern Suggestions:
All of Me (John Legend)
At Last (Etta James)
Best Part (Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R.)
Bless the Broken Road (Rascal Flatts)
Girls Like You (Maroon 5)
Love Story (Taylor Swift)
Somewhere over the Rainbow (Wizard of Oz)
What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong) -
The processional is when the wedding party makes their entrance at the beginning of the ceremony. There are several ways a processional can occur depending on your own preferences or religious traditions. Many couples choose 2 songs for the processional: one for groom/Partner A and wedding party, and one for the bridge/Partner B. Sometimes couples may choose a separate song for their parents/important family members. When picking music, it’s important to keep in mind the size of your wedding party and length of the aisle. We will discuss timing of the music in depth once you book our services.
Classical Suggestions:
Air on the G String (Bach)
Ave Maria (Schubert)
Bridal Chorus (Wagner)
Canon (Pachelbel)
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach)
Jupiter from The Planets (Holst)
Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach)
Winter (Largo) from The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)Modern Suggestions:
All My Life (K-Ci & Jo-Jo)
Beauty and the Beast
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley)
How Long Will I Love You (Ellie Goulding)
Make You Feel My Love (Bob Dylan/Adele)
Perfect (Ed Sheeran)
Tennessee Whiskey (Chris Stapleton)
A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)
Wildest Dreams (Taylor Swift)
Your Song (Elton John) -
If your ceremony includes any significant rituals (i.e. a candle lighting, ketubah signing, handfasting, etc.), you may want to pick songs to accompany these moments. Song suggestions are the same as the processional.
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The recessional is when the wedding party exits the venue. This signals the end of the ceremony. You only need to pick 1 song, typically something upbeat to mark this joyful moment!
Classical Suggestions:
Hornpipe from Water Music Suite No. 2 in D Major (Handel)
La Rejouissance (Handel)
Ode to Joy (Beethoven)
Spring from The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke)
Wedding March (Mendelssohn)Modern Suggestions:
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye)
All You Need is Love (The Beatles)
Marry You (Bruno Mars)
Rather Be (Clean Bandit)
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) (Stevie Wonder)
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) (Natalie Cole) -
We will continue to play for a few minutes after the ceremony ends while your guests are transitioning to cocktail hour. You can pick 1 song,or we can make our own selection.
Classical Suggestions:
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 (Bach)
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart)
Minuetto (Boccherini)
Rondeau (Mouret)
Sleeping Beauty Waltz (Tchaikovksy)
Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke)Modern Suggestions:
Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles)
I Like Me Better (LAUV)
Married Life (Up)
My Girl (The Temptations)
Shut Up and Dance (Walk the Moon)
Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)