Classical Wedding Music Ideas
Choosing the Best Pieces for a Traditional Wedding Ceremony
Ideas for classical wedding music before, during, and after the ceremony, along with top tips to help decide which pieces to choose and when to play them.
Most couples like to include music in their weddings and there are many opportunities. For a church wedding, usually the organist will play, but if the wedding ceremony is in your home, or in a garden, there are four times when music can be played.
These are
- when the guests are arriving
- during the entrance of the bride (processional)
- during the wedding ceremony
- at the end of the ceremony when the couple walk back down the aisle (recessional).
The secret of choosing successful music is to stay within the theme. If the wedding is to be traditional, select traditional wedding music and do not mix and match.
Music as the Guests Arrive
Before the service begins, when people are arriving and taking their seats, a medley of favourite classical music could be played. If you decide to have live wedding music, check the repertoire of the musicians ahead of time to ensure that the music is to your taste.
- If recorded music will be used, there are several wedding CD compilations on the market such "Romantic Piano", available from Amazon.
- If you don’t want piano music, consider something by the same one or two instruments such as a collection of harp and flute music. Look for "Romantic Music for Flute and Harp" featuring works by Bizet, Debussy, Ravel and Tchaikovsky.
- Julian Bream´s "Ultimate Guitar Music volume 2" is lively background music with a romantic undertone.
Processional Wedding Music
The exciting moment when the bride is about to arrive, can be announced to the guests by music with a wonderful trumpet fanfare. This should be no longer than two or three minutes, depending on the length of the aisle. The music should end within seconds of the bride reaching the altar. Look for Baroque music:
- "The Prince of Demark’s March" with its rousing trumpet solos is a favourite for wedding music and is just over two minutes long.
- "Lohengrin: Treulich gefurt - Bridal Chorus” composed by Wagner. There is a beautiful Alleluia sung to the music, or it can be without the voice. This piece is five minutes long, so would have to be modified.
- "Suite de Symphonies no 1" )1st movement, Rondeau), composed by Jean Joseph Mouret. Ideally timed at just under two minutes, it begins with trumpets and tympani and moves to organ music.
- "Let the Bright Seraphim" by Handel. Another delightful piece which has singing accompanied by joyful wedding music. More than five minutes long, it would have to be faded out.
Music During the Wedding Ceremony
During the ceremony, most couples choose at least one song or hymn. Select something that is simple to sing so that the guests will enjoy it. Some popular hymns are
- "Praise My Soul the King of Heaven"
- "Now Thank We All Our God"
- "Love Divine All Loves Excelling"
Another possibility is to have a wedding singer who could sing an entire wedding song on their own, or the first verse of the hymn with the guests joining in thereafter.
Recessional Wedding Music
At the end of the ceremony, celebratory music can be played as the bridal party walk back down the aisle. Consider
- Vivaldi’s "Four Seasons" – Spring or Autumn
- "Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring" by Bach
- "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven
See also: Contemporary Wedding Music Ideas, Wedding Reading Ideas and More Wedding Reading Ideas, Wedding Readings for Children
