How to Plan Your Wedding Ceremony Music
The wedding ceremony music tends to be softer, usually classical wedding music or ballads. There should be about five songs played as a prelude when the guests are seated, then a special song when the mothers of the bride and groom are seated.
There are two songs during the processional, one when the bridesmaids enter, and the most dramatic as the bride walks up the aisle. The most joyous music is played in the recessional, when the bride and groom leave together.
There can be special songs at different points in the ceremony, such as after exchanging the rings and vows, lighting the unity candle, or taking communion. Some churches have rules about wedding songs used during your ceremony so be sure to ask your clergy person or officiant!
What Music is Best?
The Prelude
When guests start arriving at the ceremony location. Classical wedding music is most appropriate here.
1. Air from Water Music ~ Handel
2. Air “on the G String” ~ Bach
3. Arioso ~ Bach
4. Canon in D ~ Pachelbel
5. Canzona Per Sonare No. 2 ~ Gabrieli
6. Die Bankelsangerlieder ~ Anonymous
7. Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral ~ Wagner
8. Flower Duet ~ Delibes
9. If Thou Be Near ~ Bach
10. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring ~ Bach
11. Renaissance Dances ~ Susato
12. Rhosymedre ~ Vaughn Williams
13. Sheep May Safely Graze ~ Bach
14. Sleeper’s Awake ~ Bach
15. Sonata “Saint Mark” ~ Albinoni
16. St. Anthony’s Chorale ~ Brahms
The Processional
When the bridal party and the bride make their entrance. A Classical piece is traditional here.
1. Air from Water Music ~ Handel
2. Air “on the G String” ~ Bach
3. Allegro Maestoso from Water Music ~ Handel
4. Arioso ~ Bach
5. Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) ~ Wagner
6. Canon in D ~ Pachelbel
7. Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral ~ Wagner
8. Flower Duet ~ Delibes
9. If Thou Be Near ~ Bach
10. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring ~ Bach
11. La Rejouissance ~ Handel
12. Ode to Joy ~ Beethoven
13. Overture to the Royal Fireworks ~ Handel
14. Prelude to Te Deum ~ Charpentier
15. Prince of Denmark’s March ~ Clarke
16. Rhosymedre ~ Vaughn Williams
17. Rigaudon ~ Campra
18. Rondeau ~ Mouret
19. Sheep May Safely Graze ~ Bach
20. Sleeper’s Awake ~ Bach
21. Trumpet Tune ~ Clarke
22. Trumpet Voluntary
The Recessional
As the bride and groom walk back down the aisle and out of the ceremony site.
1. The Wedding March ~ Mendelssohn
2. Allegro Maestoso from Water Music ~ Handel
3. Hallelujah Chorus ~ Handel
4. My Spirit by Joyful ~ Bach
5. La Rejouissance ~ Handel
6. Ode to Joy ~ Beethoven
7. Overture to the Royal Fireworks ~ Handel
8. Prelude to Te Deum ~ Charpentier
9. Procession of the Nobles ~ Rimsky-Korsakov
10. Rondeau ~ Mouret
11. Trumpet Tune ~ Clarke
12. Trumpet Voluntary
(Princess Diana’s Recessional) ~ Clarke
13. The Wedding March ~ Mendelssohn
Audio Samples
Rondeau – Mouret
Air “on the G String” – Bach
Flower Duet – Delibes
Canzona Per Sonare No. 2 – Gabrieli
La Rejouissance – Handel
Ode to Joy – Beethoven
Sheep May Safely Graze – Bach
Prelude to Te Deum – Charpentier
Trumpet Tune – Clarke
Trumpet Voluntary – Clarke
Water Music – Handel
The Wedding March – Mendelssohn
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