The Wedding Music Guide
Service Element Details Popular Selections
Prelude

We will perform approximately 30 minutes of music before your wedding begins. We will construct an interesting and appropriate set from our extensive selection of mood-setting classical pieces.

Some couples want specific pieces to be played (or not played, as the case may be) during the Prelude. If you have a special request (or strong opinions) about the Prelude music, don't hesitate to communicate your preferences.


Seating of the Mothers

Much suitable music exists for this part of the wedding. There is really only one consideration: if you have a large number of people to be seated, and a long aisle, you will want to choose something sufficiently long. Music can be repeated, but some tunes "wear out" quickly.

Air on the G String - Bach
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach
Sheep May Safely Graze - Bach
Sinfonia - Bach
Air - Handel
Trumpet Voluntary - Stanley
Bridal Attendants

The considerations that apply to the seating of the mothers also apply here: aisle length and number of participants. If you have 11 bridesmaids, 6 flower girls, 2 camels and a dancing bear, you will need something like the Pachelbel Canon. If you have 2 bridesmaids and a ringbearer, you can still use the Canon, but you could also use something much shorter.

Air on the G String - Bach
Sinfonia - Bach
Air - Handel
March - Handel
Canon in D - Pachelbel
Bridal Processional

Aisle length applies here as well, but in the opposite respect: if you have an outdoor wedding with a 20 foot aisle, you might not want to use the Pachelbel Canon, as it will barely be started and you will be at the altar.

Bridal Chorus - Wagner
Canon in D - Pachelbel
Marche - Charpentier
Trumpet Voluntary - Clarke
Air - Handel
Trumpet Tune - Purcell
Unity Candle - Service Music

Music for the Unity Candle can be one of the most difficult selections to make. If everything goes to plan, the lighting of the Unity Candle may take less than 30 seconds. Often, couples request a special song that may last as long as three minutes. While this seems like a short time in normal life, in "wedding time" it is very, very long. If you don't think so, try this experiment: set a timer for three minutes and stare at one, unmoving object for the entire time. That's what your guests will be doing.

It is perfectly acceptable to have no music at all here, and that has become an increasingly common choice.

On the other hand, never forget that this is your wedding. If you have always wanted a certain song played at this moment, or if you want some time in the wedding to stand and gaze in each other's eyes, or if you are having a mid-service event that may be time-consuming (such as a communion) don't hesitate to make your request. Just remember those three minutes.

Meditation - Massenet
Ave Verum Corpus - Mozart
One Hand, One Heart - Bernstein
Over the Rainbow - Arlen
Recessional

This is music for the exit of the bride and groom, attendants, and sometimes the mothers and grandmothers. Traditionally it is livelier music than the processionals.

Wedding March - Mendelssohn
Hornpipe - Handel
Trumpet Tune and March - Clarke
Trumpet Voluntary - Stanley
The Yellow Rose of Texas - Trad.
Postlude

We usually play an additional piece after the bridal party has exited (and after any announcement or dismissal from the officiant), for the "public" exit. This should also be lively, similar to the music of the Recessional.


Frequent Guide Questions

Can i listen to these songs?
Yes. Just click on a title and you'll hear an mp3 stream of the song. Please note that these samples are made with a computer, not real instruments.

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What about the groom?
Traditionally, no music is played for the entry of the groom. In church weddings, the groom and minister usually enter from the front, after the seating of the mothers, and walk just a few feet to their final position.

For outdoor weddings, or indoor weddings where the groom and groomsmen are actually walking the aisle, brides are increasingly requesting that they enter to the same music as either the Mothers or the Bridesmaids.

Bride and Groom