Generally speaking there are three very important pieces of wedding music for the ceremony you need to think about.
1. The Processional Music (The Bride Walking Down The Isle)
I would consider this wedding music choice should primarily be a decision for the bride but the other two should definitely be a joint decision. The choice should take into account the ability to walk at the same tempo of the song. As such the bride should be able to practice the walk wearing the wedding dress and shoes she would be wearing on the big day. It would ruin the occasion if the bride was seen to be almost having to run just to keep in time to the music. Just imagine if that run led to a trip on the long dress and high heels. Seeing the bride fall flat on her face would hardly be the most dignified way for everyone to remember your wedding day.
Don’t take that risk, practice that walk at that speed wearing the same dress and shoes. Don’t forget that the person giving the bride away (depending on local tradition) may also have to walk alongside the bride.
Looking for a classical wedding music choice?
1. The obvious one that has become a firm tradition but maybe overdone in your view would be The Bridal Chorus by Wagner. This is commonly called “Here Comes The Bride”. Every church organist has been asked to play this choice so may already know it by heart. Many people (including me) believe it sounds better on a classical piano rather than the traditional organ used in wedding music. Investigate what is available at your wedding venue.
2. Alongside this you could consider “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach“. This uplifting traditional tune is considered to be very romantic and is also a good choice for a religious Christian ceremony.
3. Again “Canon in D by Pachelbel” is a very traditional and extremely popular choice of music. Some surveys suggest that this is becoming the first choice of more and more brides running close to The Bridal March by Wagner.
A More Modern Approach For Your Wedding Music Choice.
1. “Make Me Feel Your Love as sung by Adele” I am tempted strongly to say this title says it all and it does. A first class romantic piece of music. In addition the words are so appropriate they can add to the effect. The song was written by Bob Dylan one of the best songwriters of today. Although he is not really best known for his love songs this one really works.
2. “Marry Me by Train” This is a safe choice if you are just lost in knowing what to choose. A modern romantic melody with some beautiful lyrics. I suggest you stick with the words version as they fit so well for the occasion.
3. “Kissing You by Desree” Yes, this is the song from the 1966 film Romeo and Juliet. Considered to be a fairly romantic song but maybe not for everyone. I wonder if it is fair to say anything about the classic Romeo and Juliet that is not romantic?
4. There are a large number of other songs being used as soundtracks for films which can be used as wedding music. You could, for example, try the “Glasgow Love Theme from Love Actually”.
Well that is the first piece of wedding music safely chosen. Although I did say that it should be the brides decision at the end of the day you do have the option of sharing it with your fiancee as well. He may have a particular dislike of that one tune. It is not worth bringing up any bad memories etc as a surprise on the day that is meant to the happiest day of your lives.
You also need to think about two other pieces of wedding music before your marriage ceremony is over.
Firstly your guests need to entertained whilst you are signing the wedding register together so we need some wedding music which will keep up the same atmosphere until you return. We will then deal with the exit or wedding recessional.
Wedding Music Whilst Signing The Wedding Register
Your choice of music here needs to be upbeat it is a happy occasion after all but also reflect the mood of what is happening.
1. If you are looking for something that is going to keep the emotional attachment then look at “Aria from Xerxes by Handel” it will definitely do the trick.
2 You should also think about “Air on the G String by Bach” this will keep people with you whilst relaxing and taking in the atmosphere you have already created.
3 “Sheep May Safely Graze by Bach” Again a relaxing and reflective tune. it is longer than the Air on a G string tune so could be grouped together.
4 Another smoothing wedding music tune suitable for this spot in the marriage ceremony would be “Bittersweet Symphony by Verve”. It is just about the right length for the time it takes to sign the marriage register and reappear but you could always have the Air on the G String if necessary as an additional standby as that is very short.
Wedding Music Suitable For The Recessional
The recessional march out of the church for the first time together as husband and wife. This is very much a question of individual taste and what message you want to leave with your guests.
Are you going for something traditional or something more upbeat and modern sounding? If you have had a fairly traditional wedding music right through are you staying with that or go for something different that will shake people up.
1 If you want something traditional go for “The Wedding March by Mendelssohn”
2 Hornpipe in D from The Water Music, Handel this tune was originally composed for royal family so will sound rather regal. But aren’t you both now the Lord and Lady heads of your new family. So what could be more appropriate as all eyes turn to watch you march down that wedding aisle together.
3 Go for something rather different to finish off with “”All You Need is Love by The Beatles“”. It may not be 100% true as you both still need to work to consolidate your marriage relationship vows together but on this day you can safely say All You Need is Love.
There we are! Three choices of Wedding Music you need to make well before the big day. You also have to think about using a live group of musicians or recordings. If the latter make sure your venue is already covered for copyright laws covering public performances of the wedding music you have chosen.
As I said that is the three wedding music choices I mentioned at the beginning of this article. However there is one more piece of wedding music that you may have forgotten about. What music do you want played for your first dance together as a married couple?
I don’t know your dancing skills so I leave that choice of wedding music down to you. However See this couple perform their first dance as a married couple. Be patient for the first two minutes and then follow their steps exactly for your wedding reception.
Classical Music for Weddings – Wedding March, Entrance, Waltz Music – Romantic Wedding Songs
Classical Music for Weddings. Wedding March, Entrance, Waltz Music. The Most Romantic Wedding Music of all time. Música clásica para bodas. Musique classique de mariage.
These are the best classical songs for every part of a wedding; the entrance, marriage vows, processional, blessings, readings from scripture or literature, family or community vows of unity, and an exchange of wedding rings or other gifts. This classical wedding playlist also includes the waltz for the wedding reception.
Thank you for watching this video by Live Your Dreams 2 Channel:
PLAYLIST:
1. “Canon in D Major” – J. Pachelbel (0:00)
2. “Bridal Chorus – Wedding March” – R. Wagner (5:44)
3. “Wedding March” – F. Mendelssohn (7:26)
4. “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” – G.F. Handel (12:29)
5. “Jesú, joy of man’s desiring” – J.S. Bach (15:50)
6. “The Flower Duet” – D. Lakmé (19:00)
7. “The Four Seasons, Spring” – A. Vivaldi (24:04)
8. “Waltz of the Flowers” – P.L. Tchaikovsky (28:01)
9. “The Blue Danube” – J.Strauss II (34:42)
10. “Messiah” – G.F. Handel (44:02)
“Canon in D major, Bridal Chorus, Jesu joy of man’s desiring” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
“The Four Seasons – Spring (Vivaldi)” by John Harrison with the Wichita State University Chamber Players (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Harrison_with_the_Wichita_State_University_Chamber_Players/The_Four_Seasons_Vivaldi)
“The Flower Duet – Léo Delibes” performed by Quartet de Quatre Saisons (https://archive.org/details/QuartetdeQuatreSaisonsFlowerDuet)
“Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” by Elias Goldstein with the Advent Chamber Orchestra (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Handel_-_Arrival_of_the_Queen_of_Sheba.ogg)
A wedding is a ceremony where two people are united in marriage. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes. Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of wedding vows by the couple, presentation of a gift (offering, ring(s), symbolic item, flowers, money), and a public proclamation of marriage by an authority figure or leader. Special wedding garments are often worn, and the ceremony is sometimes followed by a wedding reception. Music, poetry, prayers or readings from religious texts or literature are also commonly incorporated into the ceremony.
Music played at Western weddings includes a processional song for walking down the aisle (ex: wedding march) either before or after the marriage service. An example of such use is reported in the wedding of Nora Robinson and Alexander Kirkman Finlay in 1878.
Relevant wedding music includes:
– Various works for trumpet and organ, arguably the most famous of which include the Prince of Denmark’s March by Jeremiah Clarke as a processional, the “Trumpet Tune” by Henry Purcell and the “Trumpet Voluntary” by John Stanley as recessionals.
– Selections by George Frideric Handel, perhaps most notably the “Air” from his Water Music as processional and the “Alla Hornpipe” as recessional.
– The “Bridal Chorus” from Lohengrin by Richard Wagner, often used as the processional and commonly known as “Here Comes the Bride”. Richard Wagner is said to have been anti-Semitic, and as a result, the Bridal Chorus is often not used at Jewish weddings.
– Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D is an alternative processional.
– The “Wedding March” from Felix Mendelssohn’s incidental music for the Shakespeare play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, can also be used as a recessional wedding music choice.
– The “Toccata” from Charles-Marie Widor’s Symphony for Organ No. 5, used as a recessional.
– Segments of the Ode to Joy, the fourth movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
– Other alternative wedding music considerations include various contemporary melodies like Bob Marley’s One Love which is often performed by a steel drum band.