Top 10 Traditional String Wedding Music Songs
There are many beautiful classical pieces string wedding music. These are what I believe are the ten most popular for wedding ceremonies.
String wedding music is elegant and understated. It stands alone and creates a sophisticated elegant mood. To add royal grandeur to the bridal entrance, add a fanfare before the bride on fanfare trumpets or add a trumpet, organ, brass quartet or quintet to the bridal processional song. I am suggesting songs below that this works especially well with.
1 Canon in D by Pachelbel
This beautiful and elegant song has a calm sophisticated sound. It is commonly called Pachelbel’s Canon and is often seen spelled in its original German spelling of kanon. Because of its mellow sound it is often used for bridesmaids or for brides that would like an understated elegant entrance rather that a grand royal entrance. This song is probably the most famous string wedding music.
2. Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach
You may not be familiar with the name of this song but I think almost everyone will recognize it. It is understated and elegant and often used for mother’s seating, bridal party or for an elegant bridal entrance.
3. Wedding March by Mendelssohn
This song is the traditional song for the recessional (bridal party exit music at the end of the wedding ceremony). You will recognize this one right away. Most Catholic and some other churches do not allow this song because it is not a sacred song.
4. Bridal Chorus also known as Here Comes the Bride by Wagner
This is the most traditional song for the bridal processional and is familiar to everyone. It is so recognizable that it is only used for the bride and would not be a good choice for the bridal party. If it is used people may stand, expecting the bride. Most Catholic and some other churches do not allow this song because it is not a sacred song.
5. La Rejouissance by Handel
This grand piece is used for processionals and recessionals. Adds a royal flair to your wedding. Some brides and grooms add brass or organ to bump it up another notch.
6. Trumpet Voluntary, J. Clarke
This wedding song is also commonly know as The Prince of Denmark March. You will also find the Trumpet Voluntary incorrectly listed as being composed by Purcell. It is often confused with Trumpet Tune which is another wedding song. The Trumpet Voluntary is most commonly performed on the trumpet but sounds elegant performed by violin, string quartet and other string wedding ensembles. For a more grand entrance, add a trumpet to your string trio, string quartet or string orchestra.
7. Air on the G String by Bach
Often called Air from Suite in D, This subdued beautiful song will make your heart melt. Most often used for prelude, unity candle, sand ceremony, mother’s seating, it can be breathtaking for a bridal entrance.
8. The Hornpipe from the Water Music by Handel
This Upbeat Royal sounding music is used most often for the wedding recessional (the bridal party exit back down the aisle after the ceremony). This song couldn’t be more celebratory sounding. It is also occasionally used for the bridal party or bride processional. To make a jaw dropping celebratory song, add trumpet, organ, brass quartet or quintet.
9. Ave Maria by Schubert
This song is beautiful and reflective with a subdued quality. Used commonly for prelude, unity candle, sand ceremony and mother’s seating it is also used often for bridal party processional music and bridal entrance music. This song is perfect for church weddings and is a standard for Catholic weddings. There are many composers that have written songs named Ave Maria so make sure to specify to your wedding musicians. The Schubert Ave Maria is most often confused with the lesser known but also beautiful Ave Maria by Bach.
10. A Little Night Music by Mozart
This piece is most commonly referred to with its German name Serenade from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. This song will be very familiar to your guests. It can be used for all parts of the ceremony.
Two more popular string wedding music songs to consider
Trumpet Tune by Purcell and Rondeau by Mouret These two songs are best known for being performed on brass instruments but are very commonly played by solo violin, string quartet and other wedding string music ensembles. They are used for all parts of the ceremony except unity candle and sand ceremony. For extra grandeur and trumpet, organ, brass quartet or quintet.
Now it’s time to decide which wedding string ensemble is the best for your wedding. You may choose from everything from solo violin to string orchestra. Click here for tips for selecting the perfect string ensemble for you and lists of wedding string ensembles. For more wedding music tips & ideas visit our blog.
How to Use Music For the Events of the Wedding Reception
There are many different events of the wedding reception that will be greatly enhanced by music. Here is a guide on helping you in your choice of wedding reception music for the various events that make up a wedding reception.
This is a list of the events that are traditionally accompanied and enhanced by music with descriptions on how it can be done effectively.
Cocktails
If you are having a cocktail hour before your guests enter the main room you can hire a small pop or jazz group, classical musicians from your ceremony, solo guitar, or many other small ensembles. Many brides and grooms hire a small ensemble from within the reception band or musicians from the ceremony because they can receive cost savings.
Music Preceding the Bridal Party Entrance
Traditionally the reception band performs background music while your guests find there tables and await the wedding party entrance. If you would like to get the party started right away you can request dance music.
Introduction of the wedding party
The typical format for the introductions is having the music start while an announcement is made by the reception band that the bridal party is about to enter. Music is played throughout the introductions. The music is played softly as the names are announced and louder as they make entrances. Another option is to have fanfare trumpeters play a fanfare before each name is announced and the band play only as they are they are entering.
First Dance
The first dance of the wedding couple is one of the most special events of the wedding reception. All good wedding bands will be happy to suggest traditional songs for this or fill your special request.
Mother/Son and Father/Daughter Dances
Ask your wedding band for a list of popular songs for these or make special requests. If you only know one dance step, make sure that you request something that will work well with that dance.
Toasts
The wedding reception band can play a fanfare. announce the toasts and introduce each toastmaster. Those proposing the toast should talk with the wedding band during cocktails to be shown microphone technique.
(A helpful article about proposing toasts) http://honeymoons.about.com/od/weddingsaway/ht/wedding_toast.htm
Cake Cutting
Music is played for the cake cutting and for the announcement of the cake cutting. The announcement is made and music is performed as your guests gather for the event. You can request a special song or have the traditional “The Bride Cuts the Cake” performed.
Garter and Bouquet
Some brides and grooms choose to omit some of these events. All of these events are accompanied by announcements, narration and music by the reception band.
- Taking off the Garter: The groom takes the garter of the bride. “The Stripper” is the traditional song but many brides make special requests or just request the wedding band select something more subtle.
- Garter Toss: Music accompaniment or a drum roll until the garter is caught.
- Bouquet Toss: Music accompaniment or a drum roll until the bouquet is caught.
- Placing of the Garter: The recipient of the Garter places the Garter on the leg of the bouquet recipient. “The Stripper” is the traditional song but many wedding couples make special requests or request that the wedding band select something more subtle.
Departure of the Bride and Groom
The wedding band announces the departure of the wedding couple and performs music as everyone gathers for the rice, bird seed or confetti throwing or bubble blowing.
These are some of the traditional events of the wedding reception that music are used in conjunction with.
MusicRemembrance.com offers the top wedding bands in Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Central Florida and we’ll be glad to customize music for these and other events that you may add to your special day.
