List of Articles: Helpful Event & Wedding Music Tips & Ideas
Music Remembrance Articles Table of Contents
Wedding Music
Wedding Music Tips
- Wedding Music Guides & Tips
- How To Save Budget on Wedding Music
- Wedding Ceremony Music Planning Guide
- Wedding Music Do’s & Don’ts
- Lists of Wedding Brass Ensembles & Tips for Using Brass Music
- Is Classical Music The Best Choice For My Wedding Ceremony?
- Choosing Your Wedding Ceremony Music, Tips and List of Ensembles & Music Styles
- How To Organize Your Wedding Ceremony Music & Classical Songs For Each Part Of The Ceremony
Wedding Music Ideas
- Ideas for Personalizing Your Wedding Music
- Fun Wedding Ceremony Music Ideas
- Find Your Perfect Wedding Music: 50 Different Wedding Ensembles To Choose From
- Great Wedding Themes
- Ideas for Using Fanfare Trumpets
- New Orleans Style Wedding Parade For your Wedding
Wedding Song Lists
- Songs To Walk Down The Aisle To
- Songs For The Bouquet Toss
- Classical String Wedding Music Songs
- Traditional Wedding Ceremony Music Songs & Tips
- Wedding Music Song Lists
- Father & Daughter Dance Songs
- First Dance Songs
- Classical Pieces For Each Part Of Your Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Reception Music Tips
Event Music
Tips for Hiring Wedding & Event Musicians
- How To Hire The Best Orlando Event Jazz
- How To Hire The Best Orlando Brass Musicians
- Choosing The Best String Musicians & Lists of String Ensembles
- How To Hire Musicians The Right Musicians For Your Wedding or Event
- Tips For Hiring Event Musicians
- Find Your Perfect Wedding Music: 50 Different Wedding Ensembles To Choose From
Orlando’s Music Remembrance Musicians
- Music Remembrance’s Orlando Musicians-About Music Remembrance
- Music Remembrance Service Area & Types of Events We Provide Musicians
Event Music Tips & Ideas
- Ideas For Using Fanfare Trumpets
- New Orleans Parade For Events & Funerals
- How To Spice Up Your Convention or Meeting With Live Music
- Looking for A Theme for Your Event? List of Great Event Themes
Singing Telegrams Ideas
Romantic Serenade Ideas
Tips For Musicians
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.
Wedding Reception Songs for the Bouquet Toss
There are so many wedding reception songs to choose from for your 
bouquet toss. You can choose from many styles of music and many themes. Some of the themes:
- Come & get it (the bouquet)
- Focused/driven (on getting the bouquet)
- Ladies
- Getting a man
- Fighting (over bouquet)
- Pretty or sexy ladies
Many of the songs are simply stating the theme. Some wedding reception songs are lighthearted and comical for the toss e.g.
- “Eye of the Tiger” (focused/driven theme)
- “Another One Bites the Dust” & “Love Is A Battlefield” (fighting over the bouquet theme)
- “It’s Raining Men” (getting a man theme)
Good wedding bands start with the chorus section of the wedding reception song. The chorus contains the title of the song so that everyone understands the connection to the bouquet toss.
Suggestions for selecting your themes and song
- What is the overall theme and vibe of your wedding and does the song reflect your style? e.g. Is your wedding sophisticated and classy? Is your wedding focused on being a party? Would something funny reflect your personal style? Make sure your song is suitable.
- Who are your guests? Is Grandma going to be uncomfortable if you have the ladies lined up with “I Wanna Sex You Up” playing or is there a better choice?
- Check out the lyrics of the songs you are selecting. Do they reflect your theme from for the bouquet toss song & wedding theme? Is there something offensive, insensitive to personal situations or unfitting for your wedding? An easy way to research this is to google the lyrics.
Wedding Reception Songs for the Bouquet Toss
A Little Less Conversation – Elvis Presley
All I Wanna Do – Sheryl Crow
American Woman – Lenny Kravitz
Another One Bites The Dust – Queen
Applause – Lady Gaga
Bad Boys – Inner Circle
Bad To The Bone – George Thorogood
Big Girls Don’t Cry – The Four Seasons
Bonnie & Clyde – Beyonce and Jay-Z
Boombastic – Shaggy
Brick House – The Commodores
Business Time – Flight of the Conchords
California Girls – Katy Perry
Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe – Barry White
Candyman – Christina Aguilera
Chapel Of Love – Dixie Cups
Clumsy – Fergie
Come and Get It – Badfinger
Come and Get It – Selena Gomez
Cosmic Girl – Jamiroquai
Country Girl – Luke Bryan
Diva – Beyonce
Drunk Girls – LCD Soundsystem
Earned It – The Weeknd
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
Feeling Good – Michael Buble
Findin’ A Good Man – Danielle Peck
For The Cool In You – Babyface
Four Kicks – Kings of Leon
Foxy Lady – Jimi Hendrix
Genie in a Bottle – Christina Aguilera
Get Lucky – Daft Punk
Girl On Fire – Alicia Keys
Girlfight – Brooke Valentine. Big Boi & Lil’ Jon
Girls – Beastie Boys
Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
Girls – Beastie Boys
Girls, Girls, Girls – Motley Crue
Glamorous – Fergie featuring Ludacris
Gunpowder and Lead – Miranda Lambert
Haven’t Met You Yet – Michael Buble
Here Comes The Hotstepper – Ini Kamoze
Hey ladies – Beastie Boys
Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar
Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani
I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor – Arctic Monkeys
I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me) – Jay-Z
I Know What Boys Like – The Waitresses
I Put A Spell On You – Creedence Clearwater Revival
I Wanna Sex You Up – Color Me Badd
I’m A Slave 4 U – Britney Spears
I’m So Excited – The Pointer Sisters
I’m Still A Guy – Brad Paisley
I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred
Independent Women Part 1 – Destiny’s Child
It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls
Jealous Guy – John Lennon
Just A Girl – No Doubt
Keep Your Hands To Yourself – Georgia Satellites
Killing Me Softly – Fugees
Ladies Night – Kool & The Gang
Lady Marmalade – Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim, Mya & Pink
Le Freak – Chic
Lisztomania – Phoenix
Little White Church – Little Big Town
Livin’
Wedding Song Lists and Wedding Music Guides
These are my favorite wedding song lists and wedding music selection guides. I have chosen these because they are the most complete lists, with the exception of the “Top 2015 Wedding Songs”. I added this last one because brides and grooms selecting their music today will find this helpful. When selecting music I suggest starting with the “Traditional Wedding Ceremony Music” and “How to use Music for the Events of the Wedding Reception” so you may see how many songs you made be wanting for which parts of the wedding ceremony and reception. The song lists cover traditional, current and all styles of music. I hope that all brides and grooms and wedding planners will find these helpful. Please let us know in the comment section and feel free to” share”. Visit our blog for more wedding music tips and ideas articles.
Wedding Music Guides
Helpful wedding music guides that will help you plan all the music for your wedding ceremony and reception.
How to Use Music For the Events of the Wedding Reception
Wedding Music Help: Do’s & Don’ts
Great Budget Saving Wedding Music Tips
Over 50 Music Ensemble Choices For Your Wedding
Wedding Song Lists
Helpful song lists that will help you choose music for every part of your wedding ceremony and wedding reception
Wedding Music Tips and Song Lists
Traditional Wedding Ceremony Music
Complete List of Bride Entrance Songs
Traditional String Quartet, Trio, Duo and Violin Wedding Songs
Father and Daughter Dance Songs List
First Dance Songs For Your Wedding Reception
We hope these guides and song lists are helpful for you. If so, please leave us a comment below.
For musicians, singers, ensembles and bands in Orlando, Florida contact Music Remembrance. http://www.MusicRemembrance.com | 407-240-3945 | Andrea@MusicRemembrance.com
Traditional Wedding Ceremony Music, Song Lists & Tips
For those planning their wedding music a good place to start is to know what the traditional pieces are for a wedding ceremony. There are two pieces that are the most traditional.
- Bride: Bridal Chorus by Wagner
- Recessional: Wedding March by Mendelssohn
- Mothers/Grandmothers Seating Music: Pachebel’s Canon in D
Processionals: - Bridal Party: Jesu,Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach (also commonly used: Trumpet Voluntary, by Clarke or Trumpet Tune by Purcell)
- Bride: Bridal Chorus by Wagner
- Sand Ceremony or other ceremony with music: Ave Maria, Schubert
- Recessional: Wedding March by Mendelssohn
Below is a list of pieces that often substituted for the traditional wedding music above. They are very commonly used and considered traditional wedding ceremony music too. When using traditional wedding music, it is customary to save the grandest pieces for the bridal processional and the wedding ceremony recessional. Some choose to have a somewhat grand and upbeat piece for the bridal party also, while others select something more subdued thus highlighting the bridal processional. Traditional music for the Mother’s/Grandmother’s seating and the background music for the sand ceremony and other ceremonies is more traditionally more subdued. Some couples that want to highlight the joy of the occasion and choose upbeat pieces for these also.
Common Alternate Selections for the Bridal Party Processional, Bridal Processional and/or Recessional
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach
- Canon in D by Pachebel
- Ode To Joy by Beethoven
- La Rejouissance by Handel
Alternate selections for Sand Ceremony or Mother’s Seating Music
- Ave Maria by Bach
- Ave Maria by Schubert
- Spring from the Four Seasons by Handel
- Winter from the Four Seasons by Handel
- Meditation from Thais by Massenet
-
Air On A G String by Bach
Have more wedding music questions? Please feel free to contact author Andrea Rowlison.
Great Budget Saving Tips for Wedding Music
Photo by Sterling Photography, Orlando, FL.
Looking for ways to save on your wedding music? Here are some great ways to save money.
Top 6 ways to save money on your wedding music
- Wedding music is charged by the number of musicians performing. To save money think of using a solo performer such as a guitarist, violinist, pianist or organist. If you would like an ensemble consider using a smaller one. Did you know that string trios and duos are available as a substitute for string quartets. Brass quartets are a wonderful substitute for the more traditional brass quintet.
- Some instruments are more expensive than others. This has to do with expense of the instrument and availability. Harp and bagpipes are some of the most expensive instruments and brass ensembles, solo trumpet and fanfare trumpets are some or the most economical.
- If you have the ability to have your wedding ceremony at a non-traditional time you can receive significant savings. Friday evenings and weekends are the most expensive. You can often save money by having a morning wedding on a weekend or a weeknight ceremony. If you are able to have a weekday wedding you will receive the highest discounts and can often save on many of your wedding vendors fees.
- Professional wedding musicians cost more than part-time musicians. This is one area where I would recommend spending money. It is better to have one great professional musician than a group of part-time musicians. With a full-time professional you are assured of professional musicianship, punctuality, proper attire and deportment, expertise in coordinating wedding music with wedding planners and officiants and expertise and experience in smoothly executing wedding processionals (walks down the aisle) with all sizes of wedding parties. Most people would prefer to hear a wonderful professional solo violinist rather than an out of tune, squeaky sounding string quartet. I feel that punctuality is probably one of the most important things to pay for. A musician that performs for a living understands that leaving enough time for traffic jams and flat tires is part of the job on your big day so that everything is perfect for you.
- If you are having music for your wedding ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, using the same musicians holds big savings. Here is one example: For the ceremony use solo classical guitar, the same versatile guitarist plays in a bass and guitar duo or performs solo jazz guitar for the cocktail hour and joins the all styles of dance music band for the reception.
- For wedding reception music use a band where the singers also play instruments. This saves personnel costs. e.g. Music Remembrance has a wedding reception quartet that performs all styles including the most current hits. The four instruments are guitar, bass, keyboard and drums and all four members are vocalist too.
Why Use Classical Music for Your Orlando Wedding Ceremony Music?
SivanPhotography.com
Classical music is one of the most popular choices for Orlando wedding ceremony music. Using classical music for wedding ceremonies adds a sense of sophistication and class. There are many other reasons that classical music works wonderfully for wedding ceremonies and is so popular. I will discuss some of them and you can decide if classical is the right choice for your wedding music.
When you are shopping for a wedding dress most brides want something that will not look silly and dated in pictures and videos years from now. Most brides look for something more timeless. When it comes to choosing wedding ceremony music, couples often do not think of timelessness and select music of the current trend. Current music makes a statement that day but when looking back at videos 25 and 50 years from now will you think, “what was I thinking?” Classical music has stood the test of time for hundreds of years and will always sound timeless.
What tone are you trying to set for your wedding ceremony? The music plays an important role in setting the wedding ceremony tone. If you are having an elegant, sophisticated, royal or luxurious wedding, classical music will set the tone. Classical music is so varied and vast that it can be used for almost any tone and many themes like: winter wonderland, autumn, spring, summer, flowers, simple, fun, Halloween, Christmas etc.
Religious wedding ceremonies often have music restrictions. Choosing classical music from the large variety of sacred classical music can easily fit any church’s wedding music guidelines. Some religions and churches also have restrictions on what instruments can be used and most classical ensembles are acceptable under these restrictions.
Most traditional wedding ceremonies have a somewhat serious tone to accompany the serious and important nature of the vows being taken. Using classical music can help highlight the importance and significance of these important vows.
When selecting music for your wedding ceremony it is important to think about all of your guests. One kind of music that everyone can enjoy and won’t offend anyone’s ear or sense of taste is classical. It won’t be too harsh or loud for your older guests. Although classical music may not be what all of your guests normally listen to, it is used so frequently in TV shows, commercials, movies and schools that it’s something that everyone can relate to in some way.
Below are some examples of Classic Music Wedding Ensembles that are popular and add a sense of sophistication and class.
Royal and Regal
- Brass Quartet
- Brass Quintet
- Brass Quartet with Organ
- Brass Quintet with Organ
- Fanfare Trumpets
- Organist
- Trumpet and Organ Duet
- Trumpet
- Trumpet with String Quartet
- Choir with Organ
- Chamber Orchestra
- Symphony Orchestra
Sophisticated and Elegant
- String Quartet
- String Trio
- String Duo
- Solo Violin
- Vocalist with piano
- Vocal Duo
- Vocal Quartet
- Choir
- Solo Classical Guitar
- Guitar Duo
- Flute and Guitar Duo
- Harp
- Harp and Flute Duo
- String Orchestra
These are some of the many reasons classical music is so very popular for wedding ceremony music in Orlando. Now you can decide if it right for your very special day. For information on hiring classical ensembles please visit the Music Remembrance web site.
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.
Hiring Wedding Musicians Who Are Excellent
Thinking about hiring musicians for your wedding ceremony? Here’s a practical article that can guide you in the process of hiring wedding musicians who are excellent.
As I attended parties, events and weddings in Orlando and Tampa, I noticed that there was a real lack of quality entertainment at most functions. Often all of the other vendors of a wedding or event were of superior quality but brides, grooms and party hosts were not able to find professional music ensembles and bands. Most of the ensembles and bands consisted of amateurs, part-time musicians without the full knowledge of performing for these functions, high school students and college musicians. This can cause several problems.
- The music does not sound good
- The musicians do not understand all the event needs and their functions. Here are some examples of of problems caused by this lack of knowledge. A wedding reception band leader does not coordinate with the other vendors to ensure the dinner music is timed with dinner, the dance music starts immediately after dinner and the cake cutting and other festivities are timed correctly. There is no mic available for speeches and MCing activities. The power needs have not been anticipated for the sound system and a fuse is blown. For wedding ceremonies, inexperienced musicians may not know how to end the music for the bridal processional and there will be long delays in-between the bridal party and the bridal processional waiting for a song to end.
Orlando and Tampa party and event hosts, brides and grooms often find it difficult hiring professional entertainment. I found that the reasons for this are varied. The top quality professional musicians often do not market themselves. There are many wedding and event music consultants that have wonderful web sites but send young or inexperienced musicians to events because they can pay them a lower fee. I have found that some wedding and event entertainment consultants keep 50% or more of what the clients pay.
Here are some tips on hiring excellent professional musicians.
- Ask the wedding music consultant how much the musicians get paid or for a break down of costs.
- Ask if the musicians are full-time professional musicians.
- Don’t ask if the musicians are the same musicians on the web site One thing that surprises most people is that you should not expect the musicians will always be the same musicians on the web site. Musicians may have moved, taken full time shows or have orchestra commitments. A good wedding consultant will have a large pool of full-time professional musicians that they put together that all know the music. Any time that a group claims you always get the same musicians is usually a red flag. This usually means the musicians do not have any other gig conflicts which means they are not superior in-demand musicians and do this part time.
- Ask your friends if any of them know a full-time jazz or classical musician. These musicians usually know who the top party and wedding musicians are.
After you receive the cost breakdown from your Orlando wedding and event music consultant remember that, in music and in hiring wedding musicians, you often get what you pay for. Full-time professional musicians have spent their lives in the practice room to perfect their craft and the ones that have done this charge accordingly. With this information I’m sure that you will have a great wedding, party or event with excellent music and without unexpected problems.
Tip: The best way to save money on your wedding music and most of your wedding costs is to have your wedding during a slow season and day.
Classical Music in wedding the segments of Ceremonies
Classical music in wedding ceremonies set an elegant tone for wedding ceremonies. Couples around the world often have the same questions concerning the use of traditional classical music for each segment of their wedding ceremony.
The most common question is, “What are the traditional pieces for the wedding ceremony and when do I use them?”
There are pieces that are the most traditional and popular choices when using classical music in wedding ceremonies. Below are lists of the most traditional choices for the different segments of your wedding ceremony. You can listen to these pieces on the our website or by performing a Google search of the titles.
Music For the Bridal Party Processional (Entrance)
The bridal party processional can be accompanied by several pieces if you have a large bridal party or would just like different songs for different members of the bridal party. The most traditional arrangement is to have the mothers, minister, groom and groomsmen enter to one soft piece that is not on the list below. (If the groomsmen are escorting the brides maids only the mothers minister, groom and best man would enter to this first song.) This would be followed by the flower girls, ring bearer, and brides maids entering to one of the music selections from below. There are of course many variations on this arrangement for different religions, cultures and preferences but this is the most common arrangement for bridal party entrance music at wedding ceremonies.
- Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke (the most popular and traditional selection)
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach
- Canon in D by Pachelbel
- Trumpet Tune by Purcell
- Rondeau (Theme from Masterpiece Theatre) by Mouret
- Hornpipe (Allegro Maestoso) from Water Music by Handel
- Te Deum by Charpentier
Music for the Bridal Processional (Entrance)
- Bridal Chorus by Wagner also known as Here Comes the Bride (the most popular and traditional selection)
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach
- Canon in D by Pachelbel
- Trumpet Tune by Purcell
- Rondeau (Theme from Masterpiece Theatre) by Mouret
- Hornpipe (Allegro Maestoso) from Water Music by Handel
- Te Deum by Charpentier
- Trumpet Voluntary
Music for Unity Candle/Sand/Crystal Ceremony, Wine Ceremony, Rose Presentations or Similar Section of the Service Requiring Background Music
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach or Canon in D by Pachebel, if not used for bride or bridal party
- Ave Maria by Schubert
- Ave Maria by Bach
- O Perfect Love by Barnby
- Panis Angelicus by Frank
- One Hand, One Heart by Bernstein
- Sheep May Safely Graze by Bach
- Evening Prayer by Humperdink
- Hymns
Music for the Bridal Party Recessional (Return down the aisle at the conclusion of the wedding ceremony)
- Wedding March by Mendelssohn (the most popular and traditional Selection)
- La Rejouissance by Handel
- Trumpet Tune by Purcell
- Rondeau (Theme from Masterpiece Theatre) by Mouret
- Elsa’s Procession from The Cathedral by Wagner
- Ode to Joy by Beethoven
- Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke
Seating and Exiting Music for Wedding Guests
- A mix of soft classical music
I hope that you find these lists of wedding ceremony music helpful. If you have any questions about wedding ceremony music Music Remembrance is always glad to help whether you are client or not.
