Your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life. The flowers, the cake, the photographs - everything should be absolutely perfect. An essential aspect of the wedding ceremony is the music. As you begin to plan your wedding, this guide will provide an introduction to the different parts of the ceremony, along with musical suggestions for each:
1. Prelude
This encompasses the 20-25 minutes before your wedding ceremony begins, as your guests are arriving. If you have hired musicians, ask them to play during this time - it will create an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication. Unless you have any special requests, you will not need to provide any specific musical suggestions for the musicians.
2. Processional
This encompasses the entrance of the bridal party and may last anywhere from 5-10 minutes. Usually, the processional may include the following:
--Master of Ceremonies
--Parents and Grandparents
--Flower Girls
--Ring Bearers
--Bridesmaids
--Groomsmen
Depending on the size of your bridal party, you may consider one or two musical selections (perhaps one for the parents/grandparents, another for the rest of the bridal party.) However, for ease of transitioning and timing, my recommendation is that you choose one musical selection for the entire bridal party.
Musical Suggestions for the Processional:
--"Trumpet Tune" (Henry Purcell)
--"Trumpet Voluntary" (Jeremiah Clark)
*Both these selections sound regal and elegant and are perfect for announcing the entrance of beloved family and friends.
--"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (Johann Sebastian Bach)
--"Air on a G String" (Johann Sebastian Bach)
--"Largo" (Antonio Vivaldi)
--"Air" from Water Music (Georg Friedrich Handel)
--"Arioso" (Johann Sebastian Bach)
*These pieces are lyrical and beautiful.
3. Bridal Entrance
This is the most important moment of your wedding ceremony - when all eyes are on you!
Musical Selections for the Bridal Entrance:
--Bridal Chorus (Richard Wagner)
--Canon in D (Johann Pachelbel)
*These are the two most popular selections chosen by brides. While the "Bridal Chorus" sounds prominent and commands attention, "Canon in D" is more lyrical and expressive.
4. Recessional
There will be great joy after you are pronounced "Husband and Wife"! You will cherish this moment in your heart forever, as all your guests celebrate with you.
Musical Selections for the Recessional:
--"Wedding March" (Felix Mendelssohn)
--"La Rejoissance" (Georg Friedrich Handel)
This is a sample of traditional wedding ceremony music. In addition to these, many brides choose to make their wedding day unique by selecting music that holds special meaning for them. Your wedding is a day that you will remember forever, so make sure that your ceremony music reflects who you are as a couple and celebrates the beginning of your journey together!
1. Prelude
This encompasses the 20-25 minutes before your wedding ceremony begins, as your guests are arriving. If you have hired musicians, ask them to play during this time - it will create an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication. Unless you have any special requests, you will not need to provide any specific musical suggestions for the musicians.
2. Processional
This encompasses the entrance of the bridal party and may last anywhere from 5-10 minutes. Usually, the processional may include the following:
--Master of Ceremonies
--Parents and Grandparents
--Flower Girls
--Ring Bearers
--Bridesmaids
--Groomsmen
Depending on the size of your bridal party, you may consider one or two musical selections (perhaps one for the parents/grandparents, another for the rest of the bridal party.) However, for ease of transitioning and timing, my recommendation is that you choose one musical selection for the entire bridal party.
Musical Suggestions for the Processional:
--"Trumpet Tune" (Henry Purcell)
--"Trumpet Voluntary" (Jeremiah Clark)
*Both these selections sound regal and elegant and are perfect for announcing the entrance of beloved family and friends.
--"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (Johann Sebastian Bach)
--"Air on a G String" (Johann Sebastian Bach)
--"Largo" (Antonio Vivaldi)
--"Air" from Water Music (Georg Friedrich Handel)
--"Arioso" (Johann Sebastian Bach)
*These pieces are lyrical and beautiful.
3. Bridal Entrance
This is the most important moment of your wedding ceremony - when all eyes are on you!
Musical Selections for the Bridal Entrance:
--Bridal Chorus (Richard Wagner)
--Canon in D (Johann Pachelbel)
*These are the two most popular selections chosen by brides. While the "Bridal Chorus" sounds prominent and commands attention, "Canon in D" is more lyrical and expressive.
4. Recessional
There will be great joy after you are pronounced "Husband and Wife"! You will cherish this moment in your heart forever, as all your guests celebrate with you.
Musical Selections for the Recessional:
--"Wedding March" (Felix Mendelssohn)
--"La Rejoissance" (Georg Friedrich Handel)
This is a sample of traditional wedding ceremony music. In addition to these, many brides choose to make their wedding day unique by selecting music that holds special meaning for them. Your wedding is a day that you will remember forever, so make sure that your ceremony music reflects who you are as a couple and celebrates the beginning of your journey together!