Ceremony Music

Prelude-The Prelude is an interval of music starting 20 to 30 minutes prior to your ceremony. Your Prelude music establishes the mood for your wedding. The choice of appropriate mood is entirely up to you, and you may use vocal or instrumental music to create it. String instruments are normally used to create an elegant mood, brass to create a festive mood, organ for a religious mood, etc. The music also creates a suitable background for prayer, reflection, and light conversation.

• Everything I do (I Do it for you) by Bryan Adams
• Brandenburg Concerto #2 by Johann Sebastian Bach
• Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Johann Sebastian Bach
• Your Love Amazes Me by John Berry
• Love of My Life by Jim Brickman
• Destiny by Jim Brickman, Jordan Hill, Billy Porter
• Nocturne in E Flat (Op. 9 #2) by Frederic Chopin
• The Prayer by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli
• Symphony #9, 2nd Movement from The New World by Antonin Dvorak
• Pavane by Gabriel Faure
• Courante from Three Lute Dances by Antoine Francisque
• Panis Angelicus by Cesar Franck
• The Joy of Life by Kenny G
• The Wedding Song by Kenny G
• Ave Maria by Charles Gounod
• Air-Water Music Suite #1 in F Major by George Frideric Handel
• For My Wedding by Don Henley
• So This is Love (Instrumental from Cinderella) by David Hoffman, Livingston
• My Heart Will Go On (Instrumental from “Titanic”) by James Horner
• Valentine by Martina McBride
• Rondo for Flute and Orchestra by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• I Honestly Love You by Olivia Newton John
• Violin Concerto #8 by Antonio Vivaldi
• Concerto #1 by Antonio Vivaldi
• All I Ask of You (from Phantom of the Opera) by Andrew Lloyd Weber
• Adagio-Organ Symphony #5, Op. 42, #14 by Charles Marie Widor

Processional-There are usually three parts to the processional:

• Seating of parents and grandparents
• Entrance of the attendants (including flower girl and ring bearer)
• Entrance of the bride

The formal seating of parents and grandparents signals the beginning of the actual wedding ceremony to the guests. After the last parent is seated (generally the mother of the bride), the attendants enter. The groomsmen may enter from the side with the groom and officiant, or they may escort the bridesmaids down the aisle.

A classical piece with a strong march rhythm can dramatically capture the guests' attention and announce the beginning of the wedding ceremony. The music continues until the aisle runner has been unrolled. The music should have a clearly audible cadence so that it is easy for you and your attendants to keep time while walking. The music should begin softly and gradually increases in volume until the bride's entrance.

• Arioso by Johann Sebastian Bach
• “Air on the G String” from Orchestral Suite No. 3 by Johann Sebastian Bach
• “We Thank the Lord”-Cantata No. 29 by Johann Sebastian Bach
• Prelude and Fugue in C by Johann Sebastian Bach
• Minuet in G by Johann Sebastian Bach
• Rigaudon by Andre Campra
• Rondeau by Shoshana Damari
• Forever in Love by Kenny G
• Ave Maria by Charles Gounod
• La Rejouissance-Music for the Royal Fireworks by George Frideric Handel
• Romance from String Quartet by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel
• Heroic Marches by Georg Philipp Telemann
• Four Seasons-Winter by Antonio Vivaldi
• Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin by Richard Wagner

Bride’s entrance-The bride's entrance is the climax of the wedding day. The music that is played greatly contributes to this lifelong memory. Its role is to announce the bride and focus all attention on her. The volume must be significantly louder than the music played for the attendants. With each step, the bride is assisted by the driving rhythm of the music.

• Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke
• Ave Maria by Charles Gounod
• The Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn
• Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel
• Here Comes the Bride by Richard Wagner

Recessional- The end of the ceremony is usually marked by the bridal kiss or the announcement of the newly married couple. The bride and groom exit arm in arm, followed by the flower girl and ring bearer, the maid/matron of honor and best man, and bridesmaid/usher pairs. Music should be majestic and played with a quick tempo.

• “Air on the G String” from Orchestral Suite No. 3 by Johann Sebastian Bach
• First Movement from Brandenburg Concerto #1 in F by Johann Sebastian Bach
• Toccata in D by Johann Sebastian Bach
• Ode to Joy by Ludwig von Beethoven
• Prelude from “Te Deum” by Marc-Antoine Charpentier
• Le Rejouissance from “Royal Fireworks” by George Frideric Handel
• Hornpipe-Water Music Suite #1 in F Major by George Frideric Handel
• Arrival of the Queen of Sheba from Solomon by George Frideric Handel
• St. Anthony Chorale by Franz Joseph Haydn
• Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn
• Emperor’s Fanfare by Antonio Soler
• Sonata in G Major by Giuseppe Tartini

Postlude-The Postlude music is played immediately after the recessional as the guests leave their seats. Postlude music is not always needed, but if the guests are leaving slowly, particularly if the wedding party is greeting each guest in a receiving line on the way out, it is nice to fill the time with upbeat, celebratory music.  The music should be played until all guests have been greeted.

• When You Love Someone by Bryan Adams
• A Moment Like This by Kelly Clarkson
• Overture from Fireworks by Handel
• Suite in F Major by Handel
• Forever and For Always by Shania Twain
• Here and Now by Luther Vandross