Weddings

When planning a wedding, music is one of many important details that can easily seem overwhelming! Below I have provided a sample framework of a wedding ceremony with some music suggestions to use as a resource when planning your own special day.

Prelude: Typically 20-30 minutes of music as guests are arriving. This can be a place for special songs that you don't want to include in the ceremony itself. Often the bride and groom will simply select one or two musical styles they prefer; it is not necessary to select each specific song (unless you want to!). Examples of musical styles include classical, popular love songs, sacred, celtic, and Disney love songs.

Seating of the Family: Some weddings include a formal seating of mothers, grandmothers, or other family members.
Music suggestions: Classical-Ave Maria (Schubert), Arioso (Bach), Largo (Dvorak)
Popular-Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis), What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)

Bridesmaids/Attendants Processional: The entrance of the bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearers, flower girls, and any other attendants. This is also often when the groom and minister will enter.
Music suggestions: Classical-Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach), Aria (Handel), Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Popular-Love Me Tender (Elvis), Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)

Bridal Processional: The entrance of the bride!
Music suggestions: Classical- Canon in D (Pachelbel), Prelude in C (Bach), Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)
Popular- Thousand Years (Christina Perri), Bless the Broken Road (Rascal Flatts)

Unity Ceremony: Sometimes there is a short song to accompany the lighting of a unity candle, a handfasting ceremony, or any other moment during the ceremony itself.
Music suggestions: Classical-The Prayer (Foster), O Perfect Love (Gurney), Largo (Dvorak)
Popular-Amazing Grace (Newton), One Hand, One Heart (Webber)

Recessional: The newly married couple head back down the aisle, followed by the attendents, family members, and guests.
Music suggestions: Classical-Trumpet Voluntary (Purcell), Trumpet Tune (Purcell), Ode to Joy (Beethoven)
Popular-I'm Yours (Jason Mraz), All of Me (John Legend)