Here Comes the Bride
So many couples struggle with choosing music for their big day, from processional songs to first dances. We thought it might be helpful if we listed a series of lovely songs for ceremonies (to start), in hopes that it eases the hunt!
Note: You can always move past our YouTube samples and listen on iTunes or Amazon to varying instrumentation options for each, too- as you probably don’t have an entire symphony for your wedding ceremony (though how fab!)
—————-
What: Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Who: Mendelssohn
Side note: Best with organ accompaniment, amazing for a recessional.
Sample it here.
—————
What: Air on a G String
Who: Bach
Side note: Get your mind out of the gutter, hee hee. Lovely for parents to process to, as well as pre-processional music.
Sample it here.
—————-
What: Trumpet Voluntary, aka “Prince of Denmark’s March”
Who: Clarke
Side note: A herald trumpeter absolutely makes it, even though others can “fake” it- organs, strings, etc. Best used for the bride’s processional.
Sample it here.
————-
What: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Who: Bach
Side note: Lovely for the parental processional or bridesmaids/groomsmen.
Sample it here.
———————
What: Ave Maria
Who: Schubert
Side note: Be bold, get a soloist to join forces with your other musicians, as the words are just beautiful. Best for wedding party processionals.
Sample it here.
———————-
What: Barcarolle
Who: Offenbach
Side note: Listen to it for a while until you hear the loveliest part that is wedding-appropriate.
Sample it here.
————————
What: Water Music for Hornpipe, Suite 2
Who: Handel
Side note: Best for recessional of the couple and wedding party.
Sample it here.
——————–
What: Te Deum Prelude
Who: Charpentier
Side note: Gorgeous and traditional for a bride’s processional- and just different enough to peak your guests’ interest in your choice.
Sample it here.
———————-
What: Cello Suite no. 1
Who: Bach
Side note: Sigh- just so gorgeous. You obvi need a cello to make it pop.
Sample it here.
———————
What: Rondeau
Who: Mouret
Side note: Fantastic with a trumpeter, but doable with just an organ or a string trio/quartet. Great for wedding party processional.
Sample it here.
———————-
What: Minuet in G
Who: Bach
Side note: Simple and lovely choice for pre-bridal processional music, or for a bride who doesn’t want the pomp and circumstance.
Sample it here.
———————
What: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Who: Handel
Side note: Fantastic for a wedding party recessional.
Sample it here.
——————-
What: Trumpet Tune
Who: Purcell
Side note: You know this one! It’s tried and true, but still elegant for wedding party or bridal processional, or even a recessional.
Sample it here.
———————-
We think Pachelbel’s Canon in D is tiiiiiiiired, but it’s always an easy fallback for processional music if you just can’t make the leap from what feels safe to what will thrill!
