Wedding Ceremony Music Format
Prelude: Pre-Ceremony Music
Music as your guests arrive, typically 15-30 minutes before the ceremony starts. You can request a Classical or Pop Prelude and be as general or as specific as you like. Many clients request 1-2 songs and leave the rest up to us.
Three pieces of music are generally required for a wedding ceremony with some variation depending on your faith or preference.
1. Processional
Entrance music for the wedding party
2. Processional
Entrance music for the bride
3. Recessional
Exit Music **Please let us know the last words of the ceremony, they are used to cue the Recessional.
Family seating is sometimes featured within the ceremony. They can be seated during the prelude, or you can select music specifically for their seating.
You can also have music during the ceremony for communion, a rose ceremony or for remembrance of loved ones.
Examples
Pop Ceremony
1
Processional: Wedding Party
Leonard Cohen: Hallelujah
Beatles: Here Comes the Sun
Bittersweet Symphony
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
2
Processional: Bride
Christina Perri: A Thousand Years
Ingrid Michaelson: The Way I Am
Eric Clapton: Wonderful Tonight
Train: Marry Me
3
Recessional
All You Need (Is Love)
Pharrell Williams: Happy
Coldplay: Viva La Vida
Journey: Don't Stop Believin'
Classical Ceremony
1
Processional: Wedding Party
Sheep May Safely Graze
Trumpet Voluntary
Trumpet Tune
Entrance of the Queen of Sheba
Air on the G String
2
Processional: Bride
Pachelbel Canon
Simple Gifts
Wagner Wedding March
Meditation from Thais
Bach: Arioso from Cantata 156
3
Recessional
La Rejouissance
Handel Hornpipe from Water Music Suite
Mendelssohn Wedding March
Ode to Joy
Mouret Rondeau
The listings above are suggestions, most are interchangeable. Feel free to make substitutions and request music that is meaningful to you.
Reception Music
There are many options for your cocktail hour or reception. You can choose from classical music, pop songs and jazz standards. See Music for a detailed repertoire listing.
Useful Information
Cues
A family member, wedding planner or officiant should be designated to give the musicians cues to begin ceremony music. This is an essential part of the ceremony that should be coordinated in advance. A simple thumbs up or nod is all that's needed. Let us know the last words of the ceremony. These will be used as the cue for the recessional music.
Outdoor Weddings
Please confirm a shady spot for the musicians if the wedding is outdoors. Our temperature minimum is 60 degrees.
Brides
Count to ten when your music begins before you begin your procession. This is your moment! Taking a few extra seconds will also allow the musicians time to change music without sudden breaks and it will also give your guests time to rise for your entrance.
