Are you wondering where during your ceremony you should include some music?
Traditions vary in different places and across different types of ceremonies so it is always worth checking with your celebrant first for advice where music is typically included.
Most places will have a standard format that varies depending on what type of wedding you are having so check with your celebrant, who can advise where music normally fits within this. Typically, if you have a non-religious or non-traditional ceremony then there is more freedom to tailor the ceremony (and also the music) to suit you.
Typically a wedding ceremony will have some music for the bride’s entrance (called a processional) and some different music for the couple’s exit at the end (called a recessional). Outside of this almost anything is possible! Music is an ideal way to personalise your ceremony to suit you as a couple. Besides the grand entrance and joyful departure, here are some ideas to help you include music in the ceremony itself:
Here are the parts of a ceremony that may include music:
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Prelude (optional)
This is any music that is played before the bride arrives. Often background music is played as the guests arrive but this isn’t essential.
You may want to have one or two carefully chosen pieces of music to accompany the bride’s mother (or other important people!) as they are seated before the bride comes in.
Here are some suggestions for prelude music:
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Wedding party arrivals (optional)
For some weddings, a specific piece of music is played while the bridal party walk down the aisle. Alternatively you can use the same piece of music for both the bridal party and the bride herself.
Here are some suggestions for arrival music:
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Bridal Processional
The grand entrance! The bridal processional is a key piece of music that helps to set the tone for the ceremony. A march or any other tune with a strong, steady beat is ideal so that the bride can match her steps to the music.
Here are some suggestions for processionals:- The Wedding March (Wagner)
- Pachelbel’s Canon (Pachelbel)
- The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba ( Handel)
- Give Me Your Hand (Celtic)
- Kissing You (from Romeo & Juliet movie)
- Click here to view our selection of processionals.
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Interlude
The opportunities for using music as part of the ceremony itself are as varied as the couples getting married. Often music is used to accompany a part of the ceremony such as lighting candles, a sand ceremony, communion or while signing the wedding papers if this is part of the ceremony. However, music can also be very effective played on its own as a simple musical reflection. This is a beautiful way to slow the pace of a ceremony and allow time for everyone to pause, relax, reflect and enjoy the moment. Your wedding will go very quickly and you may appreciate this little break during the service! A short piece of music is also a very effective way to mark the connection between different sections of the ceremony. Music used this way can be any length you like and almost any type of music can be used here.
Here are some suggestions for interlude music:- Romeo & Juliet (Rieu)
- Clair de Lune (Debussy)
- Amazing Grace
- Danny Boy (traditional Celtic)
- Over the Rainbow (from the Wizard of Oz)
- Click here to view our selection of music suggested for use during the ceremony.
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Recessional
The service is over and you are now married! The recessional music is usually joyful and upbeat to reflect the new couple’s happiness. This marks the end of the ceremony and the start of the party and celebrations.
Here are some suggestions for recessionals :- The Trumpet Tune
- The Wedding March (Mendelssohn)
- Carolan’s Concerto (Celtic)
- All You Need Is Love (the Beatles)
- Click here to view our selection of recessionals.