Planning the Music for Your Wedding Ceremony

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Music plays many vital roles in the wedding ceremony, from providing flow and ambiance to highlighting the deeper emotional meaning.

Many former brides and grooms remember the songs played at their weddings for the rest of their lives, and they can relive that romantic day when hearing those songs again.

The first decision you should make that will guide you in your choices is whether you want your music to be traditional and classic or lesser-known but unique.

Wedding Parts

The prelude
The wedding party's processional
The bride's processional
The interlude
The recessional
The postlude

The Prelude

The purpose of the prelude music is to welcome guests as they are being seated before the ceremony. It also should give a cheerful yet subdued atmosphere, setting the stage for the solemnity of the event. The prelude generally begins 15 to 20 minutes before the ceremony start time, and it often involves quite a few songs.

Wedding Party's Processional

The wedding party's processional marks the official beginning of the ceremony. It should have a slow but flowing feel, ushering the beautiful bridesmaids and other members of the wedding party down the aisle. Perhaps the classic example here is Canon in D by Pachelbel, but you should listen to various musical selections to find a song that strikes a chord with you.

Bride's Processional

The bride's processional can be an incredible moment, as memorable to everyone involved as the vows or any other part of the ceremony. You should choose a very special song here. If you go with Classical music, the obvious traditional choice is Wagner's Bridal Chorus ("Here Comes the Bride"). But any Classical piece that strikes you as particularly beautiful or meaningful can be used here. If you're going with jazz, pop, or Broadway, use a song with beautiful music as well as lyrics that are meaningful to you. Even if you don't have a singer at your wedding, the lyrics to a popular song will still play in everyone's minds when they hear the melody.

The Interlude

The interlude can actually be many different moments in the ceremony, my very loose definition being any time there are no words being spoken for a minute or more. For most ceremonies, the interlude is the unity candle, memorial candle, or rose presentation. These are moments of quiet reflection, and the music you choose should encourage this mood. A popular and appropriate unity candle choice is The Wedding Song, partly because the lyrics mention the word "union." Sweet Classical favorites include Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach, Ave Maria by Schubert, and Meditation from Thais by Massenet.

The Recessional

At last, time to celebrate! The wedding officiant's pronouncement of husband and wife is followed by enthusiastic applause and joyous recessional music as the happy couple leads the way back up the aisle. The song you choose should be bright and upbeat, inviting everyone to celebrate your union. The top traditional choice for the recessional is Mendelssohn's Wedding March. A close second and third are Beethoven's Ode to Joy and Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary. But any song with a joyous feel that speaks to you will work well in this spot.

Bouquet Toss Song

This One's For The Girls

by Martina McBride
From the Album Martina

Wedding Dinner Music

Shower Me With Your Love

by Surface
From the Album The Best Of Surface...A Nice Time 4 Lovin

Wedding Introduction Song

Grow Old With You (Vocal)

by Stephen Lynch
From the Album The Wedding Singer - Original Broadway Cast Recording

Cake Cutting Song

Throw some at the Groom

Hit Me With Your Best Shot (2002 Digital Remaster)

by Pat Benatar
From the Album Greatest Hits

Father Daughter Song

Butterfly Kisses (The Country Remix)

by Bob Carlisle
From the Album The Best of Bob Carlisle: Butterfly Kisses & Other Stories

First Dance Song

At Last

by Etta James
From the Album At Last!

Last Dance Song

I Swear

by John Michael Montgomery
From the Album Greatest Hits

Timeless Wedding

Heart Beats: Now & Forever - Timeless Wedding

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Garter Toss Song

The Stripper

by The Hit Crew
From the Album Bachlorette Party

Mother Son Wedding Song

I love this version

What A Wonderful World

by Anne Murray
From the Album What A Wonderful World
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