Wedding Music

If you're not sure what music you'd like, I can give you suggestions during your consultation, and play a variety of songs for you to choose from. It is helpful to have an idea of who will be in the processional and the order of your ceremony before selecting your wedding music. It can be helpful to meet with your minister/officiant before meeting with your ceremony musician. The minister/officiant can also tell you if there are any restrictions on your music selections - for example, some churches don't allow popular music.

Prelude

The prelude is the background music played prior to the wedding, while the guests are arriving and being seated. I usually begin playing fifteen - twenty minutes before the ceremony begins, depending on the wedding location and the number of guests.

The prelude will set the tone for the rest of your ceremony, so it should reflect the style of your wedding. I have a variety of light classical and traditional music and will ask you what style of music you prefer, and any special songs you would like included. If there are pieces you like that are not used in the wedding ceremony, these can usually be played during the prelude.

Prelude Suggestions

Air on a High Mountain
Air from Water Music (G.F. Handel)
Air on the G String (J.S. Bach)
Für Elise (L. van Beethoven)
Greensleeves (Traditional)
Melody (R. Schumann)
Prelude in C (J.S. Bach)
Romanze from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (W.A. Mozart)
Sonatina in G ( L. van Beethoven)

Processional

I will ask you to choose three songs for the processional:

۰ Seating  of Parents and Grandparents
۰ Bridal Party (including flower girl and ring bearer)
۰ Bride's Processional

The formal seating of parents and grandparents signals the beginning of the actual wedding ceremony to the guests. After the last parent is seated (usually the mother of the bride), the attendants enter. The groomsmen may enter from the side with the groom and minister/officiant, or they may escort the bridesmaids down the aisle.

You may want separate pieces for the seating of parents and the bridal party's entrance. The best pieces for the processional are those with a steady beat at an easy walking tempo. When the bridal party is in place, their song ends and bride's  processional will begin.

The bridal processional is played as the bride walks down the aisle. It is usually the most stately and majestic of the processional selections.

Processional Suggestions

Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)
Trumpet Voluntary (Purcell)
Bride's March (Wagner)

Ceremony

Depending on the order of ceremony, you may want one or two selections played during the ceremony. This might be a solo of a special song, background music for the lighting of your unity candle, or it might be a meditative piece after a prayer. Many shorter services do not require any music during the actual ceremony at all.

Recessional

The recessional is played right after the minister/officiant introduces the new couple, as they walk up the aisle together, followed by the wedding party. This piece is joyful and upbeat, celebrating the wedding that has just taken place. I play two or three similar pieces as the guests walk out.

Recessional Suggestions

Ode to Joy (Beethoven)
Prince of Denmark's March (Clarke)
Wedding March (Mendelssohn)
Any upbeat, joyful piece!

Cocktail Hour / Dinner / Reception

Songs which might not be appropriate for a wedding ceremony can be included during the cocktail hour, dinner and/or reception.

Suggestions

Contemporary
A Day Without Rain (Enya)
All I Ask of You (Phantom of the Opera)
Can’t Help Falling in Love
Everything I Do, I Do It For You (from Robin Hood)
Here, There and Everywhere
Manhá de Carnaval
Memory (from Cats)
Moondance
Moon River
Music of the Night (Phantom of the Opera)
My Heart Will Go On (Theme From Titanic)
Over the Rainbow
Shepherd Moons (Enya)
Somewhere In Time
Sound of Music
Spanish Eyes
Speak Softly (Love Theme From The Godfather)
Take Five
Theme From Ice Castles (Through The Eyes Of Love)
Theme From Love Story (Where Do I Begin)
Theme From Star Wars
Unchained Melody
Unforgettable
When I Fall In Love
Wind Beneath My Wings
Wonderful World

Classic Rock
Hey You (Pink Floyd)
Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)
Paint It Black (Rolling Stones)
Show Me the Way (Styx)
Stairway to Heaven (Led Zepplin)
Steven (Alice Cooper)
Tears in Heaven (Eric Clapton)
Wind of Change (Scorpions)

Note: Most of these can be played solo; some need solo instruments (flute, violin) or voice.

Do you have a special music request or do you want more information? I would love to hear from you and will be happy to help in any way I can. Please give me a call or send an email to pam@harplady.com.

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