01 Oct 9 Favorite Traditional Ceremony Music Selections
When you think of traditional wedding music, you most likely think of “Wedding March” by Mendelssohn — called “Here Comes the Bride” by most people. It’s a beautiful, traditional choice but don’t feel limited by it. There are many other arrangements of this tune you can use, or other classical/instrumental selections that will make your wedding the perfect day you dreamed of. Here are a few of my favorites:
- “Wedding March” on classical guitar, by Andrew Grossman, Lana Ross and Anna Moor. This arrangement is lovely for smaller venues or outdoor weddings.
- “Canon in D, P.37,” by Johann Pachelbel, Edward Brewer and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Another beautiful classic, perfect for any venue. I’ve heard this song so many times over the years, but the pianist who played for one of my recent weddings performed this song using the David Lanz arrangement and he made me fall in love with it all over again.
- “Trumpet Voluntary” by Jeremiah Clarke. A grand entrance fit for a grand venue like a large church or cathedral.
- “Solomon, HWV 67: The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba,” by Georg Friedrich Handel. Feel like royalty when you enter to the strains of “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” by Handel. It also makes a joyful recessional.
- “Dawn” by Jean-Yves Thibaudet. From the 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice, this exquisite instrumental is high romance.
- “A Thousand Years” by The Piano Guys. Your love has been a journey, and this moving instrumental celebrates it.
- “Processional” by Josh Garrels. A more modern processional, but with the feeling of grand traditional music.
- “Deep Blue” by Adrian Webster. A perfect song to seat the mothers or for the wedding party processional. It’s such a happy song.
- “Surely the Presence of the Lord” by Lanny Wolfe. This song is a traditional hymn, but a lovely way to invite God into your marriage. Adding a harp or having a string quartet play this would be a beautiful bride’s entrance.
Additional Tips:
- Get started early on in your planning thinking about your ceremony music and do some exploration.
- If possible, meet in person with your musician(s) and listen to song samples to really get a feel for what your music will sound like. Think of it as a music tasting.