Music for the Ceremony

Choosing music for the ceremony can be exciting. However if you’re not sure where to start the experience can be daunting. Here are a few option lists for that special occasion. Each list has kept the traditional set pieces for the arrival of the bride and the departure of the bride and groom but this doesn’t mean that you have to do the same.  Meinir has played the theme to ”Neighbours” as the happy couple have left the room! Remember also that a civil ceremony should not as a rule include pieces with any religious association. Special music of your own choice can be played during the signing of the register if requested in good time.


Option 1

Prelude - Arrival of the Guests

My Heart will go on (James Horner)
A Whole New World (Alan Menken)
Get Here (Brenda Russell)

Processional - Arrival of the Bride

Bridal Chorus (Wagner)

Signing of the Register

Amazing (Douglas/Michael)
I don’t want to miss a thing (Diane Warren)

Recessional - Departure of the Bride and Groom

Wedding March (Mendelssohn) 

Postlude - Departure of the Guests

The Greatest  Love of All (Masser)
Eternal Flame (Steinberg, Kelly and  Hoffs)
Somewhere over the Rainbow (Arlen and Harburg)


Option 2

Prelude - Arrival of the Guests

Prelude in C (Bach)
Where e’er you walk (Handel)
One Moment in time (Hammond and Bettis)

Processional - Arrival of the Bride

Bridal Chorus (Wagner) 

Signing of the Register

Flower Duet (Delibes)
Gymnopedie no.1 (Erik Satie)

Recessional - Departure of the Bride and Groom

Wedding March (Mendelssohn)

Postlude - Departure of the Guests

Ode to joy (Beethoven)
Spring from the “Four Seasons”(Vivaldi)
Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke)


Option 3

Prelude - Arrival of the Guests

Jesu joy of man’s desiring (Bach)
Panis Angelicus (Franck)
Pie Jesu (Lloyd Webber)

Processional - Arrival of the Bride

Bridal Chorus (Wagner) 

Signing of the Register

Fields of Gold (Sting)
From this moment on (Shania Twain)

Recessional - Departure of the Bride and Groom

Wedding March (Mendelssohn)

Postlude - Departure of the Guests

March from “Nutcracker” (Tchaikovsky)
O for the wings of a dove (Mendelssohn)
The Ash Grove (Welsh Air)


Option 4

Prelude - Arrival of the Guests

Lullaby (Schubert)
To a wild rose (McDowell)
On wings of song (Mendelssohn)

Processional - Arrival of the Bride

Bridal Chorus (Wagner)

Signing of the Register

Better Together (Jack Johnson)
Love Cats (Robert Smith) 

Recessional - Departure of the Bride and Groom

Wedding March (Mendelssohn) 

Postlude - Departure of the Guests

Morning (Grieg)
Theme from sonata (Mozart)
Maire’s wedding (Scottish Tune)


Option 5

Prelude - Arrival of the Guests

The Rose (Amanda McBroom)
Greensleeves (Traditional)
Everything I do (I do it for you) (Adams, Lange and Kamen)

Processional - Arrival of the Bride

Bridal Chorus (Wagner)

Signing of the Register

Angels (Williams/Chambers)
A moment like this (Elofsson and Reid)

Recessional - Departure of the Bride and Groom

Wedding March (Mendelssohn) 

Postlude - Departure of the Guests

The Sound of Music (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
I feel pretty (Bernstein/Sondheim)
The Bluebells of Scotland (Scottish folk song)


© Meinir Wyn Davies 2011