Music for your wedding Ceremony
Wedding Ceremony Music
When planning the music for your wedding ceremony there are a lot of things to consider. What is the feeling you envision? Are you wanting a more traditional sound, or do you want a more modern feel for your ceremony. Often brides have a specific song already picked out that they want to walk down the aisle to. It helps to pick the rest of the music for the ceremony so that it coordinates or compliments the bridal processional. If the processional is an orchestral piece, then typically you will want to use orchestral music for the rest of the ceremony. Other songs and music you will need include, music that will be played for the 30 minutes while guests arrive (Prelude), songs for parents and bridesmaids to walk into (Processionals), as well as a song for the married couple to march out to (the Recessional), and finally some music for the 10 to 15 minutes after the wedding ceremony while guests are leaving the ceremony site (Postlude). At the bottom of this page, we have compiled a list of some common wedding songs and music typically used for different parts of the ceremony, as well as some nontraditional song ideas. There are also some of our curated Spotify playlists for inspiration. Remember there is no right or wrong music.
Choosing the Right Music for Your Ceremony:
Music plays a pivotal role in setting the mood and ambiance of your ceremony. Whether you prefer classical compositions, soulful ballads, or lively tunes, selecting music that reflects your personalities and preferences is crucial. Explore our extensive collection of music ideas to discover pieces that resonate with your love story.
Curation is key. When selecting music, don't feel limited to just one genre or era, though think about how it may all fit together. Consider creating a mix that reflects your shared tastes and the different stages of your ceremony. For the processional, choose pieces that are uplifting and joyful, while you might for more intimate and romantic melodies for a unity candle lighting or sand ceremony. The recessional provides an opportunity for a triumphant or celebratory tune to mark the beginning of your new life together.
Seek inspiration from your surroundings. The venue you choose for your ceremony will also influence your music selections. If you're getting married in a serene garden setting, consider pieces that complement the natural beauty of the environment like string or orchestral music. For a grand ballroom wedding, more dramatic and modern compositions might be fitting.
Personalize your playlist with meaningful songs. Incorporate songs that hold special significance in your relationship, such as the first dance you shared or the song that played when you met. These personal touches will add depth and emotion to your ceremony.
If you want to more traditional aesthetic of orchestral music but want to keep the mood a little lighter, you can modernize the orchestral vibe by using instrumental covers of modern songs. Artists like Vitamin String Quartet and The Piano Guys are great examples of more traditional sounding strings covers of modern songs.
Wanting to keep things fun and more reflective of your own style? Then know that you don't have to use string music at all. You can use Jazz, folk, R&B, or even modern pop music for your wedding ceremony. Decide the tone you are trying to set, and then work around that. Modern and Indie love songs make great wedding music and the lyrics can convey so much emotion!
In our online planning system, there is a custom ceremony planner to assist you with planning your ceremony. Below you can find some song suggestions for different parts of your wedding ceremony and at the bottom of the page you can find some curated Spotify playlists for prelude music with different levels of tone and formality.