Your wedding ceremony music sets the tone for one of the most memorable days of your life. From the moment guests arrive to your joyful exit as newlyweds, every note plays a role in shaping the ambiance and emotion of your celebration. Whether you're planning a traditional church service or a modern civil ceremony, selecting the right music for your wedding ceremony can elevate the experience for you and your guests.
As your guests arrive and take their seats, background music subtly sets the emotional landscape for the day. In a church setting, the grandeur of the venue pairs beautifully with live music options like a string quartet, harpist, organist, or even a small choir. These choices help fill the space with rich, elegant tones that build anticipation.
For a civil ceremony, wedding music for the ceremony can still be deeply impactful. Whether you're aiming for a cheerful, upbeat mood or a calm and elegant atmosphere, live musicians such as harpists or string quartets add sophistication. If live music isn't practical, thoughtfully selected pre-recorded tracks can also make a lasting impression.
The Grand Entrance: Processional Music
The processional is a defining moment of any wedding, particularly the bride's entrance. Choosing the right wedding ceremony music for this moment ensures the emotion and anticipation are perfectly captured.
Church Wedding Processional Music
For a church wedding, opt for processional pieces that are stately, regal, and timeless:
- Wagner: "Bridal Chorus" from Lohengrin (Here Comes the Bride)
- Stanley: Trumpet Voluntary
- Purcell: Trumpet Tune in D
- Clarke: Prince of Denmark's March (Trumpet Voluntary)
- Mozart: Marriage of Figaro Overture
- Handel: "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba"
- Handel: "The Rejoicing" from Music for the Royal Fireworks
- Grieg: "Morning" from Peer Gynt
- Pachelbel: Canon in D
- Elgar: Salut D'Amour
- J.S. Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Civil Ceremony Processional Music
In civil ceremonies, aisle walks are typically shorter, so concise, emotive music is ideal. Consider modern classics that are personal and meaningful:
- "At Last" by Etta James
- "All Of Me" by John Legend
- "All You Need is Love" by The Beatles
- "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri
- "One Day Like This" by Elbow
The Interlude: Music During the Signing of the Register
The signing of the register provides a reflective pause in the ceremony, typically lasting around five minutes. This is an ideal time for calm, romantic wedding ceremony music suggestions that create an atmosphere of intimacy and stillness.
Church Wedding Register Music
If you have access to the church choir, they may sing an anthem at this stage. If there are trebles (boy choristers with unbroken voices), they might perform a solo like Aled Jones' "Walking in the Air." Alternatively, you can use instrumental music from an organ, harp, or string quartet, similar to your pre-service music.
This is a wonderful opportunity to personalise the ceremony with music that is truly meaningful to you as a couple. Some couples ask a friend to sing a solo, or you might consider a treble soloist or a soprano singer. Don't be afraid to allow a moment or two for quiet reflection at this stage, and there's no need to rush the signing to match the music.
Civil Ceremony Register Music
For a civil ceremony, the music during the signing should be calmer and more relaxed, creating a contrast with the more upbeat recessional music. Many couples opt for a romantic and meaningful piece. Instrumental classical pieces, perhaps played by a string quartet, are popular, or you could choose a modern piece with meaningful lyrics.
The Joyful Exit: Recessional Music
As the bridal party exits, the music should be triumphant, joyful, and celebratory. This is a highly memorable part of the wedding and sets the atmosphere for the rest of the day.
Church Wedding Recessional Music
Classic choices for a grand and celebratory exit from a church include:
- Mendelssohn: "Wedding March" from A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Clarke: Prince of Denmark's March (Trumpet Voluntary)
- Handel: Water Music; Hornpipe in D
- Handel: Royal Fireworks; The Rejoycing
- Purcell: See Nature Rejoicing
- Mozart: Overture from The Marriage of Figaro
- Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4
- Widor: Toccata from 5th Symphony in F
Civil Ceremony Recessional Music
For a civil ceremony, you want music that will get everyone in the right mood, as many photos are taken during this time. Options include your chosen string quartet playing a lively piece or a pre-recorded modern piece that is meaningful to you and your partner. Popular upbeat choices include:
- "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder
- "Beautiful Day" by U2
- "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys
- "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes
- "Happy" by Pharrell Williams
Hymns in a Church Wedding
Hymns are an integral part of most church wedding ceremonies, offering moments for reflection, joy, and participation. Typically, you'll need to choose at least two hymns-usually one after the bride arrives and another near the end of the service following the final prayers. Some longer services may include up to four hymns.
Your minister or church music director can offer guidance and suggestions based on the service structure and the capabilities of the musicians. If most of your guests aren't regular churchgoers, it's a good idea to select well-known hymns with simple, uplifting melodies to encourage participation. Using a church choir or a soloist can also help lead the singing and make guests feel more comfortable joining in.
Keep in mind that some hymn lyrics may be sung to different tunes, so if you have a preferred version, be sure to confirm with your organist or musicians which tune you're expecting-they'll need to know in advance.
Top Tip: Always check with the organist early on to ensure they're familiar with your choices, and ask whether they can accommodate any special requests.
Important Considerations for Wedding Ceremony Music
Civil Ceremony Music Restrictions
A key difference between church and civil ceremonies lies in music restrictions. For civil ceremonies, the music must contain no religious references. This also applies to any wedding readings. While some registrars might be more lenient, allowing instrumental versions of hymns without sung words, it is always crucial to check with your specific registrar well in advance to avoid any last-minute issues.
Copyright and Music Licensing
Copyright law prevents you from reproducing any music without the copyright holder's permission until 70 years after the death of the writer. Most traditional hymns fall outside this timeframe. If you are printing hymn words on an order of service, you will likely need to obtain permission from the copyright holder, and there is usually a small charge (typically £10 to £25). For private events like weddings, you generally do not need permission if you are simply singing hymns from a hymn book.
Live Music vs. Recorded Music
Both church and civil ceremonies offer the choice between live musicians and pre-recorded music. Live music, such as a string quartet, harpist, or organist, can create a truly unique and sophisticated atmosphere. If you opt for recorded music (CD or MP3), ensure the sound system is set up properly and tested beforehand. For church weddings, always check with your priest or vicar regarding their policy on live versus recorded music and specific music choices, as some churches are stricter than others.
Your wedding ceremony music, whether classical or modern, upbeat or melodic, has the power to define the atmosphere and make your day truly personal. Don't be afraid to choose pieces that hold special meaning to you as a couple, ensuring each musical moment contributes to the unforgettable experience of your wedding.