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Wedding Planning

Songs for the Ceremony

Classical favorites and fresh ideas to get your wedding humming

 

Is "Here Comes the Bride" the only wedding melody you know? Hold on to your organist! We've got classical options that span from the tried—and-true to the new—and-different.

Since there are so many pieces to choose from, we've organized the following selections by composer, making it easier for you to locate them at your local music store. (One Beethoven album may have three of our listed songs on it.) Also, many libraries, especially those at your local university, have listening sections. You can borrow, and in some cases even copy, recordings, sparing you the expense of purchasing them. In fact, just by going online (try amazon.com and CDNow.com) you may be able to hear snippets that appeal.

Processional

Processional music holds a steady beat, allowing your wedding party to walk (not run!) up the aisle. You may want to make both a selection for the wedding party and one for yourself.

The Old Stanbys

  • "Canon in D," Pachelbel
  • "Lohengrin: Bridal Chorus," Wagner
  • "Water Music," Handel
  • "Trumpet Voluntary," Clarke/Purcell
  • "A Mid-Summer Night's Dream: Wedding March," Mendelssohn
  • "Ave Maria," Schubert

Something New

BACH

  • "Suite No. 3: Air on the G string"
  • "Sheep May Safely Graze"
  • "Brandenberg Concerto No. 2: Allegro"

BEETHOVEN

  • "Romance for Violin No. 1 in G"
  • "Sonata No. 8 'The Pathetique'"

BRAHAMS

  • "Variations on a Theme by Haydn: Grazioso"

CHOPIN

  • "Nocturne in D Flat"

HANDEL

  • "Messiah: Pastoral Symphony"

MOZART

  • "Violin Concerto No. 3 in G: Adagio"
  • "Piano Concerto No. 21 in C: Andante"
  • "Divertimento No. 1 in D"
  • "Eine Klein Nachtmusik: Romanza"
  • Rachmaninoff: "Vocalise"

SCHUMANN

  • "Traumerei"

SCHUBERT

  • "Symphony No. 5 in B-flat: Andante"
  • Tchaikovsky: "The Nutcracker: Pas de deux"

VIVALDI

  • "Concerto No. 4 in F minor (Winter): Largo"
  • "Guitar Concerto in G: Adagio"

Recessional

Recessional music is usually lively and festive, a tune that goes well with a hearty, "Yay! We did it!"

The Old Standbys

  • "The Nutcracker: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies," Tchaikovsky
  • "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro," Mozart
  • "Ode to Joy," Beethoven

Something New

BACH

  • "Flute Sonata No. 4: Allegro"

MOZART

  • "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: Rondo Allegro"
  • "Quintet in D: Finale"

VIVALDI

  • "Concerto No. 1 in E (Spring): Allegro"
  • "Concerto No. 4 in F (Autumn): Allegro"
  • "Concerto No. 5 in E Flat (La tempesta di mare): Presto"
  • "Concerto, RV 436: Allegro"

TCHAIKOVSKY

  • "The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers"