Wedding Music

The part I like best about playing at people’s weddings is watching their faces when they’re saying their vows. I always have the feeling I’m seeing them at their very best. This is, after all, one of the most important and sacred events of their entire lives!

Wedding Music for the Arrival of Guests

Please note: All musical suggestions can be performed on solo guitar, or guitar plus other instrument(s).

The beginning of your ceremony probably has the guests arrive and assemble in advance of the wedding party. Here are some examples of wedding music that I have found work well at this point:

Traditional

• Arioso (Bach) | (solo guitar)
• Air on the G String | | (guitar and flute)
• Andante (Haydn) | (solo guitar)
• Adelita (Tarrega) | (solo guitar)
• Spanish Romance | | (solo guitar)

Modern

• A Time for Us (Rota) | | (guitar and flute)
• In My Life (Beatles) | | (guitar and flute)

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Wedding Music for the Processional (Here Comes the Bride)

Since the entrance of the bride is considered by many to be the peak emotional moment of the day, a distinctive piece of wedding music is certainly called for.

Before going any further, I feel that I need to say that there are no right or wrong choices for your wedding music. If there is a song you really like, one that is really meaningful to the two of you, then by all means include that song in your wedding ceremony. Having said that, here are a few suggestions.:

Traditional

• Canon in D (Pachelbel) | | (solo guitar)
• Canon in D (Pachelbel) | | (guitar and flute)
• Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach) | | (solo guitar)
• Sheep may Safely Graze (Bach) | (solo guitar)
• Air from Water Music (Handel) | (solo guitar)
• Where'er you Walk (Handel) | (solo guitar)
• Trumpet Tune (Purcell) | (solo guitar)
• Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke) | | (guitar and flute)
• Erev Shel Shoshanim (Traditional) | | (guitar and flute)
  • appropriate for a Jewish wedding

Modern

• Here, There and Everywhere (Beatles) | (solo guitar)
• I Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis) | (solo guitar)
• Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers) | (solo guitar)
• Let it be Me (Everly Brothers) | (solo guitar)

One piece or two? One thing to keep in mind is that it doesn't take nearly as long as you might imagine for everyone to process down the aisle, so unless there are a number of people in your wedding party, or there is a significant distance to walk, a single piece of music will probably be all that is needed to process at a stately pace up to the altar. Having said that, many people think the bride should have a separate piece of music just for her. I think the best way to decide is to go with what feels right for you.

Wedding Music for the Interlude (Signing of the Registry)

During the signing of the register, there is usually a pause of several minutes in the proceedings. At this point, couples often choose to have a favourite song performed (perhaps sung by a friend) or a piece of poetry read to musical accompaniment. I have found that a romantic, lyrical, reflective or religious piece works well here. For instance:

Traditional

• Ave Maria (Schubert) | | (guitar and flute)
• Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod) | (solo guitar)
• Theme from Pathetique Sonata (Beethoven) | (solo guitar)
• Panis Angelicus (Franck) | (solo guitar)
  • Catholic -- also appropriate for communion
• Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Tarrega) | | (solo guitar)

Modern

• The Wedding Song (Stookey) | | (guitar and flute)
• I Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis) | (solo guitar)
• Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers) | (solo guitar)
• Let it be Me (Everly Brothers) | (solo guitar)
• In My Life (Beatles) | | (guitar and flute)
• Sunrise, Sunset (Bock) | | (guitar and flute)
  • also appropriate for a Jewish wedding

Wedding Music for the Recessional (Exiting the Chapel Area)

I think a bright, festive piece of wedding music is called for here. Consider:

Traditional

• Wedding March (Mendelssohn) | | (solo guitar)
• Ode to Joy (Beethoven) | (solo guitar)
• Allegro Maestoso (Handel) | (solo guitar)
• Kemp's Jig (Traditional) | (solo guitar)
• Trumpet Voluntary | | (guitar and flute)
• Simon Tov | | (guitar and sax)
  • appropriate for a Jewish wedding

Modern

• Here comes the Sun | | (solo guitar)
• Wonderful World | | (guitar and flute)

Wedding Music for the Reception, Receiving Line, or Dinner

• Quando, Quando | (solo guitar)
• Our Love is here to Stay (Gershwin) | (solo guitar)
• Makin’ Whoopee! | (solo guitar)
• Anniversary Song | | (guitar and flute)

Suggestions from my CD, “Nightingale”:

• New Life (original) |
• Girl from Ipanema |
• Stand by Me |
• Bridge Over Troubled Waters |
• A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square |
• Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You |
• Polka Dots & Moonbeams |
• Gentle Rain |
• Body & Soul |

Remember, whatever your choice of wedding music, it's your day, and there isn't just one right way to celebrate it. The music, like everything else, should be meaningful to the two of you and make a statement about who you are and what you mean to each other.

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