Setting the Ceremony Tone: More Than Just "Here Comes the Bride"
Your ceremony music creates the emotional foundation for your entire wedding. Forum discussions reveal couples spending weeks agonising over these choices. Here's what works.
Prelude Music (Guest Arrival)
Start 30 minutes before ceremony: - Classical: Bach's "Air on the G String", Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" - Contemporary: Instrumental versions of Ed Sheeran, Coldplay - Irish: Traditional harp music, Celtic instrumentals - Jazz: Norah Jones instrumentals, Michael Bublé covers
Forum tip: "We created a 45-minute playlist. Guests commented how the music helped them relax and set the mood. Don't underestimate prelude importance!"
Processional Options (Walking Down the Aisle)
Traditional Choices: - "Canon in D" - Pachelbel (classic for a reason) - "Bridal Chorus" - Wagner (Here Comes the Bride) - "Wedding March" - Mendelssohn - "Trumpet Voluntary" - Clarke
Modern Alternatives: - "A Thousand Years" - Christina Perri (instrumental) - "Marry Me" - Train - "All of Me" - John Legend (piano version) - "Perfect" - Ed Sheeran (string quartet)
Unique Choices That Worked: - "Concerning Hobbits" - Lord of the Rings soundtrack - "Glasgow Love Theme" - Love Actually soundtrack - "Married Life" - UP soundtrack - "Tale as Old as Time" - Beauty and the Beast
The Timing Challenge
Most processionals need 3-5 minutes of music. Solutions: - Different songs for wedding party and bride - One long piece with natural progression - Loop a shorter piece (only with live musicians) - Start bride's entrance at specific musical moment
Religious Ceremony Considerations
Many churches have restrictions: - No secular music allowed - Approved song lists only - Organ or acoustic only - Must use church musicians
Always check with your officiant. One bride discovered two days before that her church banned "Canon in D" as "overused"!
Civil Ceremony Freedom
Civil ceremonies offer more flexibility: - Any music style acceptable - Recorded music usually fine - Contemporary songs welcomed - Personal meaningful choices encouraged
The Register Signing Interlude
Often forgotten but important: - 2-3 songs needed (10-15 minutes) - Keep guests entertained - Popular: "She's Always a Woman", "Your Song", "The Luckiest" - Consider live performance by musical friends
Recessional Celebrations
Joyful Classics: - "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" - Stevie Wonder - "All You Need Is Love" - Beatles - "I'm a Believer" - The Monkees - "Walking on Sunshine" - Katrina and the Waves
Modern Energy: - "Shut Up and Dance" - Walk the Moon - "I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz - "Home" - Edward Sharpe - "Best Day of My Life" - American Authors
Irish Touches
Incorporating heritage: - Processional: "She Moved Through the Fair" (haunting and beautiful) - Signing: Traditional Irish blessing set to music - Recessional: "The Irish Rover" or "Whiskey in the Jar" (for fun couples)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not checking song lyrics thoroughly (avoid references to breakups!)
- Choosing music that's too quiet for outdoor ceremonies
- Forgetting to coordinate with musicians/DJ
- Not having backup for technical failures
- Processional music that's too short
Real Couple Win
"Our guitarist learned 'Stairway to Heaven' for my processional (I'm a rock chick). The acoustic version was hauntingly beautiful. My husband didn't recognise it until halfway through - his face was priceless!" - Siobhan, 2024