Choosing Music Ensembles For the Wedding Ceremony: Helpful Lists of Music Styles and Ensembles
Sometimes choosing music ensembles for your wedding ceremony can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t need to be.
I think that it is wise to first decide which kind on mood, tone or theme that you would like to set for your ceremony. After choosing your tone, selecting the style of music is an easier second step. After choosing the music style, choosing a music ensemble of that style will seem less daunting
Remember that when you get to this step there are many recordings available on web sites and you tube so that you can hear what each ensemble sounds like.
Of course, our wedding music ensembles offered here at MusicRemembrance.com are always available to serve you.
Below are some lists of styles and ensembles that I hope you will find helpful.
STYLES OF MUSIC FOR YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY
- Classical (the most popular choice – includes Baroque and Renaissance Music)
- Acoustic Pop
- Folk
- Christian Popular
- Christian Traditional (hymns and sacred classical pieces)
- Pop
- Rock
- Punk
- Hip Hop
- Alternative Rock
- 1960’s pop
- 1970’s pop
- 1980’s Pop
- 1990’s Pop
- Disco
- Old School
- Reggae
- Ska
- Christmas Music
- Children’s Songs
- Campfire Songs
- Big Band Music
- Retro Swing
- Jazz
- Smooth Jazz
- Fusion
- Bebop
- Cool Jazz
- 1920’s Jazz
- Early Jazz
- Traditional Jazz
- New Orleans Street Beat Jazz
- Vocal Jazz
- Latin Jazz
- Salsa
- Calypso
- Themed Music
- Choral Music
- Opera
- Italian Opera
- Operetta
- Instrumental Music
- Chamber Music
- Wind Ensemble Music
- Orchestral Music
- Marches
- Disney Music
- Movie Themed Music
- Universal Studios Music
- Cartoon Music
- Rap
- Dance Music
- Dance Band Music
- R&B (Rhythm and Blues)
- Country
- Soul
- Blue Grass
- Traditional Jewish
- Cajun Music
- African Music
- Balinese Music
- French/Parisian Music
- Japanese Music
- Chinese Music
- Russian Music
- Ukrainian Music
- Irish Music
- English Music
- German Music
- Middle Eastern Music
- Italian Music
MUSIC ENSEMBLES FOR YOUR WEDDING
CLASSICAL – Chamber Music Ensembles and Orchestras
(Includes Classical, Baroque and Renaissance Music)
Brass
- Brass Quartet
- Brass Quintet
- Brass Choir
- Solo Trumpet
- Trumpet & Organ
- Trumpet & Piano
- Trumpet & String Quartet
- Trumpet & String Orchestra
- Trombone Quartet
- Trombone Choir
- Fanfare Trumpets
Strings
- Solo Harp
- Harp & Violin Duo
- Harp & Guitar Duo
- Harp & Flute Duo
- Harp, Violin and Flute Trio
- String Quartet
- String Trio
- Violin & Cello Duo
- Violin Duo
- Solo Violin
- Strolling Violin
- String Ensemble
- String Orchestra
- Solo Guitar
- Guitar Duo
- Guitar & Bass Duo
- Guitar & Violin Duo
Woodwinds
- Solo Flute
- Flute & Harp Duo
- Flute & Piano Duo
- Flute & Harpsichord Duo
- Flute & Guitar Duo
- Flute, Harp and Violin Trio
- Woodwind Trio
- Woodwind Quintet
Keyboard
- Organ
- Piano
- Piano Duo
- B-3 Organ
- Harpsichord
- Electric Piano (Great for outdoor weddings)
Orchestras
- Symphony Orchestra
- Chamber Orchestra
- String Orchestra
Percussion
- Percussion Ensemble
- Drum Ensemble
- Marimba Ensemble
CHORAL MUSiC -Classical/Pop/Folk/Traditional Christian Music
- Choir
- A cappella Choir
- Vocal Ensemble
- Choir with Pianist
- Choir with Organ
- Choir with Organ and Brass Quartet
- Choir with Chamber Orchestra
- Choir with Symphony Orchestra
OPERA
- Soprano Soloist
- Alto Soloist
- Tenor Soloist
- Baritone Soloist
- Bass Soloist
- Italian Tenor
- Opera Singer with Piano
- Opera Singer with String Quartet
- Opera Singer with Piano and String Quartet
- Opera SInger and Chamber Orchestra
- Opera SInger with Symphony Orchestra
- Opera Troupes
- Opera Singers with the Ensembles Above
ITALIAN OPERA
- Italian Tenor
- Three Italian Tenors
- Soprano Soloist
- Alto Soloist
- Baritone Soloist
- Bass Soloist
- Opera Singer with Piano
- Opera Singer with String Quartet
- Opera Singer with Piano and String Quartet
- Opera SInger and Chamber Orchestra
- Opera SInger with Symphony Orchestra
- Opera Troupes
- Opera Singers with the Ensembles Above
OPERETTA
- Soprano Soloist
- Alto Soloist
- Tenor Soloist
- Baritone Soloist
- Bass Soloist
- Vocalist with Piano
- Vocalist with String Quartet
- Vocalist with Piano and String Quartet
- Vocalist and Chamber Orchestra
- Vocalist with Symphony Orchestra
- Operetta Troupes
- Operetta Singers with the Ensembles Above
INSTRUMENTAL
- All of the Ensembles listed under Classical
WIND ENSEMBLE MUSIC
- Wind Ensemble
- Concert Band
MARCHES
- Marching Band
- Concert Band
- Wind Ensemble
- Sousa Band
- Brass Band
- English Brass Band
- Orchestra
- German Band
- Drum and Bugle Corp
- Marching Stage Show Act
- Trash Can Drum Ensembles
ACOUSTIC POP
- Solo Guitar
- Guitar & Voice
- Guitar & Vocals
- Guitar Duo
- Guitar Duo & Voice
- Guitar Duo & Vocals
- Guitar & Upright Bass Duo
- Guitar, Upright Bass & Vocalist
- Guitar, Upright Bass & Vocalists
- String Quartet
- String Quartet & Singer
- String Quartet & Singers
- Solo Piano
- Piano & Voice
- Piano Duo
- Piano Duo & Singer
- Piano Duo & Singers
- Piano & Guitar Duo
- Piano & Guitar Duo & Singer
- Piano & Guitar Duo & Singers
- Piano, Guitar & Bass Trio
- Piano, Guitar & Bass Trio & Singer
- Piano, Guitar & Bass Trio & Singers
- Guitar, Bass & Drums Trio
- Guitar, Bass & Drums Trio & Vocalist
- Guitar, Bass & Drums Trio & Vocalists
- Piano, Bass & Drums Trio
- Piano, Bass & Drums Trio & Singer
- Piano, Bass & Drums Trio & Singers
- Guitar, Piano, Bass & Drums Quartet
- Guitar, Piano, Bass & Drums Quartet & Singer
- Guitar, Piano, Bass & Drums Quartet & Singers
FOLK
Same Ensembles as Acoustic Pop
CHRISTIAN POPULAR
- Contemporary Christian Band (consists of Piano, Bass, Keyboard, guitar(s) )
- Contemporary Christian Band & Singer or Singers
- Contemporary Christian Band, Singer(s) & Horn Section
CHRISTIAN TRADITIONAL
Same Ensembles from Classical Ensemble List
JAZZ MUSIC
- Jazz Combo
- Jazz Combo with Singer
- Jazz Big Band
- Jazz Big Band with Singer
- Jazz Quintet
- Jazz Quartet
- Jazz Trio
- Jazz Duo
- Solo Jazz Piano
- Jazz Piano with Singer
- Jazz Piano Duo
- Jazz Piano Duo with Singer
- Solo Jazz Guitar
- Jazz Guitar with Singer
VOCAL JAZZ
- Vocal Jazz Quartet
- Vocal Jazz Group
- Vocal Jazz Choir
- Swing Choir
- Swing Era Vocal Jazz Trio with Big Band
- Swing Era Vocal Jazz Quartet with Big Band
- Vocal Jazz Group with Jazz Combo
BIG BAND MUSIC
- Big Band
- Big Band with Vocalist
- Jazz Big Band
- Jazz Big Band with Vocalist
- Avante Guard Big Band
- Studio Orchestra
- Society Orchestra
RETRO SWING
- Big Band
- Big Band with Singer
- Big Band with Singers
- 6-piece Big Band
- 6 piece Big Band with Singer
- 6 piece Big Band with Singers
DIXIELAND
- Dixieland Jazz Band
- New Orleans Funeral Band
- Dixieland Combo
- Solo Dixieland Pianist
- Solo Dixieland Pianist with Vocalist
- Solo Dixieland Guitarist
- Solo Dixieland Guitarist with Vocalist
- Solo Dixieland Banjo Player
- Solo Dixieland Banjo Player with Vocalist
- Zydeco Band
- Dixieland Trio
- Dixieland Quartet
- Dixieland Quintet
- Dixieland Sextet
1920’s JAZZ
- Society Jazz Orchestra
- Dixieland Jazz Band
- New Orleans Funeral Band
- Dixieland Combo
- Solo Dixieland Pianist
- Solo Dixieland Pianist with Vocalist
- Solo Dixieland Guitarist
- Solo Dixieland Guitarist with Vocalist
- Solo Dixieland Banjo Player
- Solo Dixieland Banjo Player with Vocalist
- Dixieland Trio
- Dixieland Quartet
- Dixieland Quintet
- Dixieland Sextet
SMOOTH JAZZ
- Smooth Jazz Ensemble
- Smooth Jazz Ensemble with Vocalist
FUSION
- Jazz/Rock Fusion Band (Duo, Trio, Quartet, Quintet, Sextet, Septet…..)
- Jazz /Rock Fusion Band with Vocalist
- Jazz /Rock Fusion Band with Horns
- Jazz/Rock Fusion Band with Horns and Vocalist
COOL JAZZ
- Cool Jazz Trio
- Cool Jazz Quartet
- Cool Jazz Quintet
- Cool Jazz Sextet
- Cool Jazz Orchestra
- Studio Orchestra
BEBOP
- Solo Bebop Pianist
- Pianist with Singer
- Piano Duo
- Jazz Piano Duo with Singer
- Piano & Guitar Duo
- Solo Guitar
- Guitar & Singer
- Guitar Duo
- Combo
- Combo with Singer
- Big Band
- Big Band with Singer
- 4 piece Combo
- 5 piece Combo
- 3 piece Combo
- Big Band
LATIN JAZZ
- Latin Jazz Band
- Solo Pianist
- Pianist with Bass and Percussion
- Pianist with Singer
- Piano Duo
- Jazz Piano Duo with Singer
- Piano & Guitar Duo
- Solo Guitar
- Guitar & Singer
- Guitar Duo
- Combo
- Combo with Singer
- Big Band
- Big Band with Singer
- 10 Piece Latin Jazz Band
- 9 piece, 8 piece, 7 piece, and 6 piece Latin Jazz Bands
- 4 piece Combo
- 5 piece Combo
- 3 piece Combo
- Big Band
SALSA
- Salsa Bands of various sizes
CALYPSO
- Steel Drum Band
- Calypso Band
REGGAE
- Reggae Band
- Ska Band
1950’s POP, 1960’s POP, 1970’s POP,1980’s POP 1990’s POP
- 1950’s Band, 1960’s Pop Band, 1970’s Pop Band, 1980’s Pop Band, 1990’s Pop Band
Some bands specialize in these eras and dress in era costumes
POP
- Pop band with Singer
- Pop band with Singers
- Pop band with singers & Horn Section
ROCK
- Rock Band with Singer(s)
- Rock Band with Singer(s) & Horn Section
RHYTHM AND BLUES
- Rhythm and Blues Band
- Rhythm and Blues Band with Horn Section
- Solo Piano
- Pianist/Singer
- Piano Duo
- Solo Guitar
- Guitarist and SInger
COUNTRY
- Country Band
- Solo Guitar
- Guitar and Singer
- Guitar Duo and Singer
- Vocal Quartet
BLUE GRASS
- Blue Grass Band
- Solo Banjo
- Banjo and Singer
- Guitar and Singer
- Blue Grass Quartet
- Banjo and Fiddle Duo
- Banjo, Fiddle and Bass
SOUL
- Soul Band
DANCE MUSIC
- Wedding Band
- Pop Band
- Variety Band
- Big Band
- Band with Record Scratcher
RAP
- Rapper
- Rapper with Band
- Rapper with Band and Video
HIP HOP
- Band with Vocalist/Rapper
PUNK
- Punk Rock Band
ETHNIC MUSIC
Traditional Jewish
- Traditional Jewish Ensembles
- Jewish Band: Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Trumpet, Trombone, Sax
- Small Jewish Band: Guitar or Piano, Bass, Drums, Soprano Sax
Cajun Music
- Traditional Cajun Ensemble
- Early Jazz Ensemble
- Solo Guitar
- Guitar & Vocal Duo
- Guitar Duo
- Guitar Duo & Vocal
- Guitar & Bass Duo
- Guitar, Bass & Vocal Trio
- Violin & Guitar Duo
- Violin, Guitar & Vocal Trio
- Violin, Guitar & Bass Trio
- Violin, Guitar, Bass & Vocal Quartet
African Music
- Traditional African Music Ensembles
- Drum Ensembles
- Drum Ensembles with Voice
- Percussion Ensembles
- Percussion Ensembles with Voice
- Traditional African Music Ensemble & Vocals
Balinese Music
- Traditional Balinese Music Ensembles
- Balinese Gamelan Ensemble
Italian Music
- Traditional Italian Bands of various sizes
- Solo Vocalist
- Strolling Vocalist
Spanish Music
- Traditional Spanish Ensembles
- Flamenco Guitar
- Guitar Duo
- Guitar Trio
- Guitar Ensemble
Japanese Music
- Traditional Japanese Ensembles
- Bamboo Flute
- Flute
Chinese Music
- Traditional Chinese Ensembles
Russian Music
- Traditional Russian Bands
- Solo Violin
Ukrainian Music
- Traditional Ukrainian Bands
- Solo Violin
Irish Music
- Traditional Irish Bands
- Traditional Irish Pub Sing-a-long bands
German
- Traditional German Bands
- Polka Bands
Middle Eastern Music
- Traditional Middle Eastern Ensembles
CHRISTMAS MUSIC
- All of the above classical ensembles
- All of the above jazz ensembles
- Pop Bands
THEMED MUSIC
CHILDRENS SONGS
- Singer
- Guitar and Singer
- Piano and Singer
- 2 Singers
- 2 Singers with Guitar
- Vocal Group
- Vocal Group with Guitar
- Singer with Band
- Singers with Band
CAMPFIRE SONGS
- Singer
- Guitar and Singer
- 2 Singers
- 2 Singers with Guitar
- Vocal Group
- Vocal Group with Guitar
- Singer with Band
- Singers with Band
Once you have selected a style of music for your wedding ceremony selecting the ensemble should be much simpler. I hope that you find this list of music styles and music ensembles for each style helpful. Orlando’s Music Remembrance carries all of these ensembles and more.
2 comments on “Choosing Music Ensembles For the Wedding Ceremony: Helpful Lists of Music Styles and Ensembles”
Your comments are welcomed!
I’ve been to a lot of weddings and most bands have been very good but they tend to play the same type of music. It would be nice to see a unique band at a wedding reception besides the old run of the mill top 40 band. Maybe a funky smooth jazz group or a country band could really create a great memory depending on the likes of the wedding party.
Using something unique like a country band or funky smooth jazz band will certainly make a wedding reception memorable,distinctive and personal. (BTW, Music Remembrance can provide those and other unique bands.)