Classical music in wedding ceremonies set an elegant tone for wedding ceremonies. Couples around the world often have the same questions concerning the use of traditional classical music for each segment of their wedding ceremony.

The most common question is, “What are the traditional pieces for the wedding ceremony and when do I use them?”

There are pieces that are the most traditional and popular choices when using classical music in wedding ceremonies. Below are lists of the most traditional choices for the different segments of your wedding ceremony. You can listen to these pieces on the our website or by performing a Google search of the titles.

Music For the Bridal Party Processional (Entrance)

The bridal party processional can be accompanied by several pieces if you have a large bridal party or would just like different songs for different members of the bridal party.  The most traditional arrangement is to have the mothers, minister, groom and groomsmen enter to one soft piece that is not on the list below. (If the groomsmen are escorting the brides maids only the mothers minister, groom and best man would enter to this first song.) This would be followed by the flower girls, ring bearer, and brides maids entering to one of the music selections from below. There are of course many variations on this arrangement for different religions, cultures and preferences but this is the most common arrangement for bridal party entrance music at wedding ceremonies.

• Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke (the most popular and traditional selection)
• Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach
• Canon in D by Pachelbel
• Trumpet Tune by Purcell
• Rondeau (Theme from Masterpiece Theatre) by Mouret
• Hornpipe (Allegro Maestoso) from Water Music by Handel
• Te Deum by Charpentier

Music for the Bridal Processional (Entrance)

• Bridal Chorus by Wagner also known as Here Comes the Bride (the most popular and traditional selection)
• Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach
• Canon in D by Pachelbel
• Trumpet Tune by Purcell
• Rondeau (Theme from Masterpiece Theatre) by Mouret
• Hornpipe (Allegro Maestoso) from Water Music by Handel
• Te Deum by Charpentier
• Trumpet Voluntary

Music for Unity Candle/Sand/Crystal Ceremony, Wine Ceremony, Rose Presentations or Similar Section of the Service Requiring Background Music

• Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach or Canon in D by Pachebel, if not used for bride or bridal party
• Ave Maria by Schubert
• Ave Maria by Bach
• O Perfect Love by Barnby
• Panis Angelicus by Frank
• One Hand, One Heart by Bernstein
• Sheep May Safely Graze by Bach
• Evening Prayer by Humperdink
• Hymns

Music for the Bridal Party Recessional (Return down the aisle at the conclusion of the wedding ceremony)

• Wedding March by Mendelssohn (the most popular and traditional Selection)
• La Rejouissance by Handel
• Trumpet Tune by Purcell
• Rondeau (Theme from Masterpiece Theatre) by Mouret
• Elsa’s Procession from The Cathedral by Wagner
• Ode to Joy by Beethoven
• Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke

Seating and Exiting Music for Wedding Guests

• A mix of soft classical music

I hope that you find these lists of wedding ceremony music helpful.  If you have any questions about wedding ceremony music Music Remembrance is always glad to help whether you are client or not.