If you’re thinking of tying the knot (and you’ve been lucky enough to secure the date), then now’s the time to start planning the music. Here are some suggestions for the best wedding music out there, whether you're getting married in a church with an organist in tow or you've opted for a registry office ceremony.
But first things first. Will you have the services of a choir? Will your organist be up to the musical demands you throw at them? It’s worth asking these questions. A choir can add a considerable sense of occasion to a service. On the other send of the scale, a poor organist can ruin it. Know what you’re dealing with, and if you sense that the musical skills on offer won’t be up to scratch, hire someone in. You won’t regret it.
A top tip for planning your wedding music
We can’t stress enough the importance of sitting down with your musicians to talk about the music that will work for your wedding. Will your ideas translate well to the realities of a small parish church with a dodgy one-manual organ, for instance? There is a lot to ponder, but seek help from those in the know.
For the music before the ceremony, you could let the organist choose their own programme to amuse the congregation, but we’d advise against that. Meet up with the organist and discuss options, knowing that a wedding congregation will talk at the top of their voices in the half hour or so leading up to the start of the service. So, mix soft pieces with some spectacular, louder works to keep everyone on their toes.
The best pieces of classical music for weddings
Organ music for the entrance of the bride: the wedding processional for walking down the aisle
Handel: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Handel’s ‘Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’ is a majestic classic, and nothing says 'the bride is a queen' quite like this piece. Be aware, however, that this is a tricky piece for organists to perform, so beware. If you've got an organist lined up for your church wedding, make sure you attend a few services before you plan the music. That way, you can get a sense of what type of music they usually play – and, to be frank, whether they're any good!
Wagner: Bridal Chorus 'Here Comes the Bride'
You don’t have to go for Wagner’s ‘Bridal Chorus’ (‘Here comes the bride’), although it can easily be timed by the organist to end suitably when the bride reaches the altar. This is something always worth bearing in mind when planning your wedding music – how long are the pieces and will you have any awkward moments of waiting around or having to rush through? Both are best avoided.
Pachelbel: Canon
Johann Pachelbel’s Canon is another popular choice for weddings, and your congregation will be in no doubt about where they are. If you've coughed up for a string ensemble, this might be a nice one to choose. It begins with an intimate solo cello line, before the other instruments join in. That said, it's not exactly a hugely exciting piece, so may have your congregation snoozing before you even begin.
- We named Johann Pachelbel one of the greatest German composers of all time
Jeremiah Clarke: Trumpet Voluntary
If you've got a trumpeter to hand, Jeremiah Clarke’s Trumpet Voluntary is a fun addition to any set of wedding music. It's often misattributed to Henry Purcell, so you may be familiar with it under a different – and incorrect – name. It's also known as the 'Prince of Denmark's March' and Charles and Diana included it in their wedding music selection. We also included it in our survey of the best trumpet music.
Handel: Water Music
The 'Alla Hornpipe' from Handel’s Water Music (Suite No. 1) is also a jolly addition to a wedding music programme. If it's majesty you're after, this has it in spades. How about hiring a trumpeter to provide the melodic line for this piece or Jeremiah Clarke's Trumpet Tune?
Handel: Zadok the Priest
If you have a choir, you could try the opening of Handel’s Zadok the Priest. It was one of Handel's coronation anthems, composed for the coronation of George II in 1727, so it's full of pomp and circumstance. You probably can't get away with doing this one without a choir though, so only one for those with a nice big budget or a few talented singer friends who might be generous enough to loan their voices for the afternoon!
Parry: I Was Glad
Parry's anthem I Was Glad has been used in many coronation ceremonies, so it's another for those wanting a more dramatic flavour of classical music in their wedding. In fact, it was included in Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding music choices in 2011, which BBC Music Magazine named as one of the best choices of classical music at Royal Weddings. It's worth noting, however, that I Was Glad isn't a short piece, so don’t start walking up the aisle until the final minute or so.
Finzi: My Spirit Sang All Day
Gerald Finzi’s My Spirit Sang All Day is a more modern choral work that might be worth considering in your choices of classical music for weddings. My Spirit Sang All Day is from a set of seven part-song settings of poetry by Robert Bridges and is a declaration of the joy of love, full of brightness and ecstasy.
Music for the signing of the register
The signing of the register is where hired musicians will come into their own – singers, choirs and organists will have a ready collection of suitable music to perform while you pop into the vestry with the in-laws and parents to do the legal bits and bobs. You’ll have around ten minutes to fill, so you could get the choir to sing any number of choral works.
Choral works by John Rutter
John Rutter is a great composer to look at when planning classical music for weddings, because he writes contemporary but timeless classics which are easy on the ear. His Gaelic Blessing is a good choice if you've got a few singers floating around. The line 'Deep peace' returns again and again, which sets a more calm tone after all the excitement of the ceremony. The Lord bless you and keep you is another beautiful offering from the English composer, which is more sacred in approach.
Tallis: If Ye Love Me
If ye love Me, by the great Tudor composer Thomas Tallis, is a simply scored masterpiece. The motet is often chosen for royal weddings, so why shouldn't it be included in yours as well?
Fauré: Cantique de Jean Racine
Gabriel Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine is more fiddly for both choir and organist, but worth it if you've got talented musicians to hand. There's also a really lovely arrangement that John Rutter's made for strings and harp, if that's an easier configuration of instruments for you to source.
- Fauré features in our list of the greatest French composers of all time
Mozart: Ave verum
Mozart’s Ave verum was written while the composer was visiting his wife Constanze, who was pregnant with their sixth child. It's an elegant work that sits nicely in this portion of the ceremony without being too invasive. Elgar’s Ave verum would also go down well as an alternative.
Vaughan Williams: Rhosymedre
If you've got an organist and fancy something quiet and contemplative during the signing of the register, Rhosymedre by Vaughan Williams works nicely, or perhaps some French Romantic music. Rhosymedre was used during Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding, as well as the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
JS Bach: Chorale Preludes
Bach always works. He fits any point in the wedding ceremony, and some chorale preludes work nicely for the signing of the register. Perhaps you could also consider a sprightly prelude and fugue?
Schubert: Ave Maria
If your resources are slightly more slimmed down, a solo singer could perform Schubert’s Ave Maria. It's one of the most famous pieces of classical music in the world, so you won't get any points for originality, but that doesn't stop it being a great choice of classical music for weddings.
Franck: Panis angelicus
César Franck’s Panis angelicus is packed full of soaring soprano lines and the melody is famous enough that the congregation will find themselves nodding away. A great choice for any engaged couple.
Music for walking back down the aisle: the recessional of the newlyweds
Mendelssohn: Wedding March
Of course, Mendelssohn’s 'Wedding March' from A Midsummer Night's Dream is entirely suitable and probably the most famous piece of classical music for weddings used the world over. For something a little different, how about these other suggestions below. They should be approached with caution, however, as they are for skilled organists only.
Toccata from Widor’s Symphony No. 5
This is a high-spirited finish to any wedding, which will leave the congregation feeling giddy with excitement and drama. It's a great choice for wedding organ music, but in typical toccata style it is far from easy. Make sure your organist is comfortable with the notes, because there are certainly a lot of them!
Finale from Vierne’s Symphony No. 1
This is another intensely dramatic choice to finish off your wedding, but whatever was wrong with a little bit of drama?! If you like the Widor Organ Symphony, you'll probably enjoy this too.
Mulet’s Carillon-Sortie
If your organist has got a steady left hand, the Carillon-Sortie by French composer Henri Mulet (1878-1967) is worth considering when compiling your playlist of classical music for weddings. It's a brilliant final voluntary which mimics the sounds of bells, and is a stunning multi-layered offering.
JS Bach: Prelude and Fugue in G BWV 541
This sunny Prelude and Fugue by Bach is full of joy and humour. If you don't necesssarily want big drama, but you do want fun, this is the organ piece for you to leave your wedding to. The repeated notes create a lovely 'bopping' feel that'll keep your congregation on their toes. It's Bach at his most euphoric.
Walton: Crown Imperial
Crown Imperial is an orchestral march which was initially commissioned for the coronation of King George VI in 1937 and comes with all the pomp and circumstance you'd expect from a coronation march. Sweeping melodies abound, with plenty of drama throughout. Whether you've got a live orchestra to hand or simply a Bluetooth speaker, Walton's Crown Imperial is undoubtedly one of the best pieces of classical music for weddings.
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