Ceremony Information

Music Suggestions for your Wedding

Weddings are important events in our lives, and we celebrate them in a variety of ways. In many cultures weddings are at the heart of the life in the community, and the use of music to enhance the experience is almost universal. 

There are pieces of music from the classical repertoire that have become so closely associated with the ceremony that just a few notes from the tunes will immediately make people think "wedding". Below are a few traditional suggestions which you may want to consider. 

Firstly here are those traditional favourites: 

• Bridal Chorus by Richard Wagner - often played as a processional as the bride enters. 
• Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn - often played as a closing processional as the couple leave. 

Other pieces from the classical repertoire: 

• Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel 
• Prelude No. 1 from Book 1 of the 48 by Johann Sebastian Bach 
• Fur Elise by Ludwig van Beethoven 
• Symphony No. 7 in A, 2nd movement by Ludwig van Beethoven 
• Prelude No. 6 by Frederic Chopin 
• Prelude No. 7 by Frederic Chopin 
• Arabeque No. 1 from Deux Arabesque by Claude Debussy 
• Symphony 5, 4th movement extract by Gustav Mahler 
• Gymnopedie No. 1 by Erik Satie 

In addition to these pieces above, you will find a number of pieces from traditional Church music such as the following: 

• Tallis' Canon by Thomas Tallis 
• Third Mode Melody by Thomas Tallis 

Or what about the traditional piece Greensleeves? This can be played on a variety of instruments. 

From the Scottish music tradition, pieces like Highland Cathedral, Sands of Kuwait, Calum’s Road, Kate Martin’s Waltz and the Bays of Harris, have become very popular. 

Please don’t get overwhelmed by the choice of music! Let your organist guide you to the pieces that will be right for you.