Ceremonies can be traditional or whimsical, whatever suits the bride and groom best. Do not limit yourself to what you feel should be played if tradition is not your style. On the other hand, it is perfectly acceptable to choose traditional selections if a classic and timeless ceremony is your ideal. Your disc jockey or musician should be able to provide a variety of selections to suit your taste.
Below is a list of the most classic pieces for wedding ceremonies:
Processional
“Canon in D” (Johann Pachelbel)“Bridal Chorus” from Lohengrin (Richard Wagner)
“Air” from Water Music Suite (George Frederic Handel)
“Wedding March” from The Marriage of Figaro (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
“Trumpet Voluntary in D” (Henry Purcell)
“Trumpet Voluntary” (Jeremiah Clarke)
“Trumpet Voluntary” (John Stanley)
“Guitar Concerto in D Major, Largo” (Antonio Vivaldi)
“Te Deum” (Marc-Antoine Charpentier)
“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (Johann Sebastian Bach)
“Overture” from Royal Fireworks Music (George Frederic Handel)
Traditional Songs for the Recessional
“Ode to Joy” (Ludwig von Beethoven)“Wedding March” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Felix Mendelssohn)
“Brandenburg Concerto No. 1, Allegro” (Johann Sebastian Bach)
“Brandenberg Concerto No. 4, Allegro” (Johann Sebastian Bach)
“Hallelujah Chorus” from The Messiah (George Frederic Handel)
“Spring, Allegro,” from The Four Seasons (Antonio Vivaldi)
“Toccata,” from Symphony 5, opus 42 (Charles-Marie Widor)
“Trumpet Tune and Bell Symphony” (Henry Purcell)
Again, a wide variety of more contemporary, unique selections are also appropriate for wedding ceremonies. You may choose the popular versions by the original artists, or in some cases, softer instrumental versions (such as those on piano or classical guitar) are available as well. Your DJ or musician can guide you to the available versions of your songs of choice.
Processional
“Wedding Processional” from The Sound of Music (Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein)“All I Want Is You” (U2)
“Ribbon in the Sky” (Stevie Wonder)
“Falling Slowly” (Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova)
“Angel” (Sarah McLachlan)
“Only Time” (Enya)
“To Make You Feel My Love” (Adele)
“This Year's Love” (David Gray)
"Forever" (Ben Harper)
Contemporary/Alternative Selections for the Recessional
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered” (Stevie Wonder)“Your Love (Is Lifting Me Higher)” (Otis Redding)
“Here Comes the Sun” (The Beatles)
“This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” (Natalie Cole)
“Tonight, Tonight” (The Smashing Pumpkins)
"Oh, Happy Day" (various artists)
"The Sweetest Thing" (U2)
"I'm Yours" (Jason Mraz)
List by Evan Reitmeyer - President of MyDeejay, Inc.
