A Professional's Advice on Selecting the Wedding Ceremony Music
Part 2

Wedding Bells and Sounds
A Guide to Ceremony Music

by Ralph Lecessi

THE BIG MOMENT - THE BRIDE'S ENTRANCE

The bride's entrance is the most important moment of the wedding day. The music that is played greatly contributes to this lifelong memory. Its role is to announce the bride and focus all attention on her. The volume must be significantly louder than the music played for the attendants. With each step, the bride is assisted by the driving rhythm of the music.

Synonymous with the wedding ceremony, the Bridal Chorus will instantly proclaim your entrance. Or if you prefer, the breathtaking violin arpeggios of the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba are sure to create a lasting impression.

Recommendations:

  • Bridal Chorus (from Lohengrin - Wagner)
  • Arrival of the Queen of Sheeba (Handel)
  • Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke)

THE BODY OF YOUR CEREMONY

If desired, a selection or two may be played during your ceremony. Music can provide a short interlude before a reading, or ambience during the lighting of the unity candle. The selection should have a slow tempo and be played softly. Liturgical works and vocal selections are very suitable.
Recommendations:

  • Panis Angelicas (Franck)
  • Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)

CONGRATULATIONS! - THE RECESSIONAL

The end of the ceremony is usually marked by the bridal kiss or the announcement of the newly married couple. The bride and groom exit arm in arm, followed by the flower girl and ring bearer, the maid of honor and best man, and bridesmaid/usher pairs.

Music should be majestic and played with a quick tempo. The regal melody and powerful orchestration of Ode to Joy will proclaim your union to your guests.

Recommendations:

  • Ode to Joy (from 9th Symphony - Beethoven)
  • Wedding March ( from A Midsummer Night's Dream - Mendelssohn)
THE POSTLUDE

The Postlude begins after the Recessional. Since the music expresses your joy, it should be fast and triumphant. If you form a receiving line after your ceremony, music should be played until all guests have been greeted.


Recommendations:

  • Overture (from Music for the Royal Fireworks - Handel)
  • Rondeau (Mouret)
  • Le Rejouissance (from Music for the Royal Fireworks - Handel)
  • Trumpet Tune and Air (Purcell)
  • Suite in F Major (Handel)
Congratulations and best wishes for a beautiful wedding day!

References and further reading:
1-Gray,Winifred, You and your Wedding, Bantam Books, 1986.
2-Lalli, Cele Goldsmith, et.al., Modern Bride Complete Wedding Planner, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997

Notes
[1] Goldsmith, et.al.,Modern Bride Complete Wedding Planner, 169.
[2] Goldsmith, et.al.,Modern Bride Complete Wedding Planner, 170.

About the Author
Ralph Lecessi has been performing classical music at wedding ceremonies for nearly 20 years. He is a concert soloist at churches and universities. He is also the author of the award winning Ceremony Music Resource Page and the multimedia adventure Journey Down the Aisle. To contact Ralph, or listen online to Ralph playing selections listed in this article, CLICK HERE.


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