Today’s bride is choosing ceremony music to fit her personality.
More and more brides want pop tunes for all entrances and recessionals. Canon in D maybe losing ground to Vitamin String Quartet, country & western or even Michael Jackson! Why? I think today’s young couples have less of a connection to the distant past than ever before. We haven’t played the traditional “Bride’s Processional” in several months. This year has seen a major increase in using songs from Lifehouse, Clint Black, & Coldplay or classic oldies like “At Last”, “All You Need Is Love” & “I’ll Be There.” Does the bride risk losing credibility by using pop songs for a serious and solemn wedding ceremony? Lighten up, Francis! If she has dreamed her entire life of walking up the aisle to Etta James why should anyone deny her?
Why should a classical title be any different than a popular title?
There is no solid rule of thumb so use whatever you like. My only parting thought is to be tasteful and thoughtful of family & guests attending your ceremony.
Below you’ll find a list of recessional songs many bride’s have used, some classical and some different;
All You Need Is Love (String Quartet Tribute to the Beatles)
Allegro (Violin Concerto)
Allegro From Spring – Orchestral Faster
Arrival Of The Queen of Sheba
Bach Cantata No 1
Back In Black
Concerto Alla Rusica
Concerto For Two Trumpets In Bb
Concerto grosso Op. 6/1 ‘A tempo giusto’ ( George Frideric Handel )
Don’t Stop Believing (The String Quartet Tribute to Journey)
Eine Kleine Nactmusik
The Four Seasons: Winter IV. Allegro for Brass
God Only Knows
Hornpipe – Guitar
Mama Mia Overture / Prologue (edit end out)
Music For Royal Fireworks
Sweet Child O’ Mine
Tambourin – Tambourin en Rondeau ( Jean-Philippe Rameau )
Trumpet Tune (Trumpet & Organ)
Variation In Sonata In A
Viva la Vida
Wedding March – Wedding Recessional
Wedding March Recessional (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)
Wedding Recessional – Guitar
Wedding Recessional – Piano
Wedding Recessional – Pipe Organ
Wind Dancer
You Shook Me All Night Long (String Quartet Tribute to AC/DC)
There are so many different ways to musically approach every ceremony, it’s best to work with your DJ or live musicians to make sure they understand and offer what you want. Music edits maybe needed so the flow of an entrance or unity candle presentation looks and sounds it’s best.
A great place in the ceremony for some personal music choices is either prelude or postlude, most brides will probably not hear much of the prelude but once the ceremony is over and you are greeting guests or releasing rows you’ll be able to pay attention to some postlude selections. Beach themes, light pop, light rock or light jazz work great for postlude music as guests are ready to now enjoy your reception and have a little fun!