Music

Wedding Processional Music to Wedding Reception Songs
Music plays an important role in any wedding, both in the ceremony and at the reception. This “language of the spirit” (Kahlil Gibran) expresses the solemnity of the occasion as well as your joy as you celebrate with family and friends. Your musical choices will likely be dictated by the location, formality, tone, and theme of your wedding, and will ideally reflect the personalities and cultures of the bride and groom.

There are four opportunities to incorporate music into your wedding ceremony:

Cul de Sax: Saxophone Quartet Elegant musical stylings from the baroque to Broadway

The prelude is played while guests are arriving at the church and until the bride is set to begin her walk down the aisle.

The wedding processional music is played at the bride’s arrival and the procession of the bridal party down the aisle. It must last until the bride joins the groom at the altar. The most traditional choice is Wagner’s Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin (Here Comes the Bride).

Incidental music may be performed throughout the ceremony, usually by soloists. Hymns or instrumental pieces may also be sung or played during the ceremony.

The recessional is played at the end of the ceremony as the couple walks down the aisle together. One of the most popular pieces is Mendelssohn’s Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Traditional Selections and Classical Wedding Music:

Traditional instrumentation includes organ or piano, harp, flute, and strings. For simpler wedding ceremony music, choose a single instrument or a solo vocalist. For something a little different, hire a saxophone quartet or a calypso band. If you’re musical, another option is to write a song or piece of music that a friend or family member can perform during the ceremony. You might even want to sing your vows as a song!

TIP: Have your musical choices approved by your officiant before booking any musicians.

Wedding reception songs are often provided by a DJ. This music may include traditional dances, such as the first dance, father/daughter, mother/son, etc. The DJ will take your requests for these special dances, and may also take requests from your guests as well as playing an agreed-upon music list. You may also want your DJ to coordinate some of the events of the reception; discuss these details with your DJ when you book them for your reception. You will want a DJ with an extensive music selection to choose from, with wedding experience and with good references. Check with previous clients to make sure your DJ will keep guests entertained and enjoying themselves.