Brides and grooms spend anywhere between several weeks to over a year planning for a wedding, spending time on details that will customize their wedding to their personal taste. Many times, however, when it comes to the ceremony music, they resort to CDs or default to the traditional pieces, not knowing that there are more choices out there.
Weddings are special and each one is unique. That is why Alice works closely with each couple to customize music that reflect that particular couple's tastes, styles, and special memories. (Take a look at some Unique Wedding Programs.)
Here are a few steps to planning the music at your wedding:
- List the order of your ceremony.
This may include: prelude, seating of parents, candle lighting, bridesmaids entrance, flower girls, bridal entrance, special music, communion, message, exchanging of vows, exchanging of rings, unity candle, veil/cord/coin ceremony, sand/rose ceremony, parent appreciation, kiss, recessional.
- Determine where music will be needed in the ceremony music.
Obvious places include the bridal procession and recessional. How about a special number during the public recognition of the parents? Even short interludes could also be used during transitions (between readings, for example) or when waiting for someone to move from one side of the stage to the other.
- Figure out what music you would like.
This is where you can customize your music. Read on for more ideas!
Consider Style
What sort of mood do you want to convey at your wedding? (elegance, joy, casual, reverence, drama)
What style of music would you like in your wedding? (traditional, classical, contemporary, popular music, eclectic, a mix)
For instance, some of these pieces are the same song, but played in different styles.
Find Alternative Sources for Music
You can really have fun with this. One couple liked Disney movies. Alice designed a ceremony that used different love songs from Disney moviesâBeauty and the Beast for the processional, Can You Feel the Love Tonight? from Lion King as a special number, and A Whole New World from Aladdin for the recessional. The music they selected put a smile on everyone's face.
Sources for music include tv shows, movie theme songs, musicals, or albums from their favorite singers or musicians. Couples have used selections from Sound of Music, Pride and Prejudice, Cinema Paradiso, Robotech, Evita, Enter the Dragon, and Cirque du Soleil and have included music ranging from George Winston, Journey, to Celine Dion for their ceremony music. One couple even used a song from a video game!
Sample songs
- 100 Years by Five for Fighting Listen
- A Whole New World from Aladdin
- Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
- China Rose by Enya
- Edelweiss from Sound of Music
- Eyes on Me from Final Fantasy VIII Listen
- Forrest Gump Suite from Forrest Gump
- La valse d'Amelie from Amelie
- Now We are Free from Gladiator
- O from Cirque du Soleil Listen
- She from Notting Hill
- Storybook Love from Princess Bride
- Such Great Heights from Garden State
- Theme from Cinema Paradiso
- Til Kingdom Come by Coldplay
- Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera Listen
- We are the Champions
Mashing it Up: Blending Music
It is easy to incorporate a favorite song into an otherwise traditional piece. One couple a classical recessional piece (Trumpet Tune), but they included a song from the Star Wars series (May the Force Be With You) in the middle of the song. Another couple incorporated the Cal Fight Song into a classical piece (Rigaudon) for their recessional piece. Inspired by these beginnings, many couples have come up with their own creative mixes!
Processional Music Ideas
- Bridal Chorus and Canon in D The traditional piece with a popular classical piece. Other classical pieces are also possible, like Arioso.
- Bridal Chorus and OThe traditional piece paired with a beautiful instrumental piece. Other instrumental pieces can also be incorporated.Listen
- Bridal Chorus and Wonderful TonightThe traditional piece with a contemporary love song. Other love songs are also possible.
- Wedding Medley Mash-UpArranged as a showcase of classical and sacred wedding songs, Alice is able to intertwine various melodies into one cohesive piece. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (beginning) + How Beautiful + Canon in D + I Will Be Here + Sheep May Safely Graze + Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (ending)Listen
Recessional Music Ideas
- Cal Song Mash-Up Rigaudon and the Cal Fight Song on the organListen
- USC Fight Song Mash-Up The Trumpet Tune and the USC Fight Song was the happy ending for two USC alums.
- Arizona Fight Song Mash-Up For the Arizona Die-Hard Family (the groom's family was listening to the game right before the ceremony, and with half an hour to spare, asked Alice to learn the Arizona Fight song and incorporate it into the recessional). She blended the Wedding March with the Arizona Fight Song, and even added (at a groomsman's request) the Cal Fight Song as well.
- Broadway Show Tunes The finale began with the drama of Phantom of the Opera, but also included Broadway hits from Les Mis, Cats, etc.
- Ode to Joy and Looney Tunes This was designed for a couple who loved the classic cartoons.
- Rocky! Starting with the introduction to the Rocky movie theme, Gonna Fly Now, Alice segued into Eye of the Tiger, another Rocky movie favorite.
- Trumpet Tune and May the Force Be With You Used as the recessional, this classical piece was paired with a Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back melody.Listen
- Star Trek: Next Generation and Wedding March A musical debut into worlds unknown.Listen
- Star Wars Mash-Up For a bit of fun, Alice combined the Hallelujah Chorus, the Star Wars Theme Song, the Wedding March, the Throne Room, and Ode to Joy..
Different Textures, Different Instruments
You are not limited to only one instrument, either. You can have soft piano music for the prelude while guests are being seated. Then the heavenly sounds of the harp can be heard during the candle lighting and seating of the parents. The grandiose sound of the pipe organ can announce the entrance of the bridal party and later during the recessional, convey the joy and happiness of the new couple.
Graceful Music can also arrange ensembles for an ethereal experience for your guests, including Piano & Flute, or Harp & Flute.
For the budget conscious, this does not need to break the bank. Because of Alice's versatility, you can have it all in one package!
Add Embellishments
You can add musical decorative touches. One couple had harp glissandos playing during their kiss, to the surprise and delight of their friends and family listen. Another couple used the Hallelujah chorus for their kiss listen.
Parties Galore: Prelude, Cocktail Hour and More
So much music, so little time? Do you have a list of songs that you love but don't know how to incorporate them into your celebrations?
Other ideas include:
| Prelude as guests arrive | Classical selections or contemporary love songs to set the mood |
| Bridal Party Luncheon | Love songs on the Harp |
| Chinese Tea Ceremony Japanese Sake Ceremony Korean Marriage Ceremony | Asian classical and folk songs on the Harp |
| Cocktail Hour | Jazz favorites or love songs on the Piano Beautiful love songs on the Harp Broadway and Show Tunes for a splashy cocktail hour |
| Reception | Beautiful dinner music on the Piano or Harp - perfect because people can enjoy the music but still have conversation without being drowned out |
| Theme Parties | Period pieces centered around the theme. For instance, for a Casablanca theme dinner, Alice played songs like As Time Goes By, It Had to Be You, and La Vie en Rose. Chinese songs for a Chinese New Year Celebration. Broadway showtunes for a splashy cocktail hour. |
The possibilities are endless!
For ideas and stories about real weddings, please click here.
Note: Please check with your officiant before making musical selections. Some faiths, churches or officiants do not allow particular selections for the wedding ceremony.
