Prelude — As Guests Arrive
Prelude music is played while guests are arriving and being seated, usually for 15–30 minutes before the ceremony begins. The music should feel warm, romantic, and welcoming without being overly dramatic.
| Modern & Indie Options | Traditional Options |
|---|---|
| Anchor — Novo Amor | Air on the G String — J.S. Bach |
| Bloom — The Paper Kites | Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring — J.S. Bach |
| Heartbeats — José González | Clair de Lune — Claude Debussy |
| Mystery of Love — Sufjan Stevens | The Swan — Camille Saint-Saëns |
| Skinny Love — Bon Iver | Gymnopédie No. 1 — Erik Satie |
| Young & Beautiful — Lana Del Rey | Minuet in G — Christian Petzold |
| No One’s Gonna Love You — Band of Horses | Prelude in C Major, BWV 846 — J.S. Bach |
| Lovesong — The Cure | Largo from Xerxes — Handel |
| Maps — Yeah Yeah Yeahs | Flower Duet from Lakmé — Léo Delibes |
Wedding Party Processional
This music accompanies the entrance of parents, grandparents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and/or other members of the wedding party. These selections can gradually build anticipation while leaving room for the bride’s entrance to have its own special musical moment.
| Modern & Indie Options | Traditional Options |
|---|---|
| Falling Slowly — Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová | Canon in D — Pachelbel |
| First Day of My Life — Bright Eyes | Arioso — J.S. Bach |
| Turning Page — Sleeping at Last | Sheep May Safely Graze — J.S. Bach |
Bridal Processional — Walking Down the Aisle
The bride’s entrance is often the musical highlight of the ceremony. Slower, expressive selections work especially well here and help make the walk down the aisle feel distinct and memorable.
| Modern & Indie Options | Traditional Options |
|---|---|
| A Thousand Years — Christina Perri | Bridal Chorus (“Here Comes the Bride”) — Wagner |
| Flightless Bird, American Mouth — Iron & Wine | Trumpet Voluntary — Jeremiah Clarke |
Ceremony Interlude
Some ceremonies include music during a unity candle, communion, signing of the marriage license, prayer, remembrance, or another meaningful pause.
| Modern & Indie Options | Traditional Options |
|---|---|
| There Is a Light That Never Goes Out — The Smiths | Ave Maria — Schubert |
| Starlight — Muse | Meditation from Thaïs — Jules Massenet |
Recessional — The Newlyweds’ Exit
Once the couple is pronounced married, the recessional should feel joyful, energetic, and celebratory. This is usually the brightest and most upbeat musical moment of the ceremony.
| Modern & Indie Options | Traditional Options |
|---|---|
| Ho Hey — The Lumineers | Wedding March — Felix Mendelssohn |
| Home — Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros | Ode to Joy — Beethoven |
| Such Great Heights — The Postal Service | Hornpipe from Water Music — Handel |