Music for a Church Ceremony

String quartet

The correct choice of wedding music can really add to your church ceremony.

A wedding ceremony in most Christian churches has the following segments to which music is traditionally played:

  • The Entrance of the Bride

  • The Hymns

  • Signing of the Register

  • The Recessional (the exit of the couple)

Musicians and pre-recorded music

Most churches have a resident organist. Some will have the facility to play recorded music, but be advised that this is not always the case. Our advice is to go with some form of live music. Surprisingly it is not as expensive as you might think. A church organist can play many tunes and will be happy to accommodate your wishes. Alternatively you may want a string quartet or a soloist singer. Whatever you chose, you will need to discuss with your minister in advance and he will advise you if you are unsure.

Christmas Church Weddings

If you are getting married in a church around Christmas time you can insert a Christmas carol for your congregation or your choir to sing. Hark the Herald is always popular or why not have the choir sing Bethlehem Down or Jesus Christ the Apple Tree - beautiful carols for a beautiful day!

 

Some suggestions

Entrance Music (* denotes a need for a choir)

Remember to time your entrance - some of these pieces are quite long and you need to time how long it takes from the door to the alter in advance if you want to arrive as the music is ending

  • Charpentier M - A Prelude to 'Te Deum'

  • Clarke J - The Prince of Denmark's March 'Trumpet Voluntary'

  • Handel GF - Hornpipe in D, from 'The Water Music'

  • Handel GF - La Rejouissance from 'Music for the Royal Fireworks

  • Purcell H - Trumpet Tune in D

  • Verdi G - Grand March, from 'Aida'

  • Parry CHH - I was glad*

  • Hadley P - My beloved spake *

  • Handel GF - Zadok the priest*

  • Vivaldi A - Gloria in excelsis Deo from Gloria *

  • Sullivan - Brightly Shines the Wedding Day (Madrigal) from The Mikado*

  • Tallis T - If ye love me

  • Parsons R - Ave Maria

Hymns

Please see our separate hymn pages which includes music samples

 

Signing the register (* needs a choir)

  • Bach JS - Jesu, joy of man's desiring

  • Fauré G - Cantique de Jean Racine

  • Mozart WA - Ave verum corpus

  • Mozart WA - Laudate Dominum

  • Rutter J - The Lord bless you and keep you

  • Schubert F - Ave Maria

  • Hadley P - My beloved spake

  • Handel GF - Let the bright seraphim

  • Haydn F - The heavens are telling

  • Parry CHH - I was glad*

  • Sullivan - Brightly Shines the Wedding Day (Madrigal) from The Mikado*

 

Exit Music (§ needs a soloist, * needs a choir)

  • Bach JS - Toccata in F

  • Charpentier M - A Prelude to 'Te Deum'

  • Karg Elert S - Choral Improvisation on 'Nun danket alle Gott'

  • Lefébure-Wely L - Sortie in E-flat

  • Vierne L - Finale, from Symphony No. 1

  • Widor CM - Toccata, from Symphony No.5

  • Bach JS - Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen §

  • Handel GF - Let the bright seraphim§

  • Verdi G - Libiamo ne' lieti calici, from La Traviata §

  • Handel GF - Hallelujah Chorus*

  • Vivaldi A - Gloria in excelsis Deo, from Gloria *

  • Haydn F - The heavens are telling *

 

 

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