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On this page you'll find a list of the more popular wedding pieces together with their MP3 files. Click on the MP3 logo on the right to hear each piece of music.
The wedding service within the Roman Catholic and Church of England traditions has three main points for music:
Entrance of the Bride:
The bride is usually greeted at the church doors by the priest or vicar and walks down the Aisle to greet her groom. Music played is traditionally march-like in tempo. The Wagner's Bridal March from Lohengrin is frequently used as are Jeremiah Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary and Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba:
Bridal March from "Lohengrin" by Wagner Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke Trumpet Tune from Te Deum by Charpentier Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by Handel Trumpet Tune by Purcell A Trumpet March by Handel Signing of the Register:
The registers are sometimes signed in front of the entire congregation, sometimes signed in a vestry or other room near by. Music tends to be "background music" - fairly quiet. Popular pieces are Bach's Jesu' Joy of Man's Desiring and Pachelbel's Canon in D.
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring Ave Maria by Schubert Ave Maria by Bach/Gounod Canon in D by Pachelbel Air from Water Music by Handel Air on a G String by Bach Sheep may Safely Graze by Bach Largo from Serse by Handel You could also consider having some sung music: Alleluia from Exultate Jubilate by Mozart Ave Maria by Bach/Gounod Ave Maria by Schubert Panis Angelicus by Frank Procession: Bride + Groom
As the Bride and Groom leave the church as husband and wife, Mendelssohn's wedding march is often played. Otherwise Handel's Water music is a useful piece or Widor's Toccata from the 5th Symphony.
Wedding March by Mendelssohn Toccata from 5th Symphony by Widor Hornpipe from Water Music by Handel
In addition, music can be used at various other points during the service. The choice is largely one for the bride and groom (in consultation with the priest or other minister) but it would be safe to say that to have more than 3 or 4 hymns would be very unusual. The use of "reflective" musical inserts during the service (with the exception of the Signing of the Register), is very rare.
Organ Preludes
The organ oftens plays for ten minutes or more before the service starts. Most organists will do this as a matter of course and do not need to be asked. Organ music tends to set the scene. People tend to chatter less if the organ's playing - perhaps there is a strong association of organ music and worship. Preludes and Fugues by J S Bach are popular. Movements from Mendelssohn Organ Sonatas are often played as is Vaughan Williams' "Rhosymedre", for some reason.
Listen to:
Bach Preule in C Minor - BWV 546
HymnsIn addition to music played on the organ, most wedding services include one or more hymns. Favourites are:
Jerusalem (And did Those Feet in ancient time)
Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven
Lord of all Hopefulness
Love Divine, all loves excelling
All things Bright and Beautiful
I Vow to Thee my CountryListen to:
For all the Saints who from their labours rest
The words to these and other popular wedding hymns can be found on the HYMNS PAGE together with MP3 files of one verse of each hymn, to give an indication of the tune used.
