Ever w onder about the difference between recessional and processional music? Below is a short description of the musical categories usually associated with a wedding ceremony, with some examples of popular song selections.
Prelude
This is the music being played while the guests are arriving and being seated. Usually calm and elegant, some titles include: |
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Prelude Music - Traditional
Bach's Arioso - Canadian Brass Quintet
DeBussy's Clair De Lune - Flute with Harp
Greensleeves - Flute with Guitar
Mozart's Elvira Madigan - Flute with Guitar
Ode To Joy - Bach
On Wings Of Song - Nancy Enslin (harp)
Schubert's Ave Maria - Flute with Harp
Sheep May Safely Graze - Nancy Enslin (harp)
The Four Seasons - Vivaldi
Vangelis Hymne - Nancy Enslin (harp) |
Prelude Music - Contemporary
Angel Eyes - Jim Brickman
Beauty & The Beast - Celine Dion/Peabo Bryson
Can You Feel The Love Tonight - Elton John
Everything I Do - Bryan Adams
Here And Now - Luther Vandross
My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
Songbird - Kenny G.
Truly - Lionel Richie
Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
Watermark - Enya |
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Processional
The processional music is played while the wedding party walks down the isle, it is joyful and proud. |
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Processional Music - Traditional
Air in G for String - Philharmonic Orchestra
Bach, Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring - Brass Quintet
Pachelbel Canon In D Major - Collegium Aureum |
Processional Music - Contemporary
Caribbean Blue - Enya
Chapel Of Love - Dixie Cups
Forever In Love - Kenny G.
Havana - Kenny G.
Only Time - Enya
The Wedding Song - Kenny G. |
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Bride's Formal Entrance
Here is where everyone stands to watch the Bride walk down the isle! This music is jubilant and uplifting. |
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Bride's Formal Entrance - Traditional
Clarke Trumpet Voluntary - Standard
Lohengrin Bridal Chorus - Symphonic Pops
Wagner Here Comes The Bride - Standard, available in many styles |
Bride's Formal Entrance - Contemporary
I Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
If You Believe - Jim Brickman
Oh Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
Shepherd Moon - Enya
There Is Love - Paul Stookey |
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Ceremony
If you choose to have music during the ceremony, a few ideas might be during a candle lighting, quiet meditation or prayer, or other non-speaking time during the ceremony. Musical selections here would be soft and underpinning of the mood. |
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Traditional
Lord's Prayer - Standard
O' Perfect Love - Nancy Enslin (harp)
A Time For Us from Romeo And Juliet |
Contemporary
From This Moment - Shania Twain
It's Your Love - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
My Best Friend - Tim McGraw |
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Recessional
The recessional music is playing while the bride and groom, wedding party and wedding officiate walk back down the isle. It is usually upbeat and celebratory. You made it! |
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Recessional - Traditional
Handel Water Music - Traditional
Handel Water Music Allegro - Canadian Brass
Mendelssohn Midsummer Wedding March
- Standard
Mouret Rondeau - Canadian Brass
Purcell Trumpet Tune - Organ with Trumpet |
Recessional - Contemporary
At Last - Etta James
Celebration - Kool & The Gang
I Feel Good (I Got You) - James Brown
I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher
We've Only Just Begun - Carpenters |
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Postlude
This is played after the recessional while the guests are leaving their seats. A postlude is not always needed, however if the guests are leaving slowly or waiting in line to greet you and your weeding party, it's nice to fill the time with music. |
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| Selections vary depending on the atmosphere desired but will remain upbeat as guests leave the building to greet you and your wedding party. |
