Wedding Ceremony Music

Wedding Ceremony Music: What's Your Musical Style?

Wedding Ceremony Music

Your wedding ceremony is arguably the most important part of your wedding, and the wedding ceremony music that you choose can say a lot about you as a couple. Whether you are getting married in a traditional Catholic church or having a civil ceremony outside, you almost always have some ability to choose your desired ceremony music.

Most ceremony music consists of three distinct parts: (1) prelude, (2) processional(s), and (3) recessional. However, many couples also choose to play interlude music during the wedding ceremony, such as during the lighting of a unity candle. Many couples also have a postlude selection played as their guests depart the wedding ceremony space.

Prelude Music
Music used to establish the mood for your wedding ceremony.

Processional Music
Music played while you and your wedding party march down the aisle.

Interlude Music
Music played to accompany a tradition or a significant moment at your wedding ceremony, such as the lighting of a unity candle or a sand ceremony.

Recessional Music
Music played while you and your wedding party exit the ceremony.

Postlude Music
Music played while you and your guests leave the ceremony and/or while you greet your guests (if you choose to have a receiving line immediately after your ceremony).

beach wedding

Live Wedding Music
If you choose to have live music, you can have anything from a single instrument to a 10-piece orchestra play at your wedding ceremony.

iPod Wedding Music
In the alternative, you can set up your iPod and speakers with pre-recorded music.

Key Factors in Choosing Wedding Music

Before choosing your ceremony music, consider the location of your wedding ceremony. Will you be outdoors overlooking a pond or inside a small church? Does the area echo? Keep in mind that louder instruments such as bagpipes and trumpets in a small area may be too overpowering. It may be wise to do a trial run with the musicians or the sound system to avoid any last minute acoustic problems at your wedding ceremony location. In addition, your wedding ceremony location may have restrictions on the type of music played or on the type of musical instrument allowed. Always consult your wedding ceremony location representative prior to making final decisions on your wedding ceremony music.

Resources

Contemporary Wedding Music
Unique wedding ceremony music to give it a personal, modern twist!

Classical Wedding Music
Traditional favorites that have been used at wedding ceremonies for generations.

Wedding Music CDs
We have reviewed popular wedding music CDs to use during your ceremony.

Popular Wedding Ceremony Songs
Search our lists of popular wedding ceremony songs -- our collection ranges from classical to contemporary and includes prelude, processional, interlude, recessional, and postlude wedding songs.

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