Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and one that you’ll hopefully never forget or repeat! But, planning a wedding ceremony takes a lot of effort, there are many different elements that need to be sorted, from the ceremony venue to the right music, your dress, and, of course, the honeymoon.With so much going on it can be easy to overlook the wedding ceremony music yet it can make or break your wedding day!
You can opt for traditional wedding ceremony songs, such as Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, but that’s not the only option available to you. In fact, there are hundreds of songs that can be used as wedding ceremony songs, you just need to pick the one that suits you and your wedding theme.
Traditional Options
Mendelssohn’s Wedding March is one of the most common and certainly the most traditional piece of music played at wedding ceremonies across the country.
But there are other traditional wedding ceremony songs worth considering:
Canon in D by John Pachelbel
This is considered a classic piece of music and a great option for your wedding procession. It’s likely to bring your guests to tears, even if they don’t want to show it.
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Johann Sebastian Bach
This is actually part of a larger piece of work but you won’t want to play the entire composition! It’s definitely got a religious feel which makes it a great choice for the more traditional, religious-based wedding ceremony.
Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy
Literally translated this is the light of the moon. That’s appropriate as you’re about to marry the light of your life.
This piece is actually the third movement of a four-part composition and is very familiar thanks to it being regularly played at a variety of events. You’ll instantly recognize it.
Butterfly Waltz by Brian Crain
This piano tune is light yet very symbolic. Written in 2003 it has become a popular and classic choice for many wedding ceremonies.
Chanson de Matin by Edward Elgar
This violin and piano mix is delightfully light and welcoming, you’ll practically want to skip down the aisle.
You may also want to consider these traditional wedding songs:
The Flower Duet by Lakme
Orchestral Suite No.3 by Bach
Ave Maria by Frank Schubert
Spring by Antonio Vivaldi
Contemporary Offerings
Of course, traditional wedding ceremony songs aren’t the right music for everyone. This is your wedding day and your choice of songs, you can choose a contemporary wedding song that really appeals to you!
Try one of these wedding songs:
Say You Won’t Let Go by Boyce Avenue
At your wedding ceremony, you can tell the world how much in love you are before you even reach the altar. Check these words out.
“I’m so in love with you and I hope you know darling your love is worth more than its weight in gold.”
Hymn For the Weekend by Coldplay
Coldplay are one of the most famous bands on the planet and with good reason, they make great music. The words are certainly not traditional, but they will ring true. “Life is a drink and love’s a drug, oh now I think I must be miles up.”
I Choose You by Sara Bareilles
This is also a very popular choice for the first dance at your wedding reception, it can serve both purposes if you wish!
The line “I will become yours and you will become mine. I choose you.” Perfectly sums up your wedding intentions, perhaps you should tell your guests to really listen to the words of your wedding ceremony song.
Endless Love by Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey
The title of this song says it all. Your wedding day is the proclamation of your endless love for each other, it’s fitting that your ceremony song reflects this.
Beautiful Day by U2
As U2 said, “It’s a beautiful day don’t let it get away………Teach me, I know I’m not a hopeless case.” What a beautiful sentiment to express to each other as you walk down the aisle at your wedding ceremony.
How Does A Moment Last Forever by Céline Dion
“Love lives on inside our hearts and always will”. With words like these, you barely need to create or say your wedding vows!
Add The Country Feel
If you’re a country gal at heart or are simply having your wedding ceremony in the country, then you may want to adopt a country song to mark your special day.
The following can be great wedding ceremony songs with the right theme:
I Run To You by Lady Antebellum
This can be used as you gracefully move down the aisle but you may prefer it as you sign the marriage register. It will give people time to really appreciate the words:
“This world keeps spinning faster into a new disaster so I run to you. I run to you baby and when it all starts coming undone, baby you’re the only one I run to. I run to you.”
First Love Song by Luke Bryan
Whether your groom is your first love or not, they will be your true love and what better way to express it at your wedding ceremony than to tell it with a song?
God Gave Me You by Blake Shelton
Again, this is a great wedding ceremony song as the words really do say it all.
“God gave me you for the ups and downs. God gave me you for the days of doubt and for when I think I’ve lost my way there are no words here left to say, it’s true. God gave me you.”
Cowboy Take Me Away by Dixie Chicks
If you’re having a country wedding ceremony, especially if your groom has his cowboy hat on, then this is the only song you’ll want to play.
“I said, cowboy take me away, fly this girl as high as you can into the wild blue. Set me free, oh, I pray, closer to heaven above and closer to you.”
When You Say Nothing At All by Alison Kraus and Union Station
You may recognize the words from Ronan Keating’s version. It doesn’t matter which version you use the meaning is the same.
“It’s amazing how you can speak right to my heart. Without saying a word, you light up the dark. Try as I may I could never explain what I hear when you don’t say a thing……You say it best when you say nothing at all.”
A Taste Of Disney
There is no doubt that Disney has created some of the finest love stories on the planet, and captured them perfectly in animated movies.
This has led to an abundance of songs which can be used at your wedding ceremony. You don’t even need to be a Disney fan!
Beauty & the Beast
Can You Feel The Love Tonight – The Lion King
A Whole New World – Aladdin
So This Is Love – Cinderella
You’ve Got A Friend In Me – Toy Story
These songs need no introduction and you’re probably already singing along! They may not be the perfect choice for your walk down the aisle but they’re still great additions to the wedding ceremony. Everyone will have a smile on their face!
Movie Songs
Of course, we live in a modern world where much inspiration comes from the world of movies. Every movie has songs in it and that means an abundance of potential wedding ceremony songs to choose from, consider these:
City of Stars – La La Land
I Say a Little Prayer – My Best Friend’s Wedding
Over The Rainbow – 50 First Dates
All I Ask Of You – Phantom of the Opera
Everlasting Love – The Parent Trap
Moon River – Breakfast at Tiffanys
Take My Breath Away – Top Gun
“Watching in slow motion as you turn to me and say ‘take my breath away.’” That’s exactly what you want to happen on your wedding day.
My Girl – Father of the Bride
If you’re looking for something inspirational but different then stick on your favorite movie. It will almost certainly have an underlying love story and they’ll be a song, or songs, that will inspire you.
The great thing about choosing your wedding ceremony song this way is that its more likely to be unique. This means your guests will remember your wedding day for many years to come!
Of course, you must remember to choose a song that speaks to you and your groom personally, whenever you hear it you’ll be reminded of your wedding day.
For a little extra inspiration you may find the following songs worth considering, especially if you’re having a themed wedding:
Main Theme Of Star Wars
The Portrait – Titanic
Just don’t start shouting “Jack”!!! That may not go down well with your groom on your wedding day unless his name is Jack.
He’s A Pirate – Pirates of The Caribbean
Glasgow Love Theme – Love Actually
The Lord Of The Rings Theme
That’s the crucial point, it’s your wedding day and your decision what song you want to get married to, walk into your wedding ceremony with, or start dancing at the wedding reception.
If you have a subject or theme that is special to you and your partner then choose a song based on this, you won’t regret it.
Book your wedding music suppliers through Poptop and our event concierges will help you to find the perfect match for your big day.
Also, check out these top tips when choosing the wedding song.
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Marketing Manager at Poptop – UK Leading Events Planning Concierge Service