Before you begin to pick out music for your wedding ceremony, keep in mind that in a house of worship, the music will need to be religious in tone. Check with the officiant for current guidelines; policies on the appropriate selections in a religious setting do evolve. Find out what you can use before you get your heart set on something. On the other hand, if your wedding is not being held in a house of worship, almost anything goes.

You should also be sure to:

Meet with the musical director from your house of worship to discuss appropriate selections

Discuss fees for the organist and any additional musicians that may be provided

Choose the selections for each distinct part of the ceremony at least two months before the wedding

The Prelude

The prelude music sets the mood and provides listening enjoyment for your guests as they await your arrival. It should begin twenty to thirty minutes before the ceremony starts and end as the mothers and grandmothers are preparing to be escorted down the aisle.

The Processional

After the mothers are seated, the processional is played as the wedding party makes its way down the aisle. When the bride begins her walk, something selected especially for her is played. (An alternative, however, is for the bride to walk down the aisle to the same tune as the rest of the party, played at a different tempo.)

SOME PROCESSIONAL FAVORITES INCLUDE:

• “Waltz of the Flowers,” Tchaikovsky

• “Wedding March,” Mendelssohn

• “The Bridal Chorus” (“Here Comes the Bride”), Wagner

• “Trumpet Voluntary,” Dupuis

• “Trumpet Voluntary,” Clarke

• “Trumpet Tune,” Purcell

• “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies,” Tchaikovsky

• “Ode to Joy,” Beethoven

• “The March,” Tchaikovsky

• “Ave Maria,” Schubert

• “The Austrian Wedding March,” traditional

The Ceremony

During the ceremony, you may wish to hear songs that have a special meaning. It is very nice to have a piece of music played while the couple is participating in symbolic rituals where there is no speaking, such as the lighting of the unity candle, the wine ceremony, or taking communion. If nothing comes to mind, ask your officiant for ideas. He or she will probably be able to suggest dozens of wonderful songs that can add meaning to the event.

SOME CEREMONY FAVORITES INCLUDE:

• “My Tribute,” Crouch

• “The Lord's Prayer,” Malotte

• “Panis Angelicus,” Franck

• “Now Thank We All Our God,” Bach

• “Saviour Like a Shepherd Lead Us,” Bradbury

• “Cherish the Treasure,” Mohr

• “We've Only Just Begun,” The Carpenters

• “The Unity Candle Song,” Sullivan and Haan

• “The Bride's Prayer,” Good

• “The Wedding Prayer,” Dunlap

• “All I Ask of You,” Norbet and Callahan

• “Wherever You Go,” Callahan

• “The Wedding Song,” Stookey

• “The Irish Wedding Song,” traditional

The Recessional

The recessional is played at the conclusion of the ceremony, as the members of the wedding party make their way back down the aisle. This music should be joyous and upbeat to reflect the new happiness in your life. Many couples are making a break from the traditional and playing modern musical selections that really reflect their personalities. Of course, if you are in a house of worship, be sure to check if you can play modern tunes for the recessional.

SOME RECESSIONAL FAVORITES INCLUDE:

• “The Russian Dance,” Tchaikovsky

• “Trumpet Tune,” Stanley

• “Toccata Symphony V,” Widor

• “All Creatures of Our God and King,” Williams

• “Trumpet Fanfare (Rondeau),” Mouret

• “Pomp and Circumstance,” Elgar

• “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” Goss