"The entertainment you choose for your wedding is responsible for 80% of the event's
success and the memories you will have for the rest of your life." - Martha Stewart

The Wedding Ceremony

Prelude:
The music played before the ceremony while the guests are seated. Prelude music usually starts twenty minutes before the ceremony, and much like flowers, decorations, and a pristine setting, it helps create an atmosphere of elegance. Prelude music is often soft background type music—neither too lively nor overstated. Love songs, light classical, or sacred music work well in this setting. While it isn't necessary to specifically select all the songs during the prelude portion of the ceremony, it is helpful to choose a few songs and the overall style of music (i.e. popular, love songs, classical, Celtic, jazz, etc.) that fits well with your wedding theme.

See playlists for ideas.

Processionals:
The music played to announce the presence of the wedding party and the commencement of the ceremony. The seating of parents/grandparents mark the musical transition from prelude to processional. Once parents (and/or grandparents) are formally escorted to their seats—often accompanied with continued prelude music—the groom and officiate (minister, JP, etc.) may enter at this time. The groomsmen, then, commonly enter either with the groom or later with the bridesmaids.

Processional music can make the entrances of the wedding participants (bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, and the bride) both pronounced and anticipatory. To build expectation with the entrance of the wedding party, VeeRonna customizes the entrances and exits of each group to heighten or soften the importance of their roles. VeeRonna then ultimately brings all attention to the focal point of the wedding ceremony—the bride.

***When selecting processional pieces, remember the entrance music for the wedding party should not outshine the entrance music for the bride .* **

Processional Only

• As the Deer - Nystrom

• Canon in D – Pachelbel

• Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin – Wagner (for the bridal entrance only)

Processionals and or Recessionals

• Trumpet Voluntary – Clarke

• Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – J.S. Bach

• Wedding March from The Marriage of Figaro – Mozart

• Ode To Joy – Beethoven

• Spring from The Four Seasons – Vivaldi

• Trumpet Tune- Purcell

• Rondo – Mouret (theme from Masterpiece Theatre)

• Hornpipe (Alla Danza) from Water Music – Handel

During the Ceremony:
Special music can be a beautiful addition during the ceremony, and it is more than appropriate to select special pieces during those meaningful elements throughout the service—such as the Unity Candle, Sand Ceremony, Rose Ceremony, Communion, and roses to Mary, etc. Many also enjoy “traveling music”, music played during the “empty spaces” of the ceremony (i.e. while someone is walking from their seat to the front, etc.).

An additional touch of elegance is found when the harp plays lightly throughout the ceremony while the officiate is speaking. While it is not recommend playing any specific song during this time, softly improvised music can greatly compliment what is being spoken. (EXAMPLE OF IMPROV: ) Since most officiates use microphones, the guests will easily hear what they are saying. When the bride and groom commit their vows and rings to each other, the music will stop in order for guests to hear them, as they are often not using microphones.

***If soft music during the ceremony is desired, it is important to notify the officiate well in advance to confirm that this will not cause a problem.* **

Recessional:
The music played to announce the newly wed couple. Recessional music is appropriate when the bride and groom, the wedding party, and the wedding officiate walk down the aisle and out of the room. The music style is often upbeat and celebratory, and it will continue as the wedding party and guests exit.

To make things a little simpler I have listed some popular combinations below. Please feel free to use this as a guideline, or create your own order. You are not limited to these lists. Be as creative as you like! Many current love songs work beautifully for processionals and recessionals. If you want a specific song and don't see it listed on my web site, let me know. I will see if I can make a special arrangement just for you!

Recessional Only

Wedding March from A Midsummers Night Dream - Mendelssohn

*** Below are some popular music combinations. Please feel free to use this as a guideline or create your own order. You are not limited to these lists, so be as creative as you like! ***

Traditional/Popular Combinations

Combination A

• Attendants – Canon in D - Pachelbel

• Bride – Bridal Chorus – Wagner

• Recessional – Wedding March - Mendelssohn

Combination B

• Attendants – Canon in D – Pachelbel

• Bride – Trumpet Voluntary – Clarke

• Recessional – Wedding March - Mendelssohn

Combination C

• Attendants – Canon in D – Pachelbel

• Bride – Trumpet Voluntary – Clarke

• Recessional – Ode to Joy – Beethoven

Combination D

• Attendants – As the Deer - Nystrom

• Bride – Canon in D – Pachelbel

• Recessional – Wedding March - Mendelssohn

Combination E

• Attendants – As the Deer - Nystrom

• Bride – Canon in D – Pachelbel

• Recessional – Trumpet Voluntary – Clarke

Jewish Ceremonies

• Attendants - Canon in D

• Bride & Groom - Dodi Li

• Recessional - Simom Tov or Chussen Kalle Mazel Tov