Music for Church Ceremonies

Wedding music is joyful, happy and often loud, giving the congregation a chance to really celebrate the occasion. It is a good idea to meet the organist in the church to talk over the selection of music, hearing how it actually sounds in the right setting. An organ played in church sounds very different from a piano at home, so sampling the real thing will be helpful.

Before the Ceremony

While guests wait for the bride to arrive, the organist will play a selection of musical pieces such as:

• Nimrod from Elgars Enigma Variations
• Jesu Joy of Mans Desiring by Bach
• A Trumpet Minuet by Hollins
• The Grand March from Verdis Aida
• Sheep May Safely Graze by Bach
• Pieces from the Water Music by Handel
• Selections from Strauss waltzes
• Canon in D by Pachelbel

The Processional

As the bride walks up the aisle with her father, the organist may play:

• The Bridal March from Wagners Lohengrin
• The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by Handel
• The Wedding March from Mozarts Marriage of Figaro
• The first movement from Sonata Number 3 by Mendelssohn
• The Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke
• Fanfare by Purcell

Hymns

There are normally three hymns sung during the service or, perhaps, two hymns and a psalm.

There is a vast range of hymns suitable for weddings, and if you're finding it hard to make a choice, the minister and organist will be happy to recommend some. Try to choose hymns with familiar words and music, as the congregation will be in much better voice with the tunes they know than with those they don't.

Some popular choices are:

• All Things Bright And Beautiful
• Amazing Grace
• And Did Those Feet In Ancient Times
• At The Name Of Jesus
• Be Our Chief Guest Lord
• Bind Us Together
• Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind
• Father Hear The Prayer We Offer
• For The Beauty Of The Earth
• Give Me Joy In My Heart
• Great Is Thy Faithfulness
• Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer
• How Great Thou Art
• Immortal Invisible God Only Wise
• Jerusalem
• Lord Of All Hopefulness
• Lord Of The Dance
• Love Divine All Love Excelling
• Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace
• Morning Has Broken
• Now Thank We All Our God
• O Jesus I Have Promised
• O Perfect Love
• O Worship The King
• Peace, Perfect Peace
• Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven
• Tell Out, My Soul
• The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
• The Lords My Shepherd Ill Not Want

The Signing of the Register

While the bride and groom are signing the Register, the organist and/or choir generally provide soft and gentle music for guests, or a soloist may sing.

Examples are:

• Air on a G String by Bach
• Ave Maria by Schubert
• Adagio in G Minor by Albinoni
• Sonata in C Minor Op 13 by Beethoven
• Panis Angelicus by Franck

The Recessional

As the bride and groom leave the church together, followed by their guests, the organist will play a short piece which reflects the joy and excitement of the occasion such as:

• Wedding March from A Midsummer Nights Dream by Mende...

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