Wedding Music
There are no hard and fast rules on what music can be played but it is important to understand that no two churches, organs, organists or choirs are the same. The important thing is to discuss your ideas with the organist and the Rector of the church. At a typical church wedding there may be two or three hymns, a processional piece as the bride walks up the aisle, some pieces during the signing of the register and a recessional piece as the married couple walk down the aisle together after the ceremony. Additionally, the bride, groom or their families may like to choose some or all of the music that is played as the guests arrive.
For typical hymn choices click here
At St. Martin’s we have a fabulous new three manual dual specification Hauptwerk organ with 53 speaking stops giving a wide range of authentic pipe organ tone and suitable for playing everything from the classics to the contemporary. We also have an excellent Yamaha digital grand piano which can be used for accompanying the congregation, soloists or just played solo, as desired. Both organ and piano can be used in the service, though not simultaneously by one player! If you prefer to use recorded music, we have a good sound system and can accommodate all common types of media.
Our choir will normally help to lead the hymn singing and can sing during the signing of the register, if required. Visiting choirs are also welcome.
Many of the popular pieces may be used at different positions in the service, depending on your taste. Some pieces may also be played at different speeds and in different styles to suit the required atmosphere. The attached audio files are organised as recommendations for Processional, Arrival/signing of the register and Recessional pieces. If you would like something specific at a particular point in the service, then please discuss it with the organist.
Music as your guests arrive
You can either let the organist choose what is played or make some suggestions, depending on your tastes and the mood you wish to create. The quantity of music before the ceremony will depend on the number of guests and the weather. In good weather, most of the guests may stay outside until 5 minutes before the service! It is common for guests who may not have seen each other for some time to chat before the service so it is usually a good idea to allow for 10 to 15 minutes of music before the service, with some spare in case the bride is late. Any good organist will be able to fill in as necessary.
The idea is to make guests feel comfortable and create an atmosphere of calm and anticipation.
These are typical pieces suitable as the guests arrive or during the signing of the registers:
Canon in D – Pachelbel
Air from the Water Music – Handel
Nimrod from Enigma Variations – Elgar
Rhosymedre – Vaughan Williams
Chanson de Matin – Elgar
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik – Mozart
Listen to brief clips of all these
At the entrance of the Bride
It is important to be aware that the procession of the bride usually only takes about 30 seconds. In most cases, the organist can adjust the length of the processional piece to fit. Some couples like to use the Pachelbel Canon in D for the entrance music. The use of this piece needs discussion with the organist and careful synchronisation as once a certain section is reached (after about 45 seconds) then the organist has to continue to the end which could mean that the couple would be waiting for a couple of minutes.
Popular choices are:
Bridal March (from Lohengrin) – Wagner
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba – Handel
Prelude to a Te Deum (also known as Trumpet Tune) – Charpentier
Prince of Denmark’s March (also known as Trumpet Voluntary) – Clarke
Trumpet Tune – Purcell
The Rejoicing from Music for the Royal Fireworks – Handel
Finale from Music for the Royal Fireworks – Handel
Listen to brief clips of all these
Signing the register
The signing of the register usually takes around 8 minutes. This is enough time to perform a whole suite of music or around three pieces. St. Martin’s welcomes instrumental and vocal soloists or groups and we can provide organ or piano accompaniment, as required. Please discuss your wishes with the organist. Any of the sung pieces below may be just played.
Popular choices are:
Jesu, joy of Man’s desiring
Pie Jesu from Requiem – Faure
Panis Angelicus – Franck
Ave Maria – Bach/Gounod
Ave Maria – Schubert
O for the wings of a dove – Mendlessohn
The Lord Bless You and Keep You – Rutter
Liebster Jesu, Wir sind heir – Bach
Prelude in D (“Air on a G string”) – Bach
Listen to brief clips of all these click here
Exit of the Bride and Groom
This is the part you will remember best, so choose wisely!
Popular choices are:
Wedding March – Mendlessohn
Toccata from Symphony no. 5 – Widor
Sortie in Eb – Lefébure-Wély
Nun Danket – Karg-Elert
Hornpipe from The Water Music – Handel
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4 in G – Elgar
Tuba Tune – C S Lang
Crown Imperial – Walton
The Rejoicing from Music for the Royal Fireworks – Handel
Concerto in A minor, 1st mvt, BVW593 – Bach/Vivaldi
Listen to brief clips of all these
Typical order of service
Music as the guests arrive (if specified)
e.g. Canon in D – Johann Pachelbel
Entrance of the Bride
e.g. Prince of Denmark’s March – Jeramiah Clarke
Welcome and Introduction
The Minister
Hymn
Reading
e.g. St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 13:1-13
Address
The Minister
The Marriage
The Signing of the Register
e.g. Pie Jesu from Requiem – Gabriel Faure
Ave Maria – Franz Schubert
“Romance” from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik – W A Mozart
Hymn
Prayers
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn
Blessing
Recessional
e.g. The Wedding March – F Mendelssohn