The Best Classical Wedding Music to Make Your Day Perfect

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Choosing the right music for your wedding can be a tough decision. There are so many different genres and styles to choose from! If you’re looking for something classic and timeless, then look no further than classical wedding music. From processional songs to recessional anthems, we’ve rounded up the best classical tunes to make your big day perfect.

Introduction

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, so you want everything to be perfect. The music you choose for your ceremony and reception is a big part of setting the tone for your day. If you’re looking for classical wedding music that will make your day extra special, we’ve put together a list of our favorite pieces.

Classical music is timeless and elegant, and it can be used to set a variety of moods. Whether you’re looking for something romantic, joyful, or stately, there’s a piece of classical music that will fit the bill. Here are some of our favorites:

-Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel: This piece is one of the most popular pieces of classical music, and for good reason. It’s incredibly romantic and always sure to fill your guests with warmth and happiness.

-Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 by Johann Sebastian Bach: This piece is perfect if you’re looking for something with a little more energy. It’s joyful and lively, and it will definitely get your guests moving!

-Eine kleine Nachtmusik by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: This piece is perfect for creating a luxurious, upscale atmosphere. It’s sure to impress your guests and make them feel like VIPs!

-The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi: This gorgeous piece can be used to create any number of moods, from romantic to energetic. It’s also perfect for adding a touch of seasonality to your wedding day decor.

-The Nutcracker Suite by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: This festive piece is perfect for adding a little holiday cheer to your wedding day. It’s also great if you have any young guests who are sure to enjoy the playful melodies.

Prelude

As guests arrive and take their seats, you’ll want to set the tone for your ceremony with some light classical music. This can be performed by a solo musician or a small ensemble, depending on your preference and budget. Here are some of our favorite prelude pieces to get you started.

-Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel
-Ave Maria by Franz Schubert
-Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Johann Sebastian Bach
-Air on the G String by Johann Sebastian Bach
-Salut d’Amour by Edward Elgar
-Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dreamby Felix Mendelssohn

Processional

Your processional is the moment when all eyes are on you as you walk down the aisle with your dad, so you want to make sure you select the perfect piece of music to set the tone for your nuptials. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite classical pieces that are sure to make your walk down the aisle one to remember.

“Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel
Pumping up over 16 million Spotify streams, Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” is one of the most popular pieces of classical music ever written, and for good reason—the stately tune is guaranteed to fill any room with romance. As an added bonus, it’s one of the easiest pieces on this list to find sheet music for if you’re planning on having a live musician perform it on your big day.

“Bridal Chorus” by Richard Wagner
Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus,” also known as “Here Comes the Bride,” is probably the most iconic piece of classical wedding music out there. The stirring strings and triumphant horns make it impossible not to envision a bride making her way down the aisle as this plays in the background. It’s also one of the most popular songs for processional because it can be performed by a live band or orchestra, or played through a sound system if you’re having a more low-key ceremony.

“Trumpet Voluntary” by Jeremiah Clarke
If you’re looking for something a little different than Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” or Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus,” Clarke’s baroque trumpet voluntary is a beautiful option that will still fill your guests with feelings of love and anticipation. The piece was originally written for organ and trumpet, but can be performed on piano as well.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Wedding March” by Felix Mendelssohn
Composed in 1842 for Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mendelssohn’s wedding march has been used at royal weddings dating all the way back to Victoria and Albert’s nuptials in 1858. The Processional might just be the most famous section of Mendelssohn’s opus, but the entire work is worth listening to if you’re a fan of classical music.

First Dance

There are so many beautiful pieces of classical music to choose from for your First Dance as a married couple. Here are just a few of our favorites:

-Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92”: The third movement of this symphony, Allegretto, is a perfect choice for your First Dance. It is light and airy, yet still has the grandeur that you want for your First Dance.

-Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525”: The first movement of this piece, Allegro, is another wonderful choice for your First Dance. It is elegant and romantic, and will definitely set the tone for the rest of your wedding day.

-Bach’s “Air on the G String”: This piece is slower and more intimate, making it perfect for a couples who want to take their time with their First Dance. It is absolutely gorgeous and will definitely be a highlight of your wedding day.

Father-Daughter Dance

The father-daughter dance is a cherished moment during any wedding. While the song choice is up to the bride and her father, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite classical pieces that are sure to make this moment even more special.

“Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel is a timeless classic that has been used in countless weddings. For something a little more modern, try “Requiem for a Dream” by Clint Mansell. This piece has become increasingly popular in recent years and its soaring strings will fill you with emotion.

If you’re looking for something with a bit of texture, take a listen to “The four seasons : Winter” by Antonio Vivaldi. The beautiful melodies in this piece are sure to give you goosebumps. For something with a lighter feel, try “Air on the G String” by Johann Sebastian Bach. This piece is sure to put a smile on your face.

No matter what you choose, these classical pieces are sure to make your father-daughter dance even more special.

Mother-Son Dance

The mother and son dance is a very special moment during a wedding reception. It is a time for the mother to thank her son for all he has done for her and to show him how proud she is of the man he has become. It is also a time for the son to express his love and gratitude for his mother. There are many beautiful classical pieces of music that would be perfect for this special dance.

Some of our favorites include:
-Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel
-Air on the G String by Johann Sebastian Bach
-Ave Maria by Franz Schubert
-Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy
-The Swan by Camille Saint-Saëns
*Please note that these are only suggestions and that there are many other wonderful pieces of classical music that would be perfect for the mother and son dance. It is ultimately up to the mother and son to choose the piece of music that they feel best expresses their relationship.*

Cake Cutting

As the bride and groom cut their wedding cake, many couples like to have classical music playing in the background. If you’re looking for the perfect piece of classical music to play during your cake cutting, consider one of these classics:

-Beethoven’s “Für Elise”
-Bach’s “Air on the G String”
-Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik”
-Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Major”
-Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake”

Bouquet Toss

The bouquet toss is a fun and festive way to end the night on a high note! Guests will line up and eagerly await the moment when the bride (or another married lady) throws her bouquet into the crowd. The lucky lady who catches the bouquet is said to be the next in line to tie the knot!

There are many ways to make your bouquet toss even more special. One popular option is to have a professional photographer capture the moment when the bouquet is caught. Another option is to have a videographer on hand to record the event. This can be a great moment to look back on for years to come!

When it comes to music, there are endless possibilities. However, we recommend choosing a classical piece that has special meaning to you and your spouse. Here are a few of our favorites:

– “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel
– “Wedding March” from Felix Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
– “Bridal Chorus” from Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin

Garter Toss

There are a few key moments during a wedding that are perfect for classical music. One of them is the garter toss. This is a fun, lighthearted moment that can be made even more special with the right piece of music.

Some of our favorites include “Spring” from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, “Canon in D” by Pachelbel, and “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” by Mozart. These pieces are all upbeat and will get your guests moving and ready to dance the night away.

If you want something a little bit different, you could also try “Air on the G String” by Bach or “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. These pieces are both beautifully classical and will add an elegant touch to your garter toss.

Last Dance

As the reception winds down and the evening comes to a close, couples often like to share one last dance before they depart. The song you choose for this moment should be special and reflect your personal relationship. It can be anything from a classic love song to a contemporary ballad, as long as it has meaning for you. Here are ten of our favorite songs to close out a wedding reception.

“Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
“The Luckiest” by Ben Folds
“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
“I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz
“”Endless Love” by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
“Kiss from a Rose” by Seal
“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” by Bryan Adams
“Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers

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