I’m having a wedding – what now?

If you’d like to include live music at your wedding ceremony but are unsure of what factors need to be considered, you’re in the right place!  Here’s a quick run-down.

When will the musicians play?

Generally when we play at a wedding we play special pieces at the following key moments.  We’ve also included suggestions of some popular pieces from our repertoire for each event:

1. Walking down the aisle – we want to create a grand feeling of occasion

  • Pachelbel Canon in D
  • A Thousand Years
  • Can’t Help Falling in Love
  • Can You Feel the Love Tonight?
  • Wagner’s Bridal Chorus (“here comes the bride”)
  • Your “special song”

2. Signing of the register – we usually prepare two pieces of music for this moment as it can sometimes take a while!

  • Any of the pieces from “walking down the aisle” (except the Wagner Bridal Chorus)
  • Bach Air on the G String
  • Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
  • Allegro from Mozart Divertimento No.1
  • Merry Go Round of Life
  • Meditation from Thais
  • Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring
  • Ave Maria

3. Recessional – for a church wedding this is the piece that the couple walk out to.   In less formal weddings it is the piece we play when the couple has been officially announced as married, generally right after the signing of the register.  We like to play some bright music at this most celebratory moment.

  • La Rejouissance (Handel)
  • Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (Handel)
  • Spring from the Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
  • Allegro from Mozart Divertimento No. 1
  • Mendelssohn Wedding March (the most famous traditional recessional)
  • I’m Yours (Jason Mraz)
  • Love is in the Air
  • Trumpet Voluntary

4. Before and after the ceremony – this is particularly common in non-church weddings.  We can play appropriate music from our repertoire while your guests are arriving and after the ceremony during canapé service.

How will the music fit the moment?

Millions of brides have walked down the aisle to the famous Pachelbel Canon in D, although I’m sure almost none of these ceremonies have included the whole piece, as its about 6 minutes long!  We’re highly experienced at creating tasteful endings within the musical pieces you choose in real time so they fit the action exactly.

Do we need amplification?

The Adelaide String duo generally play acoustically without any amplification.  If your wedding is particularly large you may consider talking to us about providing amplification equipment (PA).