Wedding Music 101

Wedding Prelude Music

Wedding Ceremony Prelude Music
  • Simple Gifts - J. Brackett, Jr.
  • Song To the Moon - A. Dvorak
  • Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer
  • Amazing Grace - J. Newton
  • Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - J. S. Bach


Music Used During the Wedding Ceremony
  • Air, from Suite No. 3 - J. S. Bach
  • Andante Religioso - F. Mendelssohn
  • Ave Maria - Bach/Gounod
  • Ave Maria - G. Caccini
  • Pie Jesu - G. Faure
  • Flower Duet - L. Delibes
  • Panis Angelicus - C. Franck
  • Ave Maria - F. Schubert

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Simple Gifts - Joseph Brackett Jr.
An uplifting, happy Shaker Tune; great for a gathering of guests.
Song To the Moon - Dvorak
An aria from the Czech Opera, Rusalka, that I transcribed for flute, strings and harp. A very peaceful, calming peace.
Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer
This popular Welsh hymn was used during the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Amazing Grace - John Newton
Amazing Grace is a Christian hymn written in 1779 by John Newton, an English poet and clergyman. Although Newton wrote the words, at the time it was probably spoken or chanted. It has been associated with more than 20 melodies, but in 1835 was wedded to a tune named "New Britain" to which it is most frequently sung today. Our arrangement of this well known piece begins with solo violin, then builds in volume and instrumentation toward a moving finale.
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - J. S. Bach
This is one of J.S. Bach's most famous chorales; it is a good entrance for mothers of the Bride and Groom.

Music for Wedding Interludes

Air, from Suite No. 3 - Johann Sebastian Bach
This is a slow movement from the suite. We also use, although not currently listed, the gavottes and gigue from this Bach Suite for prelude music.
Andante Religioso - Felix Mendelssohn
This is a beautiful, yet solemn composition, ideal for presentation of the gifts or during communion.
Ave Maria - Bach-Gounod
This piece is actually composed by two people although not in the same time period. The moving part (fast notes) was written by Bach as his Prelude in C for harpsichord. One hundred years later, Charles Francois Gounod wrote the melody, usually sung, but can also be played as an instrumental, as we have done.
Ave Maria - Giulio Caccini
According to Wikipedia, this setting of "Ave Maria" may or may not have been written by Caccini, a late Renaissance Italian composer.
Pie Jesu - Gabriel Faure
No, this is not a bakery item. Phonetically: "Pea-A-Yay-zoo" in this case meaning Sweet Jesus. A contemplative composition from Faure's Requiem, we use a solo flute for the melody, originally sung by a soprano. This is a nice piece for communion during the service.
Flower Duet from Lakme - Leo Delibes
This duet in the opera, Lakme, occurs when the bride is talking (actually singing) with her hand maiden (sort of like an administrative assistant) the night before her wedding. It is uplifting, sweet and peaceful.
Panis Angelicus - Cesar Franck
Franck's setting of Panis Angelicus (bread of angels) is often recognized and musically famous. Originally written for tenor, harp, organ and cello, our arrangement is an instrumental version for flute, two violins, cello and organ. This is a very good piece for communion.
Ave Maria - Franz Schubert
Schubert's Ave Maria is the most well known of Ave Maria compositions. Our arrangement is for flute, violin, cello and organ.