Choosing Wedding Ceremony Repertoire
Some brides and grooms like to select every specific piece of music for their ceremonies; others prefer to have us select some music for them. The lists on our Wedding Ceremony Repertoire page will help you select your own repertoire, but you needn't feel restricted to just the pieces on the list. Feel free to contact Les Artistes if you have other pieces in mind or if you’d like other recommendations. Keep in mind that some repertoire may not be available or appropriate for all instrument combinations. However, for a small fee, we can write custom arrangements of pieces that are not commercially available for a specific instrument combination. Contact us for more information about custom arrangements.
If you haven’t already done so, you may want to consult with your Officiant, church music director, cantor, wedding planner, etc. to discuss the appropriateness of musical selections as well as the number of selections and where they’ll fall within the ceremony. However, below are a couple of general points to consider:
Prelude — This is basically background music that helps set a mood as your guests arrive to take their seats and typically starts about 15-30 minutes prior to the ceremony. You’re welcome to select specific pieces for the Prelude, but you may want to have us select at least some of them for you. You might also want give us a general sense of the mood you’d like to create, such as romantic, reflective, jubilant, elegant, etc., and allow us to select appropriate repertoire.
Processional — Wedding ceremonies may have 1-3 (or more) processionals. We recommend 2 processionals for an average size ceremony: one for the wedding party, and one for the bride. However, many ceremonies have a specific selection to be played at the end of the Prelude as a Processional for seating of the Grandmothers, Mothers, etc. Of course, you’re welcome to have as many Processionals as you like.
Body of Ceremony — Most wedding ceremonies have at least one or two musical selections during the actual ceremony. Often these selections serve as musical accompaniments to the candle lighting, sign of peace, communion, or other celebratory rites; however, they can also be programmed into your ceremony simply as pure musical Interludes in their own right.
Recessional — This piece is usually jubilant in nature, and is played as the bride and groom walk back up the aisle as husband and wife.
Postlude — Your ceremony may or may not include a Postlude, depending on your preferences, the length of the ceremony, and the amount of time for which you've booked the musicians. The Postlude is one or more selections played as your guests depart. You may select a specific piece, or you may want to have us select something for you.
If you haven’t already done so, you may want to consult with your Officiant, church music director, cantor, wedding planner, etc. to discuss the appropriateness of musical selections as well as the number of selections and where they’ll fall within the ceremony. However, below are a couple of general points to consider:
Prelude — This is basically background music that helps set a mood as your guests arrive to take their seats and typically starts about 15-30 minutes prior to the ceremony. You’re welcome to select specific pieces for the Prelude, but you may want to have us select at least some of them for you. You might also want give us a general sense of the mood you’d like to create, such as romantic, reflective, jubilant, elegant, etc., and allow us to select appropriate repertoire.
Processional — Wedding ceremonies may have 1-3 (or more) processionals. We recommend 2 processionals for an average size ceremony: one for the wedding party, and one for the bride. However, many ceremonies have a specific selection to be played at the end of the Prelude as a Processional for seating of the Grandmothers, Mothers, etc. Of course, you’re welcome to have as many Processionals as you like.
Body of Ceremony — Most wedding ceremonies have at least one or two musical selections during the actual ceremony. Often these selections serve as musical accompaniments to the candle lighting, sign of peace, communion, or other celebratory rites; however, they can also be programmed into your ceremony simply as pure musical Interludes in their own right.
Recessional — This piece is usually jubilant in nature, and is played as the bride and groom walk back up the aisle as husband and wife.
Postlude — Your ceremony may or may not include a Postlude, depending on your preferences, the length of the ceremony, and the amount of time for which you've booked the musicians. The Postlude is one or more selections played as your guests depart. You may select a specific piece, or you may want to have us select something for you.