The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Wedding Ceremony Music in Chicago
Can’t Help Falling In Love
Your wedding ceremony is one of the most meaningful moments of your wedding day. From the first notes your guests hear as they arrive to the music that accompanies your walk down the aisle, the right music can create an atmosphere that feels personal, elegant, and completely your own.
For couples planning a wedding in Chicago, there are countless possibilities for ceremony music. You might envision traditional classical pieces, romantic favorites, a contemporary song that means something special to you, or a combination of styles.
As a Chicago wedding harpist, I help couples create personalized ceremony programs that reflect their relationship, their style, and the atmosphere they want for their wedding day.
Here's a guide to help you choose the perfect wedding ceremony music.
1. Prelude Music
Prelude music begins as guests arrive and are being seated, usually about 30 minutes before the ceremony.
This music sets the tone for the wedding before the ceremony officially begins. It's a wonderful opportunity to introduce your musical style without making the selections feel too formal.
For example, you might choose romantic melodies, classical pieces, jazz standards, popular songs, or music from a favorite movie.
2. Wedding Party Processional
The processional is when members of the wedding party walk down the aisle.
Some couples choose one piece of music for the entire wedding party, while others select a different song for the bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents, or other members of the procession.
If you have a larger wedding party, your harpist can help you choose music that is long enough to accommodate everyone walking down the aisle.
3. Bridal Processional
This is the musical moment many couples think about first: the walk down the aisle.
You can choose a traditional wedding processional such as Wagner's "Bridal March," or select something more personal.
Popular romantic choices can include "Can't Help Falling in Love," "A Thousand Years," "Perfect," "Here Comes the Sun," or a song that has special meaning to you and your partner.
One of the advantages of live harp music is that familiar songs can take on an entirely different character when arranged for harp, creating a unique and memorable experience for you and your guests.
5. Recessional
The recessional is the joyful music that begins when the ceremony ends and you and your wedding party walk back down the aisle.
This is often a great opportunity to choose something upbeat and celebratory.
Traditional choices include Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" or Purcell's "Trumpet Voluntary," but you certainly don't have to choose a traditional piece.
A contemporary love song, a favorite Beatles song, pop hit, or even a Disney song can create a wonderfully personal recessional.
6. Postlude Music
After the newlyweds and wedding party have exited, guests often need several minutes to leave the ceremony space.
Postlude music keeps the atmosphere warm and celebratory while guests transition to the next part of the wedding day.
Should You Choose Classical or Contemporary Wedding Music?
There is no right answer.
Your wedding ceremony music should reflect you.
Classical music can create a timeless, sophisticated atmosphere. Pieces such as Bach's "Air," Debussy's "Clair de Lune," Pachelbel's "Canon," or Satie's "Gymnopédie No. 1" can be beautiful choices for an elegant wedding ceremony.
But contemporary music can be just as beautiful.
A harp arrangement of "POV," "Perfect," "Lover," "Can't Help Falling in Love," or another meaningful song can make the ceremony feel uniquely personal.
You can also mix the two.
For example, you might choose classical music for the prelude, a romantic contemporary song for your processional, and an upbeat favorite for the recessional.
Why Is Harp Music So Beautiful for a Wedding Ceremony?
The harp has a natural elegance that works beautifully in a wedding setting.
Its sound can create a romantic and intimate atmosphere without overwhelming the ceremony or competing with the spoken portions of the service.
Another advantage is versatility.
A harp can move naturally between classical music, romantic standards, pop, rock, jazz, movie themes, Disney favorites, Beatles songs, and contemporary music.
My repertoire includes everything from Bach, Debussy, and Vivaldi to The Beatles, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran, and many other contemporary artists. Special song requests are also welcome.
How Do You Choose the Right Wedding Songs?
Start with the songs that mean something to you.
Think about:
A song you listened to when you first met
Your favorite artist or band
A song from your first date
Music that reminds you of a special trip
A song you've always imagined walking down the aisle to
A piece of music that reflects your cultural or family traditions
A favorite movie, Broadway show, Disney film, or television series
Don't worry about whether a song is traditionally considered "wedding music."
If a song is meaningful to you, it can be meaningful at your wedding.
What If My Favorite Song Isn't Traditionally Played at Weddings?
Ask!
One of my favorite parts of being a wedding harpist is creating a musical experience that feels personal to each couple.
My repertoire includes contemporary songs that might not immediately come to mind when you think of traditional wedding music. I also welcome special requests.
For couples who aren't sure where to begin, I offer curated ceremony programs that can serve as inspiration. You can choose an entire program, mix and match selections, or use the suggestions as a starting point for creating your own ceremony music.
Wedding Ceremony Music Ideas
Here are a few examples of different musical styles you could consider.
Romantic Wedding
For a romantic and timeless atmosphere, consider:
"Can't Help Falling in Love"
"La Vie en Rose"
"The Way You Look Tonight"
"At Last"
"You Are So Beautiful"
"Love Story"
Classical Wedding
For an elegant classical ceremony, consider:
"Air" from Bach's Suite No. 3
"Clair de Lune" by Debussy
"Meditation from Thaïs"
"Gymnopédie No. 1" by Satie
"Spring" from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons
Pachelbel's "Canon"
Modern Wedding
For a contemporary ceremony, consider:
"A Thousand Years"
"Perfect"
"Lover"
"All of Me"
"Thinking Out Loud"
"Until I Found You"
Beatles-Inspired Wedding
The Beatles offer an incredible selection of songs for weddings, including:
"Here Comes the Sun"
"All You Need Is Love"
"In My Life"
"Something"
"Let It Be"
"Golden Slumbers"
Disney Wedding
For couples who love Disney, possibilities include:
"Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
"Beauty and the Beast"
"A Whole New World"
"Married Life"
"Part of Your World"
"When You Wish Upon a Star"
These are just a few possibilities. Your wedding music can be as traditional, contemporary, playful, romantic, or eclectic as you want.
How Far in Advance Should You Choose Your Wedding Music?
I recommend beginning the process once you have your ceremony date and venue established.
You don't necessarily need to have every song chosen immediately. In fact, many couples benefit from having a conversation with their musician before making their final selections.
There are practical considerations, too. Your venue may have specific requirements for musicians, setup, electrical access, sound levels, or where the musician can be positioned.
Starting early gives you time to explore your options without feeling rushed.
What Is Included in a Wedding Harpist's Ceremony Performance?
A professional wedding ceremony package can include much more than simply playing music during the processional.
For example, my solo harp wedding ceremony package includes:
30 minutes of prelude music as guests arrive
Processional music
Ceremony music
Recessional music
15–20 minutes of postlude music
A private consultation to select your music
This allows us to plan the musical details together so that the music flows naturally throughout your ceremony.
Choosing a Chicago Wedding Harpist
When choosing live music for your wedding ceremony, consider more than just the instrument.
Look for a musician who:
Has extensive wedding experience
Understands the timing and flow of ceremonies
Has a broad repertoire
Is willing to accommodate special requests
Communicates clearly and professionally
Can help you select music if you're unsure where to begin
Has experience performing at your type of venue
Experience matters because wedding ceremonies don't always follow an exact script. A professional musician needs to be able to respond gracefully when a processional takes longer than expected or the ceremony schedule changes.
Make Your Wedding Ceremony Music Personal
The most memorable wedding ceremony music isn't necessarily the most traditional.
It's the music that reminds you of who you are as a couple.
Maybe that's a classical masterpiece you've loved for years. Maybe it's a song by Taylor Swift. Maybe it's a Beatles song you both grew up listening to. Maybe it's the soundtrack from a movie you watched together on your first date.
Whatever you choose, live harp music can give those songs a beautiful and distinctive sound.
Planning a Chicago Wedding?
If you're looking for a Chicago wedding harpist for your ceremony, I'd love to help you create a personalized musical experience.
I offer solo harp and harp-and-violin options for wedding ceremonies throughout Chicago and the surrounding Chicagoland area. With more than 20 years of professional experience, I've performed at weddings and prestigious Chicago venues including The Langham, The Drake, The Peninsula, and the Four Seasons.
Whether you already know exactly what you want to hear as you walk down the aisle or you need help choosing the perfect songs, we can create a ceremony program that feels uniquely yours.
Ready to start planning your wedding ceremony music? Get in touch to check availability and create your personalized wedding music plan.