When it comes to creating a memorable and emotionally rich wedding experience, live wedding ceremony music is one of the most powerful elements you can include. From the moment guests arrive, music sets the tone for your celebration and often becomes their very first impression of your big day.
Whether you envision a timeless, traditional ceremony or something modern and personal, choosing the right wedding ceremony music helps define your style, tell your love story, and elevate the entire experience. Below is a complete guide to help you select the perfect live music for each part of your ceremony.
Consider Your Venue and Set the Tone
Your ceremony venue plays a major role in determining the style of music that will work best. Classical wedding music is a timeless choice and pairs beautifully with churches, cathedrals, and formal venues. In ornately designed spaces, live classical music adds an extra layer of elegance and creates an immersive, luxurious atmosphere.
That said, many couples today prefer a more personalized approach. Incorporating instrumental covers of contemporary love songs is a wonderful way to reflect your relationship and create a ceremony that feels uniquely yours, without losing sophistication.
Pro tip: Always confirm whether your ceremony venue has music restrictions. Some houses of worship and outdoor venues limit song choices, volume levels, or the use of sound amplification.
Review Your Live Music Budget
Deciding between a soloist or an ensemble should be guided by your musical vision and your budget. In general, hiring additional live musicians increases the overall cost, but also enhances depth, volume, and visual impact.
Hiring an experienced soloist who performs with backing tracks can still deliver a rich, full sound. If your budget allows, these elegant wedding ceremony ensembles are popular choices:
Violin + Harp Duo
Violin + Cello Duo
Piano Trio: violin, piano, cello
Harp Trio: violin, harp, cello
String Quartet: 2 violins, viola, cello
String Quintet: 2 violins, viola, cello, bass
Mini Orchestra: 6+ string instruments
Pro tip: Make sure your officiant has a microphone, especially for outdoor wedding ceremonies! This is often provided by your DJ, the venue’s sound technician, or a live music company.
Stone Mountain Estates: Photo Courtesy Christine Li Photography
Don’t Forget Prelude Music
Prelude music is one of the most overlooked, but impactful, parts of a wedding ceremony. Guests should never arrive to silence! While background music from a DJ works well, it simply doesn’t compare to the warmth and intimacy of live prelude music.
As guests arrive and take their seats, live musicians create an inviting atmosphere and set the emotional tone well before the ceremony begins. For many guests, this becomes one of the most memorable moments of the day.
Ideal prelude selections include classical favorites and soft instrumental covers of well-known love songs. Experienced wedding musicians will naturally read the room and adjust their repertoire to match the energy of your guests.
Pro Tip: Clear communication is key. Your coordinator should cue both the musician(s) and the wedding party so entrances don’t accidentally begin during prelude music. Having your wedding party wait for the musician(s) to receive the proper cue and allowing time to switch songs is imperative.
Choosing Your Wedding Party Processional Song
This music accompanies the entrance of family members and the wedding party. Choose something gentle and balanced, neither too fast nor too slow. The song should feel slightly understated compared to your bridal entrance music.
Pro tip: While it may be tempting to assign a different song to each person walking down the aisle, this often causes the music to feel short, awkward, and emotionally unsatisfying. From a guest’s perspective, continuous music feels elevated and cinematic. Using one continuous piece allows the music to adapt naturally to the pace of the procession and extend/shorten the music as needed. We typically only recommend having multiple songs for extra-large wedding parties or long aisles, which allows each selection to breathe and be fully enjoyed.
Choosing Your Bridal Entrance Song
Your bridal entrance song is one you’ll remember forever. Whether you prefer something ethereal and romantic or grand and traditional, choose a piece with a slightly slower tempo to allow you to savor the moment. A classic choice like Bridal Chorus "Here Comes The Bride" (Wagner) remains timeless, but many modern couples opt for contemporary arrangements that feel deeply personal.
Pro tip: For a truly special bridal entrance, pause at the start of the aisle. Take a breath and listen to your song. Let the moment fully land before you begin walking. Don’t rush the moment!
Classical Processional Songs:
Air on G (Bach)
Ave Maria (Schubert)
Bridal Chorus "Here Comes The Bride" (Wagner)
Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Flower Duet (Delibes)
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)
O Mio Babbino Caro (Puccini)
Menuet (Boccherini)
Salut d’Amour (Elgar)
The Four Seasons: Winter (Vivaldi)
The Swan (Saint-Saens)
Contemporary Processional Songs:
A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)
At Last (Etta James)
Best Part - feat H.E.R (Daniel Caesar)
Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)
Enchanted (Taylor Swift)
Goodness of God (CeCe Winans)
Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles)
I Get To Love You (Ruelle)
La Vie en Rose (Edith Piaf)
Make You Feel My Love (Adele)
Oceans - Where Feet May Fail (Hillsong UNITED)
Tale As Old As Time (Beauty and The Beast)
The Prayer (Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion)
Until I Found You (Stephen Sanchez)
Video Games (Lana Del Rey)
Yellow (Coldplay)
You Are The Reason (Calum Scott)
Young and Beautiful (Lana Del Rey)
Choosing Your Recessional Song
You're officially married and it's time to make your exit as newlyweds! Your chosen recessional song should feel joyful, uplifting, and full of energy. Some couples prefer something lively and modern, while others love a traditional grand exit. There’s no right or wrong, so choose what feels authentic to you.
Classical Recessional Songs:
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)
Ode to Joy (Beethoven)
The Four Seasons: Spring (Vivaldi)
The Garland Waltz (Tchaikovsky)
Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke)
Wedding March (Mendelssohn)
Contemporary Recessional Songs:
Bridgerton Main Theme (Kris Bowers)
Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Franki Valli)
Fly Me To The Moon (Frank Sinatra)
Golden Hour (JVKE)
Isn't She Lovely (Stevie Wonder)
L-O-V-E (Nat King Cole)
Love Story (Indila)
Married Life (Up)
Marry You (Bruno Mars)
Ordinary (Alex Warren)
Spring 1 - Recomposed by Max Richter (Vivaldi)
Stand by Me (Ben E. King)
This Will Be - An Everlasting Love (Natalie Cole)
Viva La Vida (Coldplay)
Wildest Dreams (Taylor Swift)
Ready to book your wedding musicians?
Head over to the Contact Page to request a customized quote for 2026 weddings and events! Make the soundtrack to your special occasion unforgettable with Enchanted Strings by Ashot Dumanyan, available throughout Southern California, including Greater Los Angeles, Conejo Valley, Ventura County, Orange County, Temecula, Inland Empire, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Valley, Malibu, Catalina Island, and Palm Springs.