For brides who’ll be swapping their plastic headphones for tulle veil or bejeweled chapeau last minute, dum, dum, dum, dum may take on a different tune. Monogrammed runners and homespun bouquets are leading the personalized wedding trend down the aisle, and in the spirit of leaving-no-man-behind, processional music’s become totally eclectic. Use a recorded version of your favorite melodious gem or hire professional musicians to play live. You may want a string quartet, tribute band, brass ensemble, or solo vocalist. If your honed ears are so inclined, you could even commission a new composition just for the occasion. But whatever the vessel, brave the unconventional, face the music and apply for something a little off-kilter.
true blue traditional
Then again, for a sure-fire flow of tears, stick with the oldies but goodies. If you’re enticed by the rich history that nuptial melodies evoke, the following timeless pieces should fit the bill. In the end, swear by the classics and you’ll know you’re in good hands.
Suggestions:
Wagner – Here Comes the Bride
Pachelbel – Canon in D
Mendelssohn – Wedding March (Midsummer’s Night Dream)
Bach – Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Schubert – Ave Maria
fantastical classical
Call on these classicists to weave elegance, human spirit, and sensory rapture into your ceremony. Depending on the venue and its level of acoustics, a soloist, duet or trio may be enough to provide atmospheric intimacy, while a choir might be more suitable for a vast sanctuary.
Suggestions:
Mozart – Romance, Wedding March (The Marriage of Figaro), Requiem Mass
Bach – Cello Suites
Handel – Air from Water Music
Beethoven – Moonlight Sonata
Chopin – Nocturne
Vivaldi – Allegro (Spring Concerto)
Debussy – Danses Sacred et Profane
Schubert – Symphony No.8
Shaw - Morning Has Broken
hip and happenin’ jazz cat
The sounds of authentic jazz are steamy yet subtle, intoxicating yet intricate. Many are universal favorites that will flash across the memory of your loved ones in the form of a smile. A self-assured, smoky-smooth number is sure to relax once all eyes are fixed upon the bride.
Suggestions:
Louis Armstrong – A Kiss to Build a Dream On, When You’re Smiling
Etta James – At Last, It Had to Be You
Nat King Cole – Unforgettable, When I Fall in Love
Curtis Mayfield – The Makings of You
Frank Sinatra – My Funny Valentine
freewheelin’ folkster
The era of the balladeer lives on in the heart of every folkie bride-to-be. Reel and ramble your way down the aisle with a little thought-provoking jingle-jangle in your step. Be forewarned though – the tears are gonna well.
Suggestions:
Bob Dylan – Sara, You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere
Neil Young – Heart of Gold
Joni Mitchell – Both Sides Now
Beach Boys – Wouldn’t It Be Nice
poptastic theatrics
Lift the curtain, crank the volume, and suspend your disbelief with a song that conjures up the magic of past cinematic sweethearts. There’s no need to blush if you have a soft spot for sugary pop. The pretty flush you get from saccharine lyrics and your tearful honey is however, more than welcome.
Suggestions:
Herman Hupfeld – As Time Goes By (Casablanca)
Meredith Willson – ‘Till There Was You (The Music Man)
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Think of Me (Phantom of the Opera)
Elton John – Your Song
Yann Tierson - La Valse d’Amelie (Amelie)
rock’n’rolla
For the couple who chokes up for the bittersweet, that old-time rock ‘n’ roll will make you feel confident, free as birds, and most importantly, so happy together. Choose from an array of originals, covers, B-sides, and rarities, spanning from early sixties British Invasion to under-the-radar alternative.
Suggestions:
Elvis – Can’t Help Falling in Love with You
The Beatles- In My Life, When I’m 64, All You Need is Love, Your Majesty
The Kinks - Strangers
Love – I Will Always See Your Face
The Velvet Underground – I Found a Reason
Radiohead – True Love Waits
The White Stripes – I Think We’re Gonna Be Friends\
Ben Gibbard – I Will Follow You Into The Dark