We’ve prepared this page to help you choose organ music for your wedding ceremony.
The music is arranged in four groups A. Grand and Glorious; B. Joyful and Celebratory; C. Light and Cheerful; and D. Soft and Lovely. You will want to choose a variety of selections from more than one category.
Music for a typical wedding:
- Prelude Music – 10 to 20 minutes, usually chosen by the organist to complement your selections
- Seating of the Parents – choose a piece from group C or D
- Procession of the Attendants – choose one selection from category C (or another category if you wish)
- Procession of the Bride – choose one piece from group A or B
- Recessional (as the bride and groom exit the church) – music from category B is most appropriate.
Other musical elements, such as congregational hymns, vocal solos, or ideas for organ music not on this list, can be arranged through our Associate in Music.
A. Grand and Glorious
1. Trumpet Voluntary (Jeremiah Clarke): the quintessential wedding processional
2. Trumpet Tune in D major (David Johnson): an alternative to the Trumpet Voluntary
3. Overture from “Music for the Royal Fireworks” (Handel)
4. Theme from “Jupiter” (Holst)
5. Hornpipe, from “Water Music” (Handel)
B. Joyful and Celebratory
6. The Rejoicing, from “Music for the Royal Fireworks” (Handel): great for the recessional
7. Rigaudon (Campra)
8. Trumpet Tune (Purcell)
9. The Heavens Declare the Glory of God (Marcello)
10. Wedding March (Mendelssohn)
C. Light and Cheerful
11. March from “Judas Maccabeus” (Handel) Not David
12. St. Anthony Chorale (Brahms)
13. Gavotte (Handel)(Not David)
14. Prelude to a Te Deum (Charpentier)
15. Air, from “Water Music” (Handel)
16. Jesus, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach)
17. Autumn, from “The Seasons” (Vivaldi)
D. Soft and Lovely
18. Rhosymedre, or “Lovely” (Vaughan Williams)
19. Air from Orchestral Suite No. 3 (Bach)
20. Arioso (Bach)
21. The Peace, from “Music for the Royal Fireworks” (Handel)
22. Canon in D (Pachelbel)
23. Gymnopedie No. 1 (Satie)