Avoid Overused Music! 29 Better Choices for Prelude Music for Wedding Ceremonies

by dave

29 Better Choices for Prelude Music for Wedding CeremoniesBoring, overused music choices won’t say much about you (or at least maybe not anything flattering). Choices that are distinctive and not overused will be most memorable. They’re also more effective at setting a mood.

In an earlier article, I discussed the value of prelude music for wedding ceremonies in establishing your desired mood.

Now, here are some great prelude music ideas for wedding ceremonies. They’re all perfect for church weddings.

They’re not overused, which means they’ll be effective at helping you create a memorable ceremony with music that is a reflection of you! (see “The Secret to Making Your Wedding Uniquely Yours”).

I’ve included suggestions for instruments on which the pieces can be played.

There’s a few example music preview links in the list below. If these are helpful, you’ll appreciate my Guide to Selecting Memorable Church Wedding Music which includes hundreds of music ideas and almost all of them have preview links. Check it out—you’d probably appreciate the extra help!

  • Albinoni: Adagio in G Minor

Extremely versatile: Can be performed on organ solo, organ plus a solo instrument (such as a violin), piano, piano plus cello, piano plus violin, harp plus flute, classical guitar, just about any instrument or combination of instruments can work.

  • Bach: Blessed Jesus, We Are Here (BWV 754). For organ.
  • Bach: Blessed Jesus, We Are Here (BWV 731). For organ.
  • Arthur Foote: Canzonetta

Organ, piano plus violin

  • William Selby: Voluntary in A Major. For organ.
  • Bach: Fugue in G Major (aka the “Gigue” or “Jig” Fugue). For organ.
  • Handel: La Paix from The Royal Fireworks Music

Organ, piano

  • Bach: Prelude & Fugue in C Major BVW 547

Organ. The prelude & fugue can be played by themselves.

  • Bach: Prelude & Fugue in C Major BWV 846

Organ, Piano, classical guitar, harp. The prelude & fugue can be played by themselves.

  • Bach: Sheep May Safely Graze

Organ, piano, organ plus trumpet/flute/violin/etc.

  • Boellmann: Andantino. For organ.
  • John Cook: Fanfare. For organ.
  • Buxtehude: “Jig” Fugue in C. For organ.
  • Franck: Pastorale. For organ.
  • Manz: Jesus, Still Lead On

Organ, Organ plus solo instrument (violin, cello, oboe, flute)

  • Mendelssohn: Prelude & Fugue in G. For organ.
  • Sowerby: Carillon. For organ.
  • John Stanley: Voluntary

Organ, organ plus trumpet

  • Vierne: Berceuse. For organ.
  • Vaughan Williams: Rhosymedre. For organ.
  • Gordon Young: Prelude in Classic Style. For organ.
  • Handel: Air from Water Music

Organ, piano, harp

  • Handel: Largo from Xerxes

Organ, piano, organ/piano plus flute

  • Handel: La Réjouissance from The Royal Fireworks Music. For organ.

That’s it!
I hope these suggestions will give you some great ideas for your wedding!

Do you have some other music suggestions? Leave a comment and share with your fellow readers. Your comments are always welcome and appreciated!

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