Are you having trouble finding good wedding songs?
For some reason, picking wedding songs for use during the ceremony seems to be one of the more difficult musical choices a bride gets to make. When asked for recommendations, I can also find this to be challenging, and as a musician, I have access to a lot of music.
Why so difficult? (And then I have music ideas for you!)
Is it that there’s less music?
Maybe there’s just less “wedding music” out there. Most of the music used in church wedding ceremonies wasn’t written for weddings, it seems to find its way into weddings over time. Even Pachelbel’s famous Canon in D didn’t become popular in weddings until late in the 20th century.
Is it different expectations?
Maybe our expectations for music during the ceremony is different than for the rest of the ceremony. For the rest, we’re okay with just about any music that’s appropriate for a church and for a festive occasion. But for during the ceremony, maybe we tend to want something that is specifically written for a wedding?
Is it a lack of recordings?
Or perhaps it’s just harder to actually find the music that’s out there. Since most people want to hear music before they choose it, it’s mostly music that’s been recorded that tends to get chosen. And there’s a lot of music that hasn’t been recorded. Many weddings songs I like to recommend haven’t been. Even some of the songs mentioned later in the article have links that point to YouTube rather than a “real” recording!
For example, here are some songs worth checking out that I just can’t seem to find recordings for:
- Richard Proulx: How Blest Are They
- Austin Lovelace: A Wedding Benediction
- Walter Pelz: A Wedding Blessing
- Leo Sowerby: O Perfect Love
- Raymond Haan: Benediction
- William Bradbury: Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
- John Peterson: Jesus, Guest at Cana’s Wedding
Is it that we want to get it just right?
Or is it that because music during the ceremony is harder to “get right”? Is it the ceremony equivalent of the “first dance” song (which everyone wants to make sure is absolutely perfect)?
Is it more intimidating?
Maybe the desire to make the perfect choice also makes it a little bit more intimidating. A bride’s processional probably also has the same pressure to “get it right”, but at least for the processional, there are many well-known pieces available.
Wedding song ideas
Whatever the reason, I know that you need more choices to help make your ceremony music memorable and perfect. I’m always on the lookout for music ideas to pass along.
Here are some music ideas for you below. But don’t overlook these other articles containing good wedding song ideas:
- A Brand New Wedding Song For You To Discover
- A Wonderful Song for Wedding Ceremonies
- Wedding Songs for Church Wedding Ceremonies
Here are some good wedding songs (which I was able to find recordings for). Some are well-known, some not:
- Cesar Franck: Panis Angelicus (also known by its English title “O Lord Most Holy”)
- Hal Hopson: Gift of Love
- Donald Busarow: This Love
- Niles Borop/Dwight Liles: Only God Could Love You More
- Steven Curtis Chapman: I Will Be Here
- Johann Sebastian Bach: Sheep May Safely Graze (Aria from Cantata 208)
- Dorothy Gurney: the hymn “O Perfect Love”
You’ll find these and many more songs included in my “Guide to Selecting Memorable Church Wedding Music”.
I wish you the best on your search for your perfect wedding song. Please let me know how I can help. I’ll be sure to continue providing ideas.
What do you think?
What other wedding songs do you know of? What do you think of these suggestions? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts. Your comments are most welcome and appreciated!
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