Wedding Music Selections
First there's the "Prelude Music" as guests are being seated before the wedding. Those selections are usually not listed in a program. When it's time for the "Service Music", as many as six pieces may be specified:
Processional: Seating of the Mothers
Processional: Entrance of the Bridesmaids
Processional: Entrance of the Bride
Interlude: Candle Lighting, etc.
Recessional: Bride & Groom exit
Recessional: Postlude (All exit)
Some typical examples from the Classical tradition:
PROCESSIONALS:
PACHELBEL: Canon in D
BACH: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
CLARKE: Trumpet Voluntary
WAGNER: Bridal Chorus
PURCELL: Trumpet Tune
INTERLUDES:
HANDEL: Air from the Water Music
BACH: Air from the Suite in D (“on the G string”)
HUMPERDINCK: Children’s Prayer from Hansel and Gretel
VIVALDI: Winter (Largo)
SCHUBERT: Ave Maria
RECESSIONALS:
BEETHOVEN: Ode To Joy
MENDELSSOHN: Wedding March from Midsummer Night’s Dream
HANDEL: La Rejouissance
VIVALDI: Spring (Allegro)
HANDEL: Hornpipe from the Water Music
LENNON/McCARTNEY: All You Need Is Love