Music for a church ceremony

Whether you’re arranging your own wedding, or helping a friend arrange theirs, allow our quick guide to help you choose the music for every stage of your big day.

If you are getting married in a church you can listen to some of the most popular wedding entrance music and hymns below.

 

Arrival of the bride

Charles Gounod (1818-1893 : France) Conductor: Richard Hickox Ensemble: Richard Hickox Orchestra Record label: Classic FM Records Catalogue ID: CFMD 18

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759 : Germany) Conductor: Paul McCreesh Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort and Players Record label: Classic FM Catalogue ID: CFMD 18

Lady Radnor's Suite (1) artwork

Lady Radnor's Suite (1) Hubert Parry (1848-1918 : England) Conductor: Patrick Hawes Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra Record label: Classic FM Catalogue ID: CFM D16

The Prince of Denmark's March artwork

The Prince of Denmark's March Jeremiah Clarke (c.1674-1707 : England) Soloists: Hakan Hardenberger; Simon Preston Record label: Philips Catalogue ID: 4340742

Bridal chorus artwork

Bridal chorus Wagner

Hymns

Cesar Franck (1822-1890 : Belgium) Conductor: Edward Higginbottom Ensemble: Choir and Musicians of New College, Oxford Record label: Decca (UMO) Catalogue ID: 275 8053

Franz Schubert (1797-1828 : Austria) Conductor: Kurt Herbert Adler Ensemble: National Philharmonic Orchestra Soloists: Luciano Pavarotti Record label: Decca

The Lord is my Shepherd artwork

The Lord is my Shepherd Howard Goodall Conductor: Stephen Darlington Ensemble: London Musici; Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford Soloists: Theo Armon-Jones Record label: EMI Classics Catalogue ID: 50999 21504723

Signing of the register

Gabriel Faure (1845-1924 : France) Conductor: Paavo Jarvi Ensemble: Orchestre de Paris; Choeur de l'Orchestre de Paris Record label: Warner Classics Catalogue ID: 50999 08847027

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750 : Germany) Conductor: Jose Serebrier Ensemble: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Record label: Naxos

Pie Jesu artwork

Pie Jesu Lloyd Webber

Ludwig Van Beethoven Conductor: Kurt Masur Ensemble: New York Philharmonic Orchestra Soloists: Anne-Sophie Mutter Record label: Deutsche Grammophon

String Quintet in E major Opus 13 No.5 - Minuet artwork

String Quintet in E major Opus 13 No.5 - Minuet Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805 : Italy) Ensemble: Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Record label: Deutsche Grammophon Catalogue ID: CFMFW 100

The bride and groom depart

Charles Marie Widor (1844-1937 : France) Soloists: Peter Hurford Record label: Classic FM Catalogue ID: CFMFW 100

Hallelujah Chorus artwork

Hallelujah Chorus George Frideric Handel Conductor: Neville Marriner Ensemble: Academy of St Martin in the Fields Record label: Duo Catalogue ID: 470 044-2

Trumpet Tune artwork

Trumpet Tune Jeremiah Clarke/Henry Purcell Ensemble: Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Record label: Classic FM Catalogue ID: CFMFW 105

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791 : Austria) Conductor: Colin Davis Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra Soloists: Kiri te Kanawa Record label: Philips Classics Catalogue ID: 4347252