šŸŽ» Wedding Ceremony Music Planning Guide – With Freebird Music Studios


Planning a wedding is a journey full of magical details—and one of the most memorable elements is the music. Whether you’re dreaming of romantic violin melodies or want a mix of classical and modern favourites, music sets the emotional tone for your ceremony and beyond.

At Freebird Music Studios, we love being a part of these unforgettable moments by offering live violin music, violin & piano duets, or violin & guitar duets for weddings and special events. Here’s a simple guide to help you plan your wedding day music, from the prelude to the last toast.

Photo by Simon Leonardo on Pexels.com

1. Prelude Music (15-30 Minutes Before the Ceremony)

Prelude Music sets the mood as guests arrive and are getting seated – it’s also a great way to entertain your guests as they wait for the ceremony to begin.

What to consider:
Choose a selection of gentle, beautiful pieces to create a calm and welcoming atmosphere. Depending on your taste, a mix of gentle classical music or covers of contemporary love songs are the perfect way to set the scene before the big show! Don’t feel stressed about choosing each song for the prelude, your musician should be able to compile a set of music that fits the mood you’re looking for!

Examples:

  • ā€œAir on G Stringā€ by Bach
  • ā€œRiver Flows in Youā€ by Yiruma
  • ā€œThe Swanā€ by C. Saint-Saens
  • ā€œCan’t Help Falling in Loveā€ by Elvis Presley (instrumental cover)

2. Processional Music

This is the music that plays as the wedding party enters the ceremony space.

You generally need to choose two pieces of music for the processional – one piece for the wedding party and a second, more dramatic piece for the entrance of the bride (or both partners). This is also a great opportunity to choose a song that may have special meaning to the couple!

Examples:

  • Wedding Party: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Bach if you prefer classical music, or if you like pop music, consider “Wildest Dreams” by Taylor Swift. If you like folk music, try “Bloom” by the Paper Kites.
  • Bride’s Entrance: ā€œCanon in D Majorā€ by Pachabel for a more traditional selection, or “The Prayer” Josh Groban/Charlotte Church for something more modern.

3. Ceremony Music (Optional Interludes)

This can include special songs during a unity ceremony, signing of the registry, or moments of reflection.

These are quieter moments that benefit from soft, meaningful music in the background. Usually a traditional ceremony will have one or two moments where a special song will help fill the silence during a ceremony or signing.

Ideas:

  • ā€œYou Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban
  • “Beauty and the Beast”
  • ā€œHallelujahā€ by Leonard Cohen (instrumental)

4. Recessional Music

This is a joyful and upbeat song that plays as you walk back up the aisle as newlyweds!

This music should be upbeat and celebratory—something that feels like a happy exclamation point at the end of your ceremony.

Examples:

  • ā€œSpringā€ from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
  • ā€œAll You Need Is Loveā€ by The Beatles (instrumental)
  • ā€œMarry Youā€ by Bruno Mars

5. Cocktail Hour Music (Optional Add-On)

If you’re having a cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception, live music can create an elegant, relaxed atmosphere. This is a great time for a mix of classical, jazz standards, or modern love songs.

Popular choices:

  • Instrumental Beatles, Taylor Swift, or Ed Sheeran
  • Jazz standards like ā€œAt Lastā€ or ā€œLa Vie en Roseā€ and “Fly Me to the Moon”

Let’s Create the Soundtrack to Your Love Story šŸŽ¶

At Freebird Music Studios, we offer custom violin music (with optional piano and guitar) for weddings and special events in Calgary. Whether you already have a vision or want help choosing the perfect songs, we’ll work with you to make your ceremony unforgettable.

šŸ“§ Want to chat about music for your big day? Reach out to Christina at freebirdmusicstudios@gmail.com to check availability and options!

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