Planning a wedding is a daunting task for even the most organized of couples. Most couples use every bit of 12-14 months to plan their wedding to make sure everything goes well on this important day. One area that is often difficult to decide on is music. Often, the couple will need some suggestions regarding the type of music that is appropriate for the wedding service. Seeking the help of the minister of music, pianist or other church musicians will be of great benefit. They will be able to offer musical idea selections that will create the perfect atmosphere for their important date.
For many choosing a church wedding, classical music is a perfect choice. I’ve narrowed down the list to some of the most popular pieces and provided a link to where you can purchase the music.
*Notice: I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links.
PROCESSIONALS, RECESSIONALS, PRELUDE, AND POSTLUDE MATERIAL
Albinoni, T.
Arne. T.
- Flute Solo, in Graveyard Gems (Ernest White)
Bach, J.S.
- Arioso in A, in The Diane Bish Wedding Book (Alexandria House)
- God’s Time Is The Best Time, in The Biggs Book of Organ Music (H.W. Gray)
- I Stand At The Threshold, in The Biggs Book of Organ Music (H.W. Gray)
- Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, in The Diane Bish Wedding Book (Alexandria House)
- Sheep My Safely Graze
- Other Chorale Preludes
- Selected Preludes and Fugues
Bock. F.
- Postlude on “Old Hundredth,” in Fred Bock: Organ Sounds for Worship (Sacred Music Press)
Boellman, L.
- Suite Gothique, (Durand)
Bohm, G.
- Selected Chorale Preludes
Boyce, W.
Trumpet Tune In D. Major, in A Baroque Album, Vol. 1 (Concordia)
Brahms, J.
Selected Chorale Preludes
Brunner, R.
- Trumpet Processional, in The Cathedral Organist (Lillenas)
- Trumpet Tune in F, in The Cathedral Organist(Lillenas)
Burkhardt, M.
- Holy Spirit Ever Dwelling, in Five Pentecost Improvisations (Morning Star)
- O Day Full of Grace, in Five Pentecost Improvisations (Morning Star)
- Toccata on All Glory Laud and Honor
Bush, G.
- Trumpet March, (Basil Ramsey)
Buxtehude, D.
- Chaconne (from Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne), (Hedar)
- Other Preludes and Fugues
- Selected Chorale Preludes
Callahan, C.
- Aria, (Morning Star)
- Trumpet Tune, in Suite in D (Morning Star)
- The Rejoicing, in Suite G Major (Morning Star)
Campra, A
- Rigaudon, in The Diane Bish Wedding Book (Alexandria House)
Charpentier, M.A.
- Wedding Processional, in Two Processionals (Augsburg)
- Prelude to Te Deum
Clarke, J.
- Trumpet Tune in C Major, in Baroque Music for Manuals,Vol. 1 (Concordia)
- Trumpet Tune and Ayre in D Major, in Baroque Music Manuals, Vol.2 (Concorida)
- Trumpet Voluntary
Cook, J.
- Fanfare for Organ (Oxford)
Cooke, A.
- Postlude, in An album of Postludes (Oxford)
Corelli, A.
- Processional, in Two Processionals (Augsburg)
Couperin, L.
- Chaconne, in Anthology of Early French Organ Music (H.W. Gray)
Douglas, R.
- Jubilate, in An album of Postludes (Oxford)
Delamarter, E.
- Carillon, (H.W. Gray)
Dunstable, J.
- Agincourt Hymn, in Treasury of Early Organ Music (Merury)
Fedak, A.
- Trumpet Processional, in The Organist’s Companion-August 1985 (McAfee)
Fischer, J.K.F.
- Prelude in D Major, in Wedding Music,Vol. 1 (Concordia)
- Trumpet Tune in D Major, in A Baroque Album,Vol. 1 (Concordia)
Franck, C.
- Prelude in b minor (from Prelude, Fugue et Variation), (Kalmus)
German, D
- Trumpet Tune, (D&K Music)
Gigout E.
- Toccata in b minor, (Leduc)
- Scherzo in E Major, (Leduc)
Handel, G.F.
- Aria in F Major, in Wedding Music, Vol.1 (Concordia)
- Allegro Maestoso, Selections from “Water Music,” in The Diane Bish Wedding Book (Alexandria House)
Harris, W.
- Processional March, in A Wedding Bouquet (Novello)
Haydn, F. J.
- Serenade, in String Quartet F Major,op. 5, no. 5
- St. Anthony’s Chorale (available in many hymnals)
- Works for Flute Clock, (Concordia)
Holborne, A.
- Trumpet Allemande, in The Diane Bish Wedding Book (Alexandria House)
Hustad, D.
- Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
- Now Thank We All Our God
- Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven, in Collected Works of Don Hustad (Hope)
Ives, G
- Intrada, in The Modern Organist,Vol. 1 (Banks)
Johnson, D
- Earth and All Stars, (Augsburg)
- Three Trumpet Tunes, (C Major, E-flat Major, G Major) (Augsburg)
- Trumpet Tune in A-flat Major, in An Album of Postludes (Oxford)
- Trumpet Tune in D Major, (Augsburg)
- Wedding Music (Four volumes) (Augsburg)
Karg-Elert, S.
- Now Thank We All Our God, in The Diane Bish Wedding Book (Alexandria House)
- Praise The Lord With Drums and Cymbals, (Marks)
Lang, C. S.
- Procession, in An Album of Postludes (Oxford)
- Tuba Tune in D Major, (Cramer)
Linker, Janet
- Jubilant Procession, (Beckenhorst)
Manz, P.
- Aria, (Morning Star)
- Chorale Improvisations, (Concordia and Morning Star)
- Possibilities include: Praise To The Lord, God of Grace, Hyfrydol, Be Thou My Vision)
- Partita on St. Anne, (Concordia)
Marcello, B.
- Psalm XIX, in The Diane Bish Wedding Book (Alexandria House)
Massenet, J.
- Meditation from “Thais”
Mathias, W.
- Processional, in Modern Organ Music,Book 1 (Oxford)
Mendelssohn, F.
- Organ Sonatas (Selected movements) (G. Schirmer)
- Wedding March from “Midsummer Nights Dream,” in The Diane Bish Wedding Book (Alexandria House)
Mouret, J.
- Rondeau, in The Diane Bish Wedding Book (Alexandria House)
Mozart, W. A.
- Adagio from “Clarinet Concerto”
Mulet, H.
- Carillon-Sortie, in French Masterworks for Organ (Fischer)
- Tu es Petra (Thou Art the Rock) (Marks)
Mussorgsky, M.
- Promenade from “Pictures at An Exhibition”
Pachelbel, J.
- Canon in D
- Chromatic Fugue, in Wedding Music, Vol 1 (Concordia)
- Selected Choral Preludes and Toccatas
Perrin, H.C.
- The Canterbury March, in Canterbury Organ Album (Novello)
Purcell, H.
- Trumpet Tune and Air, in The Diane Bish Wedding Book (Alexandria House)
- Trumpet Tune in D Major, in The Diane Bish Wedding Book (Alexandria House)
Purvis, R.
- A Joyous Procession
- Cantabile
- Fanfare, in Trio of Contrasts (Flammer)
- Seven Chorale Preludes (Fischer)
Reger, M.
- Benedictus (Peters)
Rowan, W.
- Two Trumpet Tunes (G Major, E-flat Major) (Hope)
Schultz, A. F.
- Processional Fanfare (McAfee Music)
Stanley, J.
- Trumpet Voluntary, in Suite for Organ (Oxford)
Vangelis
- Hymne
Vaughn-Williams, R.
- Prelude on “Rhosymedre” (Stainer and Bell)
Verdi, G.
- Grande March from “Aida”
Vierne, L.
- Selected works from Fantaisie Pieces (Carillon de Westminister, Clair de Lune, Impromptu)
- Selected works from Symphonies(Symphony I, Finale; Symphony III, Finale; Symphony IV, Finale; Symphony VI, Allegro)
- Selected works from 24 Pieces in Free Style (Carillon du Longpoint; Berceuse; Legende)
Wagner, D.
- Fanfare and Processional, (Flammer)
Wagner, R.
- Bridal Chorus from “Lohengrin,” in The Diane Bish Wedding Book (Alexandria House)
Walther, J.
- Selected works: Concerti and Chorale Preludes
Weaver J.
- Toccata, (Boosey and Hawkes)
Webber, Andrew Lloyd
- All I Ask of You, from “The Phantom of the Opera” in Db Major
Widor, C.M.
- Selected movements from Symphonies(Symphony II, Finale; Symphony V, Allegro Vivace; Toccata; Symphony VI, Allegro) (Kalmus)
Witlocks, D.
- Processional (Lorenz)
Wolford
- Improvisation on a theme of Handel
Wright, S.
- Prelude on “Brother James Air,” (Oxford)
Young, G.
- Carillon, in Jubilee Suite (Flammer)
- Prelude in Classic Style, (Sacred Music Press)
- Rigaudon, in Preludes for Worship,2 vol. (Fred Bock Co.)
- Preludes on; Wedding Hymns (Flammer)
- Trumpet Tune, in Fourteen Pieces for Organ (Sacred Music Press)
- Ode to Joy, in Chorale Preludes on Seven Hymn Tunes (Flammer)
Zipoli, D.
- Festival Postlude, in A Treasury of Shorter Organ Classics (Associated Music Publishers)
VOCAL SOLOS
Hymns, sacred art songs, and gospel songs appropriate for the wedding ceremony.
Bach, C.P. E.
The Good Of God (Schirmer)
Bach, J.S.
- Abide With Them (Singspiration: It’s Wedding Time)
- Be Thou With Them (Schirmer; the Church Year)
- God My Shepherd (H.W. Gray)
- Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring (Carl Fischer)
- May God Smile On You (Peters: Wedding Cantata)
- My Heart Ever Faithful (Schirmer)
Barnby
O Perfect Love (Oliver Ditson)
Beck, J.N.
Consecration (Beckenhorst; Duets for the Master)
Bender, J.
Wedding Song (Concordia)
Bingham, S.
The Lord’s Prayer
Bitgood, R.
The Greatest of These Is Love (H.W. Gray)
Bock, J.
Sunrise, Sunset from “Fiddler on the Roof” in The Wedding Songbook (Wedding Song – A division of Calvary Music Group)
Bond, C. J.
I Love You Truly in The Wedding Songbook (Wedding Song-A division of Calvary Music Group)
Brown
O God of Love To Thee We Bow (Abingdon: Wedding Music)
Bunjes, P.
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Hyfrydol) in Wedding Blessings (Concordia)
Burroughs, B.
Consider The Lilies (Broadman Press; Broadman Solo Collection)
Busarow, D.
Love Is The Sunlight (Concordia)
Butler
My Prayer (Broadman Press #4559-38)
Carlson, D.
A Wedding Blessing (Schirmer)
Cassler, J.W.
Whither Thou Goest (Augsburg)
Clarkson
A Wedding Prayer (Hope: Our Sacred Day)
Clokey, J.
O Perfect Love
Courtney, C.
- Take My Life (Beckenhorst Press collection Music for the Master)
- Thee Will I Love (Breckenhorst)
Davies, W.
- The Lord’s My Shepherd
DeKoven, R.
- Oh, Promise Me from “Robin Hood” in The Big Book of Wedding Music (Hal Leonard)
Densmore
- If God Left Only You (traditional)
Dewey, R.A.
- Whither Thou Goest in The Wedding Songbook (Wedding Song-A division of Calvary Music Group)
Dungon, O.
- Eternal Life (Theodore Presser)
Dunlap, F.
- The Wedding Prayer (Schimer)
Dvorak, A.
- God Is My Shepherd
- I Will Sing New Songs of Gladness
- Sing Ye A Joyful Song
- English, T.
- And On This Day (Word)
Franck, C.
- O Lord Most Holy in The Wedding Songbook (Wedding Son – A division of Calvary Music Group)
Geehl
- My World (traditional)
Grounod, C.
- Entreat Me No To Leave Thee (Schimer)
- The King Of Love My Shepherd Is (Schimer)
Grieg, E.
- I Love Thee (traditional)
Gustafson, D.
- My Beloved (Sound Forth; Praise Glorious II)
Handel, G. F.
- Thine Be The Glory – duet also (Majesty Music; Men of Praise Vol.
Hardelot, G.
- Because in The Big Book of Wedding Music (Hal Leonard)
Harker
- O Love That Will Not Let Me Go (Schirmer)
Hayes, M.
- This Is The Day (Beckenhorst)
Holdridge, L.
- A Love Until The End Of Time
Jones, J.
- All For Thee (Bill Rice Ranch)
Krogstad, B.
- Come Praise The Lord With Me (Good Life Pub. #LOC6010X)
Leech, B.J.
- Can Two Walk Together (Fred Bock; Whom God Hath Joined Together)
Lopez, F.
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Wilds)
- Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven (Wilds)
Lovelace, A.
- Jesus Stand Beside Them (Abingdon)
- A Wedding Benediction (Schirmer)
- A Wedding Blessing (Abingdon)
Lynch, M.
- Benediction (Wilds)
- God Makes No Mistakes (Wilds)
- I Will Follow (Wilds)
- May The Lord Find Us Faithful (Wilds)
- Our Prayer of Consecration (Wilds)
- Together (Wilds)
Malotte, A.
- The Lord’s Prayer (Schirmer)
Mohr, J.
- Cherish The Treasure (Jonathan Mark Music)
Murray
- I’ll Walk Beside You (Chappell & Co.)
Parker, D.
- This Love Is Mine (C & L Enterprises; Soloist Volume I)
- I Will Love The Lord (C & L Enterprises; Soloist Volume III)
Peninger, D.
- Lead Us O Father In The Paths Of Peace (Broadman Press; Broadman Solo Collection)
Peters, F.
- Wedding Song
Pinkston, J.
- Praise My Soul The King of Heaven (Sound Forth; Praise Glorious I)
Purifoy, J.
- O Love That Will Not Let Me Go (Jenson #479-15024)
Rogers, E.
- God Given Love (Lillenas)
- So Love I Thee (Lillenas; The Christian Wedding)
- When God Gave Me You (Lillenas: The Christian Wedding)
Rowley, A.
- Here At Thine Altar, Lord
Rutter, J.
- The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Hinshaw)
- As The Bridegroom To His Chosen (Hinshaw)
Sanderson
- All Joy Be Thine (Boosey an Hawkes)
Scott
- Oh Promise Me (C. Fisher)
Shelley
- The King Of Love My Shepherd Is (Schirmer)
Simeone
- Walk Hand in Hand (Shawnee Press; #A-405)
Sowerby, L.
- The Lord Is My Shepherd (H.W. Gray)
Stainer, J.
- Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Schirmer)
Thiman, E.
- The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
VanGelderen, M.
- Our Wedding Day (Bill Rice Ranch)
West, D
- Forever In Love
Young, G.
- Now Let Us All Praise God and Sing (Galaxy Music)
Zichterman
- We Will Serve the Lord (As For Me and My House)
VOCAL SOLOS
Traditional and unknown author solos.
- I Never Walk Alone
- We Love You (Wilds)
- O Glorious Love (Good Life Pub. # L304; For Women Only)
- Someday, Somewhere
- Brother James Air
- Jesus Savior Blessed Friend
VOCAL SOLOS
Solos that are in the hymnbook.
- Come Thou Almighty King
- Children Of The Heavenly Father
- Fairest Lord Jesus
- Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- How Great Thou Art
- Jesus Thou Joy of Loving Hearts
- Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee
- Love Divine All Loves Excelling
- May the Grace of Christ Our Savior
- May The Mind Of Christ Our Savior
- Now Thank We All Our God
- Only One Life
- O Perfect Love
- Praise, My Soul, The King Of Heaven
- Praise To The Lord The Almighty
- The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
- To Glorify Thee
- Seal Us, O Hold Spirit
- Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us
- Other hymns of praise or devotional hymns
VOCAL SOLOS
COLLECTIONS
Endless Love (Tempo Music)
- He Leadeth Me
- Savior Like A Shepherd, Lead Us
Hale and Wilder Classic Collection (Paragon Press: this is a duet book
- Brethren, We Have Met To Worship
- I Am His and He Is Mine
- Now Sing We Joyfully Unto God
- Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
- Jesus, Name of Wondrous Love
Hale and Wilder Favorite Duets and Solos (Word)
- Let Your Joy Be Known
- Sound The Trumpet
- Sing and Bless The Lord
COLLECTIONS OF WEDDING MUSIC
- A Book of Wedding Pieces for Organ (Oxford)
- The Diane Bish Wedding Book (Alexandria House)
- Everything For The Wedding Organist (Hope)
- Wedding Music For The Organ: Christian Hearts In Love United (Church Street Music)
- The Big Book of Wedding Music (Hal Leonard)
- Our Sacred Day Our Sacred Day (Hope)
- Preludes On Wedding Hymns (Flammer)
- The Classical Wedding for trumpet and organ by John Head & Sue Mitchell-Wallace (Hope)
- Preludes On Wedding Hymns by Gordon Young (Flammer)
- Wedding Music for Two Violins (Mel Bay)
- A Second Book of Wedding Pieces (Oxford)
- Solos For The Church Year (Shirmer)
- Wedding Blessings, edited by Paul Bunjes (Concordia)
- Wedding Bouquet (Novello)
- It’s Wedding Time, arranged by Fred Bock (Singspiration)
- Wedding Classics for Flute and Organ, arranged by Lani Smith (Unity Music Press)
- Wedding Music (Abingdon)
- Wedding Music, 2 Vols. (Concordia)
- The Biggs Book of Organ Music (H.W. Gray)