50 Best Classical Wedding Ceremony Songs

Are you planning your wedding and searching for the perfect classical music to accompany your special day? As a professional violinist and wedding music consultant based in Washington DC, I’ve performed at countless ceremonies across prestigious venues like the Mayflower Hotel, Anderson House, and the Sequoia in Georgetown. Through my years of experience, I’ve compiled this comprehensive list of the most beautiful and timeless classical wedding ceremony songs to help you create an elegant and memorable atmosphere.

Prelude Selections (Music while Guests are Seating)

The prelude sets the tone for your wedding. Choose music that is elegant, welcoming, and helps transition your guests into a state of ceremony.

1. Air on the G String (J.S. Bach) - Elegant and romantic, perfect for a serene start.
2. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (J.S. Bach) - A peaceful and spiritual piece that feels timeless.
3. The Swan from Carnival of the Animals (Saint-Saëns) - Soft and graceful, highlighting the beauty of the strings.
4. Water Music excerpts (Handel) - Majestic and celebratory, perfect for a sophisticated ballroom.
5. Flower Duet from Lakmé (Delibes) - Incredibly romantic and flowing.
6. Sheep May Safely Graze (J.S. Bach) - Peaceful and pastoral, ideal for outdoor garden weddings.
7. Pachelbel’s Canon in D (Johann Pachelbel) - While often used for the processional, it makes a lovely prelude selection.
8. Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) - Passionate and deeply moving.
9. Nocturne in E-Flat Major (Chopin) - Romantic and intimate.
10. Largo from Xerxes (Handel) - A stately and elegant piece.

Processional Selections (Music for the Entrance)

The processional music defines the “grand entrance.”

11. Bridal Chorus (Wagner) - The traditional “Here Comes the Bride.”
12. Canon in D (Pachelbel) - Majestic and building in intensity.
13. Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke) - Triumphant and regal.
14. Trumpet Tune (Purcell) - A majestic and celebratory entrance.
15. Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (Handel) - Spirited and joyful.
16. Claire de Lune (Debussy) - Ethereal and romantic, perfect for a modern classical feel.
17. Ave Maria (Schubert) - Simply beautiful and emotionally resonant.
18. Wedding March from The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart) - Lighthearted and elegant.
19. Gabriel’s Oboe (Morricone) - Modern but with a classical soul, deeply moving.
20. Salut d’Amour (Elgar) - A charming and personal selection.

Interlude and Unity Music (During the Ceremony)

Music played during the candle lighting, sand ceremony, or reflection.

21. Arioso (Bach) - Reflective and beautiful.
22. Meditation from Thaïs (Massenet) - Soul-stirring and incredibly expressive on violin.
23. Largo from Winter (Vivaldi) - Cozy and intimate.
24. Panis Angelicus (Franck) - Spiritual and soaring.
25. Pavane (Fauré) - Hauntingly beautiful and sophisticated.
26. Adagio from Oboe Concerto (Marcello) - Simple and moving.
27. Minuet (Boccherini) - Light and elegant.
28. Rêverie (Debussy) - Dreamy and impressionistic.
29. Morning Mood from Peer Gynt (Grieg) - Hopeful and atmospheric.
30. Greensleeves (Traditional) - Timeless and nostalgic.

Recessional Selections (Music for the Exit)

The recessional should be triumphant and joyful, celebrating the newly married couple.

31. Wedding March (Mendelssohn) - The jubilant and traditional exit.
32. Spring from The Four Seasons (Vivaldi) - Celebratory and bright.
33. Hornpipe from Water Music (Handel) - Spirited and festive.
34. La Réjouissance (Handel) - Literally translated as “The Rejoicing.”
35. Ode to Joy (Beethoven) - Triumphant and grand.
36. Rondeau (Mouret) - The famous “Masterpiece Theatre” theme.
37. Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 (Bach) - Energetic and complex.
38. Autumn from The Four Seasons (Vivaldi) - Perfect for DC’s beautiful fall weddings.
39. Fireworks Music (Handel) - Grand and powerful.
40. Hallelujah Chorus (Handel) - For a truly epic conclusion.
41. Allegro Maestoso from Water Music (Handel) - Regal and celebratory.
42. Trumpet Tune (Purcell) - Another variant of the triumphant exit.
43. Minuet from Music for the Royal Fireworks (Handel) - Stately yet joyous.
44. Gigue from Suite No. 3 in D Major (Bach) - Lively and rhythmic.
45. Te Deum (Charpentier) - A festive and baroque masterpiece.
46. Sleeping Beauty Waltz (Tchaikovsky) - Romantic and grand.
47. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart) - Light, bright, and familiar.
48. Waltz of the Flowers (Tchaikovsky) - Elegant and festive.
49. Alla Hornpipe (Handel) - A wedding favorite.
50. Sinfonia from Solomon (Handel) - Joyous and lively.

DC Venue Guide: Which Pieces Work Best Where?

As a DC violinist, I’ve learned that the acoustics of your venue are just as important as the music itself. Here are my top “Expert Insight” pairings for some of our city’s most iconic locations:

1. The High-Ceiling Church (e.g., St. Matthews Cathedral)

• Top Pick: Ode to Joy or Trumpet Voluntary.
• Why: You need “vertical” sound. Pieces with strong, upward-moving melodies and a lot of resonance will fill those massive stone arches perfectly.

2. The Gilded Age Ballroom (e.g., Anderson House)

• Top Pick: Flower Duet or Sleeping Beauty Waltz.
• Why: These venues feel like a step back in time. Romantic, flowing waltzes complement the intricate moldings and historical artwork.

3. The Modern Museum (e.g., National Museum of Women in the Arts)

• Top Pick: Claire de Lune or Meditation from Thaïs.
• Why: Modern spaces often have crisper, cleaner acoustics. Impressionist works like Debussy sound ethereal and sophisticated in these open, light-filled spaces.

4. The Garden Courtyard (e.g., Dumbarton House)

• Top Pick: Sheep May Safely Graze or Spring by Vivaldi.
• Why: Outdoor spaces lack walls to bounce sound back. You want “active” music with plenty of notes and movement to keep the atmosphere feeling full and bright against the ambient city noise.

---

Pro Tip: How to Mix Classical & Modern Music

Many of my DC clients love the idea of a classical ceremony but want their favorite pop songs too. Here is the “Nataly Merezhuk Method” for mixing genres without it feeling jarring:

1. The Prelude (Classical): Start with timeless Bach or Handel. It signals to your guests that “the event is starting” and creates a sense of occasion.
2. The Processional (Modern): This is your moment. If you want to walk to Taylor Swift or Coldplay, do it! The contrast between the classical prelude and your modern entrance makes your walk even more impactful.
3. The Interlude (Classical): If you are doing a unity candle or sand ceremony, return to something soft and classical like Arioso. It keeps the mood reflective.
4. The Recessional (Mix): Feel free to go either way! A high-energy pop hit like Signed, Sealed, Delivered is a great transition to the cocktail hour, while Mendelssohn’s Wedding March is the ultimate traditional exit.

---

Final Thoughts: Your Vision, My Strings

Whether you are dreaming of a traditional ceremony that would make the Royal Family proud or a modern celebration that breaks all the rules, these 50 classical wedding songs provide the foundation for an elegant day.

Ready to start planning your custom setlist for your DC wedding? Contact me today for a free music consultation where we’ll match your favorite pieces to your specific venue’s acoustics!