Tulsa Quartet Library Section IV: Our Most Requested Wedding Light Classics
Over the years, Tulsa Quartet has played weddings of many styles: barn weddings, mansion weddings, church weddings, home weddings, outdoor and lakeside weddings. Regardless of the venue, for those looking for tradition and elegance, there are light-classical pieces that perfectly set the mood. It can be daunting to comb through hundreds of pieces, looking for the very most fitting. Out of hundreds of choices, here are Tulsa Quartet's most requested light-classical pieces for each of the five parts of a traditional ceremony— our top ten plus. Don't see what you're looking for? See Tulsa Quartet's complete music library, including Pop, Contemporary, Jazz and Standards; Beatles and Classic Pop; Disney and Musicals; More Light Classics; Folk, Country, Gypsy, Hymns and Gospel; Latin; Jewish Traditional and Holiday Selections. If you want something not yet in our library, please contact us with your wish list; we love new music!
PART I: THE PRELUDE. Pleasant, Peaceful and Happy
Prelude music sets the tone; it is usually performed during the 15 to 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony while the guests are arriving and being seated, and usually continues with the seating of the grandparents and parents. The prelude is the only part of the wedding where guests are mostly on their own, with no officiant or activity directing their attention. Music can help guests switch attention from daily concerns to the main reason for the gathering.
| Wedding Prelude Favorites | Composer |
|---|---|
| Air from Suite No. 3 (Air on the G String) | Bach |
| Ave Maria | Schubert |
| Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, 1st movement | Mozart |
| Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring | Bach |
| La Vie en Rose | Guglielmi |
| Rondeau from “Premiere Suite” | Mouret |
| Sheep May Safely Graze | Bach |
| Spring, from the Four Seasons | Vivaldi |
| See Complete Music Library Alphabetized by Title |
PART II: THE PROCESSIONAL: Stately, Elegant, and Exciting
Once the grandparents, parents or people of special significance to the bride and groom enter and are seated, there may be brief pause in the music and an expectant hush usually falls over those assembled. The lead musician is cued when the wedding party is ready, and the processional music, or "walking down the aisle" music begins with the entrance of the bridesmaids, flower girl, ring-bearer, and maid or matron of honor. Calming music chosen for this part of the ceremony can help keep a nervous wedding party from walking too quickly. When the aisle is clear and the wedding party is in place at the altar, the quartet gracefully ends the piece. When the bride and her escort are ready, the final processional begins! A special piece is played for the bride and her escort; ideal music for this much-anticipated part of the ceremony is exciting while helping provide a stately and elegant walking pace.
| Wedding Processional Favorites | Composer |
|---|---|
| Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring | Bach |
| Canon | Pachelbel |
| Bridal Chorus | Wagner |
| See Complete Music Library Alphabetized by Title |
PART III: THE CEREMONY: Peaceful Reflection
During some ceremonies one or two purely musical interludes are programmed, offering the couple and guests a moment of peaceful reflection on the merging of the two lives, and the blending of families. Although this has become less common in recent years, the joining is often symbolized with fire joining fire with a unity candle, or with sand or water pouring. Once combined, these materials aren't easily separated. In some cases, music should be omitted from this part of the ceremony — for instance if the officiant will be speaking during all phases of the unity ceremony. In other cases, after the speaking is completed, serene music can add to the symbolic merging without drawing attention away from the ideas being represented.
| Wedding Ceremony Favorites | Composer |
|---|---|
| Ave Verum | Mozart |
| Canon | Pachelbel |
| La Vie en Rose | Guglielmi |
| Ave Maria | Schubert |
| See Complete Music Library Alphabetized by Title |
PART IV: THE RECESSIONAL: Joyous Celebration of Love
At the conclusion of the ceremony, recessional music is played. The bride and groom leave the altar, followed by the wedding party and the families of the newlyweds. Recessional music is joyous, triumphant and adds to the celebratory mood that follows the ceremony.
| Wedding Recessional Favorites | Composer |
|---|---|
| Wedding March | Mendelssohn |
| Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, 1st movement | Mozart |
| Entrance of the Queen of Sheba | Handel |
| Hornpipe from “Water Music” | Handel |
| Rondeau from “Premiere Suite” | Mouret |
| Spring, from the Four Seasons | Vivaldi |
| The Rejoicing (La Rejouissance) from the Royal Fireworks Music | Handel |
| Trumpet Tune | Purcell |
| Trumpet Voluntary | Clark |
| See Complete Music Library Alphabetized by Title |
PART V: THE POSTLUDE: Joy and Happiness
After the newlyweds, the wedding party, and the parents of the newlyweds have exited, postlude music begins. Postlude music continues to play as guests leave the ceremony area. The music is joyous, and adds to the celebratory mood that follows the ceremony.
| Wedding Postlude Favorites | Composer |
|---|---|
| Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, 1st movement | Mozart |
| Entrance of the Queen of Sheba | Handel |
| Hornpipe from “Water Music” | Handel |
| Rondeau from “Premiere Suite” | Mouret |
| Spring, from the Four Seasons | Vivaldi |
| The Rejoicing (La Rejouissance) from the Royal Fireworks Music | Handel |
| Trumpet Tune | Purcell |
| Trumpet Voluntary | Clark |
| See Complete Music Library Alphabetized by Title |