Weddings

MUSIC FOR YOUR WEDDING

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and the inclusion of music in your ceremony is guaranteed to make it a truly memorable occasion.

Classical Encounters can provide organists, solo singers and duos, plus a choir of four to six professional singers to lead the singing of the hymns and ensure that the church is filled with music.

Trumpeters, String Quartets & Harpists

A trumpeter is a popular choice to play fanfares and voluntaries at the arrival of the bride, or to accompany the soprano soloist in Handel’s famous Let The Bright Seraphim during the signing of the register. We can also arrange string quartets and harpists to play at the church or reception to make your special day complete.

Trumpet Voluntary - G F Handel - PLAY

MUSIC FOR CHURCH WEDDINGS

Most churches have a working organ, and Classical Encounters can provide you with a professional organist, whose services will ensure a high musical standard during the ceremony, leading the hymns and accompanying any soloists you may wish to engage. The organist will play music as your guests arrive at the church, play your chosen piece for the arrival of the bride, accompany the hymns and solo performers during the signing of the register, and play for the procession of the bridal party as they exit the church.

The services of an accomplished, professional organist can really enhance the smooth running of a church ceremony, as many local organists are not experienced in playing the instrument to its full potential. (In some cases, the church may still charge you for the services of their organist, even if you choose to engage your own). If no organ is available, Classical Encounters can provide a digital keyboard which can be played either as a piano or organ. All Classical Encounters’ singers and instrumentalists have performed with the national or London-based opera companies and orchestras, so you can be sure of a professional performance.

MUSIC FOR YOUR CEREMONY

As a guide, some of the most frequently requested pieces of music for weddings are listed below, but please feel free to offer your own suggestions and special requests.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE BRIDE

Bridal Chorus - Lohengrin - Wagner
(organ alone, or the original choral version with vocal ensemble)

Trumpet Voluntary - Clarke
(organ alone or with trumpet soloist) - PLAY

Trumpet Tune - Purcell
(organ alone or with trumpet soloist) - PLAY

HYMNS

Praise My Soul The King of Heaven

The Lord is My Shepherd

Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Dear Lord and Father of Mankind

All Things Bright And Beautiful

MUSIC DURING THE SIGNING OF THE REGISTER

Ave Maria - Bach/Gounod (soprano or baritone soloist) - PLAY

Ave Maria - Schubert (soprano or baritone soloist) - PLAY

Panis Angelicus - César Franck (soprano soloist / soprano and mezzo duet / soprano and baritone duet) - PLAY

Alleluja - Exsultate Jubilate - Mozart (soprano soloist)

Amazing Grace - Traditional (soprano soloist) - PLAY

Pie Jesu - Lloyd Webber (soprano soloist) - PLAY

Laudate Dominum - Vespers K339 - Mozart (soprano soloist / soprano and choir)

Let The Bright Seraphim - Samson - Handel (soprano soloist / soprano and trumpet) - PLAY

The Holy City - Stephen Adams (soprano / baritone soloist)

The Lord’s Prayer - Malotte (soprano / baritone soloist)

Ombra Mai Fu - Xerxes - Handel (soprano / baritone soloist)

The Easter Hymn - Cavalleria Rusticana - Mascagni (soprano soloist / soprano and choir)

Ave Verum - Mozart (choir)

God Be In My Head - Walford Davies (soprano soloist / choir)

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring - Cantata No.147 - JS Bach (choir)

Cantique de Jean Racine - Fauré (choir)

Dôme Épais - Lakmé - Délibes (The Flower Duet for soprano and mezzo) - PLAY

Au Fond du Temple Saint - Les Pêcheurs des Perles - Bizet (The Pearl Fishers’ Duet for tenor and baritone)

 

MUSIC FOR THE BRIDAL PROCESSION

Toccata - Symphony No. 5 - Widor

Wedding March - A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Mendelssohn

March Triomphale : Nun danket alle Gott - Karg-Elert

MUSIC FOR CIVIL CEREMONIES

Religious music and readings are not allowed to be performed at civil ceremonies, but the bridal couple are free to choose any other kind of music, poetry and prose. Unlike a church service, civil ceremonies tend to be more relaxed in style and offer the bride and groom the option of tailoring the proceedings to their own taste.

Below are some of the most frequently requested pieces, but again, please feel free to contact us with your requests.

Dôme Épais - Lakmé - Délibes
(The Flower Duet for soprano and mezzo) - PLAY

Barcarolle - The Tales of Hoffmann - Offenbach
(duet for soprano and mezzo) - PLAY

Au Fond du Temple Saint - Les Pêcheurs des Perles - Bizet
(The Pearl Fishers’ Duet for tenor and baritone)

O Mio Babbino Caro - Gianni Schicchi - Puccini
(Oh My Beloved Father - soprano soloist) - PLAY

Song To The Moon - Rusalka - Dvorak (soprano soloist)

Nella Fantasia - Ennio Morricone
(as sung by Il Divo - soprano or baritone soloist / duet) - PLAY

Time To Say Goodbye - Sartori (as sung by Sarah Brightman & Andrea Boccelli - soprano / soprano and tenor duet) - PLAY

The Rose - (as sung by Bette Midler - soprano or baritone soloist)

MUSIC FOR YOUR RECEPTION

On arrival at the wedding reception, guests may have to wait some time while they have drinks and are presented to the bridal couple and their families. A string quartet , pianist or harpist playing a mixture of classical and popular music in the background can really set the scene and add to the atmosphere of the occasion. You may also have music played during the wedding breakfast, or you may choose to serenade your guests with live opera singers performing amongst the tables. The choice is yours.

Email us for a no obligation price-list, or to discuss your requirements, and we will be happy to tailor-make a package of music to suit both your chosen style of ceremony and budget.