Classical Entrance Songs

1. The Canon by Pachelbel (the “Pachelbel Canon” to musicians)
   This can be played by a group of musicians, or a solo musician, but a canon is traditionally a “round”, like London’s Burning and Frere Jacques; it can stop at any moment, which is why it works so well as a Processional piece of music.
2. Trumpet Voluntary, by Jeremiah Clarke
   Started life as a piece for keyboard instruments and for many years was thought to be by Henry Purcell, doyen of English composers. Played at Charles and Diana’s wedding.
3. Ave Maria, by Schubert
   Check with your registrar before you use this, as music with religious connotations is not normally allowed at a civil ceremony – even if it is not sung!
4. Bridal Chorus, by Richard Wagner
   The traditional choice, which I am still asked to play a couple of times a year or so
5. Arabesque, by Claude Debussy
   Growing more popular – a more flowing piece for those who like music in the Clair de Lune vogue
6. This Chopin Nocturne
   A very melancholy choice, needing time to build
7. The Swan, by Saint-Saens
   Traditionally played by the cello, but lots of recordings at various paces now exist
8. Ave Maria, by Bach arranged by Gounod
   Bach’s Prelude in C (from the set of 48 he wrote), with a melody added by Gounod. See choice 3 above.
9. Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet, by Nino Rota
   Franco Zefferelli’s sixties film was such an enormous hit that this beautiful theme has stayed in the wedding top ten ever since.
10. Purcell’s Trumpet Tune
    Normally played on the church organ, but registrars would have no problem with it in a civil ceremony oo.
11. Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, by Handel
    Not many know who the Queen was, but almost everybody knows this tune!
12. Chanson de Matin, by Elgar
13. Jesu, Joy of Man Desiring, by J S Bach
14. Rondeau from Abdelazer by Henry Purcell
15. Air On the G String, from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068 by JS Bach
16. The Flower Duet from Lakmé by Léo Delibes

Recent Pop Songs

1. Christina Perri – A Thousand Years
2. Kelly Clarkson / Leona Lewis – A Moment Like This
3. BoyzIIMen – Amazed
4. Train – Marry Me
5. Luther Vandross – Endless Love
6. Beyonce – Halo
7. Elvis Costello – She
8. Sigur Ros – Hoppipolla
9. John Legend – All Of Me
10. Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud
11. Bruno Mars – Marry You
12. Keane / Lily Allen – Somewhere Only We Know
13. Taylor Swift – Love Story
14. Mumford and Sons – Sigh No More
15. Ellie Goulding – How Long Will I Love You
16. Tom Odell – Grow Old With Me
17. Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are
18. Rhianna – Stay
19. Charlie Puth – One Call Away
20. Ed Sheeran – Tenerife Sea
21. James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go
22. Jason Mraz – Love Someone
23. Ho Hey – The Lumineers
24. Coldplay – Sky Full Of Stars
25. Ben Howard – Only Love
26. Walk The Moon – Shut Up And Dance

Old favourites

1. Etta James – At Last
2. Lonestar – Amazed
3. Frank Sinatra – Moon River
4. Elton John – Your Song
5. Take That – Greatest Day
6. Westlife – You Raise Me Up
7. Jack Johnson – Better Together
8. Jose Gonzalez – Heartbeats
9. Adele – Make You Feel My Love
10. Shania Twain – From This Moment On
11. Savage Garden – I Knew I Loved You
12. Ronan Keating – This I Promise You
13. Phil Collins – Groovy Kind of Love
14. Craig Armstrong – Glasgow Love Theme (from Love Actually)
15. Take That – Rule The World
16. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross – Endless Love
17. Angry Anderson – Suddenly
18. Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight
19. Celine Dion – How Does A Moment Last Forever
20. Alison Kraus and Union Station – When You Say Nothing At All
21. Extreme – More Than Words
22. Nina Simone – Here Comes The Sun
23. Coldplay – Viva La Vida
24. Elbow – One Day Like This
25. Labrinth feat. Emeli Sande – Beneath Your Beautiful
26. Clean Bandit – Rather Be

Films

1. Beauty and the Beast – Tale As Old As Time
2. Robin Hood – Everything I Do (I Do It For You)
3. Ghost – Unchained Melody
4. Bodyguard – I Will Always Love You
5. Grease – Hopelessly Devoted To You
6. Top Gun – Take My Breath Away
7. Pinocchio – When You Wish Upon A Star
8. Cinderella – A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes
9. La La Land – City of Stars
10. West Side Story – One Hand, One Heart
11. The Godfather – Love Theme
12. Forrest Gump – Theme
13. Gabriel’s Oboe – Ennio Morricone

Classics

1. Over the Rainbow’ cover by Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole
2. Buddy Holly – Everyday
3. Elvis Presley – Can’t Help Falling In Love
4. The Beatles – All You Need Is Love
5. Elton John – Can You Feel The Love Tonight
6. Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah
7. Des’ree – Kissing You
8. Tony Bennett – The Way You Look Tonight
9. Andrew Lloyd Webber – All I Ask Of You (Phantom of the Opera)
10. Elvis Presley – Love Me Tender
11. Stevie Wonder – You and I
12. Madness – It Must Be Love
13. Seal – Kiss From A Rose
14. Nat ‘King’ Cole – When I Fall In Love
15. Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World
16. Nat ‘King’ Cole – L-O-V-E
17. Ray Charles – It Had To Be You
18. Wouldn’t It Be Nice – The Beach Boys
19. Stevie Wonder – Signed, Sealed, Delivered