As a Finger Lakes pianist, I’m often asked to also play the piano for ceremonies. And I must say, I’m always honored. Clients can make custom song choices for their processionals and recessional. For the recessional, I suggest something fun, upbeat and celebratory like You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) which works really well on the piano.
The music I play for ceremonies can vary depending on the type of wedding. Everyone knows the traditional wedding music like Here Comes the Bride but most couples prefer alternative choices. For instance, I’ve been asked to play Beatles songs, Stevie Wonder and even the theme song to Forest Gump (which can work well!).
For ceremonies I play for guest seating for about a half hour or so, usually a mix of classical piano music, Beatles and classic love songs interpreted softly for the piano. I then play the couple’s requests for the processionals, recessional music and any special songs for the ceremony if needed. I can also cue original recordings of songs for the processionals and/or recessional if desired.
If you visit the DJ Intelligence music database, you’ll see a section called “Most Requested” which has lists of popular choices for ceremony music. In addition, here are some ideas that can work well on piano for ceremonies and guest seating:
Classical:
Bach Minuet in G Major
Assorted Chopin Waltzes
Pachabel’s Canon
Nessun Dorma
Bach Air on G String
Bach Prelude in C maj WTC
Bach Magdalena notebook
Claire de Lune – Debussy
Four Seasons – Spring
Bach Cello Suite in G Major, 1st mvmnt
Fur Elise
Turkish Rondo – Mozart
Mozart Minuets
Mozart Sonata in A Maj
My Heart Ever Faithful – Bach
Bach – Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Rachmaninoff – Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini – 18th Variation
Scott Joplin: Bethena, Solace
Beatles:
All My Loving
In My Life
And I Love Her
If I Fell
I’ll Follow the Sun
Girl
It’s Only Love
I’ve Just Seen a Face
Across the Universe
Mother Nature’s Son
All You Need is Love (recessional or processional)
Something
I Will
Here Comes the Sun
I Get By with a Little Help From My Friends (recessional or processional)
And many others…
Pop and Standards:
Tom Petty – Wildflowers
1000 years – Christina Perri
Marry Me – Train
God Only Knows
Imagine – John Lennon
I Choose You – Sara Bareilles
Fire and Rain
You’ve Got a Friend
All of Me – John Legend
Don’t Know Why – Norah Jones
The Prayer
Prelude to a Kiss (Duke)
I Loves You Porgy
Summertime
Moon River
You Are My Sunshine
Here There Everywhere
Pure Imagination
Blue Moon
When I Fall in Love
Someone to Watch Over Me
Can’t Help Falling in Love
Love Me Tender
Someday my Prince Will Come
Somewhere over the Rainbow
Purple Rain
She’s Always a Woman
Made You Feel My Love
Grow Old With You
Rainbow Connection
You Are the Best Thing (recessional)
This Will Be an Everlasting Love (recessional)
Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars (recessional)
Beautiful Day – U2 (recessional)
I Believe (When I Fall In Love)
Ribbon in the Sky
I Wanna Grow Old With You (The Wedding Singer)
Theme from Forrest Gump
Theme from Somewhere in Time
Theme from An Affair to Remember
Various Disney Love Songs: Beauty and the Beast, A Whole New World etc
…and other Movie Themes can be fun.
