For most couples musical entertainment starts at the ceremony.

“Live music in a ceremony is essential,” says Holly Pratt, harpist and director of Lyrica. For some people, the ceremony, even if they’re not having it in a religious sanctuary, they are still trying to get the sense that it is still sacred and live music really helps convey that.”

Linda Grieser, harpist and consultant for the Adagio Trio, agrees, “Having recorded music at a ceremony is not recommended. In fact, it’s very unusual.”

Selecting songs for your wedding reception is never an arduous task. Just pick out a few popular dance tracks and sing-a-longs, throw in a few classics that everyone loves, add the newest top-40 single and you're basically there.

Choosing the music for your ceremony, however, is a completely different story. Fortunately, you won't have to go it alone.

"It is important to trust the expertise of the musicians to help you plan what music is appropriate for the type of wedding you are having," Grieser says.The group that performs at your wedding ceremony can provide the best advice about which songs are most appropriate.

"Variables such as whether the wedding is inside or outside, in a particular church or synagogue, the type of musical group playing, or whether there is a blending of cultures, all affect the music selections," Grieser says.

As you work with live musicians to plan your ceremony soundtrack, beware of the guidelines set out by your venue. “In a religious sanctuary sometimes there are guidelines and rules that the musicians will need to be aware of,” Pratt says. “Within the Roman Catholic Church or within the Synagogue or within another religious sanctuary, we are very careful about what we choose.”

Most ensembles that perform at wedding ceremonies will provide demos or lists of music from which to choose. To help you get started, Grieser and the Adagio Trio offer this list of their most popular wedding day melodies.

Processionals

Cannon in D
Pachelbel

Trumpet Voluntary
Clarke

Te Deum Processional
Charpentier

Bridal Chorus
Wagner

Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Rachmaninoff

Recessionals

Wedding March from Lohengrin
Mendelssohn

Hornpipe from Water Music
Handel

Suites de Symphonies
Mouret

Jewish Ceremony Processionals

Erev Shel Shoshanim
Hadar

Erev Ba
Avissar

Dodi Li
Sher

Jewish Ceremony Recessionals

Dodi Li
Chen

Siman Tov
Traditional

Christian Ceremonies

Jesus Joy of Man's Desiring
J.S. Bach

In This Very Room
Harris

The Prayer
Sager and Foster