Choosing wedding ceremony music can be overwhelming for some couples – today we are sharing the best guidance from six fabulous ceremony musicians with their top three pieces of advice…
Ryan O’Shaughnessy
Clara Hutchinson
Image: Touch Photography
My top 3 pieces of advice for planning wedding ceremony music is:
Shane & Aoife Hennessy
Image: Alex Zarodov at Ashley Park House
Choosing your ceremony music is such an exciting part of planning for your special day, and it provides a fantastic opportunity to personalise your ceremony and create memories you will treasure forever.
In choosing your ceremony music, we would recommend considering the following three points:
– Discuss ideas and options with your musicians, and chat through their experiences of what has worked well: Different moments in the ceremony will suit different types of music particularly well, and there are lots of considerations to placing your music to cater to these. For example, shorter moments may better suit instrumental pieces or shortened sections of a song. Different moods or tempi may suit certain sections more than others – we recommend an energetic and upbeat choice for the end of your ceremony (for example Mark Ambor’s ‘Belong Together’) as you have your first walk into married life together. A more reflective or sentimental song (for instance Pachelbel’s ‘Canon in D’) can accompany an entrance procession beautifully. Medleys or mash-ups of certain songs at the entrance procession are also very effective, but need consideration of timing and aisle length. Your musicians will be able to advise on their own experiences and with specific reference to your ideas, your ceremony, and your venue, and they are a valuable source of information as you curate your perfect ceremony song list.
– Discuss the placement of music with your celebrant as well: while crafting your ceremony, you and your celebrant will also chat through the placement of music, number of pieces, and types of pieces you will choose. For instance, placing music at enhancement moments (e.g. candle lighting, sand pouring, hand fasting) would also need to consider whether the celebrant will speak through these moments, or whether music would be placed before or after spoken aspects, to ensure all aspects can be heard clearly and have their full effect. The number of songs at the register signing might also consider whether there will be a pause at this moment for photographs or proceed directly into the next ceremony section. For religious ceremonies, there may be specific requirements around the inclusion of religious music at certain points, and it is always best to check in with your celebrant to ensure all of these requirements are met and planned for ahead of the day, to avoid any stress or last minute revisions.
– Choose songs that are special and unique to you and your journey together, and enjoy the process of exploring and choosing your song list: whether recalling a first date, a favourite film or a concert attended together, or paying tribute to a family member, songs can share significant meaning for couples and their families and guests, and including these songs is a lovely way to weave the thread of your story into the ceremony. The favourite songs of loved ones are always really special, accompanying moments like reflections or candle lighting. A song from a first date or your proposal can immediately evoke special memories, and is a lovely way to form a bridging after the celebrant shares your story. For those who love films and books for example, themes are a great way to bring this interest into your ceremony. We have found choices like Howard Shore’s ‘Concerning Hobbits’, from ‘Lord of the Rings’, and Michael Giacchino’s ‘Married Life’, from ‘Up’, have worked beautifully in so many ceremonies, but there are endless options here.
Working through ideas and choosing your song list is a really exciting and part of the busy planning journey to your special day, and we wish all reading the most fantastic wedding celebrations!
View Shane & Aoife’s Profile Here
Olivia Romeo
Image: Paul Callaghan
- Consider a ceremony musician’s social media pages to be their store front window. You’ll get a clear sense of not only their strengths but also what they choose not to post. Make sure to have a clear idea of someone’s abilities and iron out any special requests prior to booking to avoid disappointment.
- Let your ‘something borrowed’ be a song and surprise your parents and/or grandparents with a rendition of their wedding song.
- Trust your musicians ! Professional ceremony musicians have seen hundreds of weddings and usually know what works beautifully in real life — not just on TikTok. Be open to their suggestions on timing, acoustics, and arrangements , you never know , you might be delightfully surprised by their creativity, made custom for you!
Jenny Cullen Music
I’m Jenny Cullen from Music.com, 2026 Wedding Ceremony Music of the Year, and lead performer for the 2026 Wedding Band of the Year, Entourage Wedding Band — so I’ve been lucky enough to see wedding music from every angle, from the first note of the ceremony to the last song on the dance floor.
1. My Church & Civil Ceremony Tip
For a church wedding, remember it’s a Mass with a wedding included — not the other way around. Speak with your priest early, manage expectations, and choose music that suits the setting, with lovely opportunities often available for the entrance, signing, candle lighting, and exit.
For a civil ceremony, use the freedom to create something that feels like you. Work with your celebrant early to plan the key moments, then let music add emotion and flow rather than simply filling gaps.
2. Choose music that feels personal
The most memorable ceremonies feel authentic. Don’t dismiss songs from your dating journey because they don’t seem “ceremony appropriate.” Whether it’s a festival tune you both loved or an indie rock song from your early days, it’s my job to adapt it, soften it, pretty it up, and make it sit perfectly within your ceremony.
3: Turn your ceremony into a soundtrack for your day !
If you’re having a civil ceremony, use instrumental music where possible — especially with songs that are meaningful to you. Soft music under a reading, with the singer coming in gently as the reader returns to their seat, can create a gorgeous moment. With someone experienced, these musical layers can make the whole ceremony flow beautifully, almost like a movie soundtrack. It makes the ceremony fly by for your guests and keeps them entertained.
Wishing you the most magical wedding day, Jenny.
Astral String Quartet
Image: Fran Marshall
With over 20 years’ experience of playing together, The Astral String Quartet bring a unique chemistry and energy to every event. We’ve had the honour of performing at prestigious events and alongside headline acts, and each member brings an impressive background in performance, composition, education and arrangement.
Our connection, built over years of performing side-by-side, shines through in every note, creating an unforgettable experience.
- keep it simple.
- entrance piece that can fade out easily – not overly emotional so you can get up the aisle.
- give the musicians plenty of time if you want special arrangements of unusual pieces to avoid disappointment.
- relax and enjoy the music you both choose on the day.
- if you are working with our singer make sure the lyrics are appropriate for the setting- if not this easily rectified with an instrumental version.
- the music consultation will help you if you feel overwhelmed with options.
- use the repertoire list to guide you. You have one wedding but we have years of experience so you can harness this.
- enjoy the process of choosing your music.
