A wedding is an occasion of immense spiritual significance, and from antiquity classical music has accompanied the service because its aesthetic refinement symbolises the purity of sensibility and emotion involved.

Jane, Emily and Leo's longstanding experience not only furnishes us with performance élan, but with discretionary qualities of timing and subtlety that are especially vital within the delicate dynamic of a service.

Mostly, clients leave music selection to our discretion. However if you have requests or are unsure about appropriate music for your ceremony, then let us take your hand and together we will prepare music that best reflects your personal commitment in a meaningful way.

A Protestant or Civil service usually equates to a booking of one hour and presents five musical opportunities; Guests Arrive, Processional, Signing of the Register, Recessional, and Guests Leave.

A Catholic or Orthodox service usually equates to a booking of one and a quarter hours and presents seven musical opportunities; Guests Arrive, Processional, Offertory, Communion, Signing of the Register, Recessional, and Guests Leave.

The prudent bride or groom will consider booking us for an extra 15 minutes in case the service runs overtime.

These booking times cover the service nicely by providing music for about fifteen minutes pre-ceremony and five minutes post-ceremony. Our booking time should start 15 minutes before the processional starts. For example, if the processional starts at 2pm then we should be booked from 1:45 - 2:45pm.

Below is a selection of appropriate pieces listed in general descending order of popularity, this is not a reflection of each pieces' musical merit but is simply a matter of tradition or taste.

Processional

J. Pachelbel - Canon
R. Wagner - Bridal March from Lohengrin
L. Delibes - Flower Duet from Lakme
J. Clarke - Trumpet Voluntary
E. Morricone - Gabriel’s Oboe

Signing

J.S. Bach - Air from orchestral suite in D Major; Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring
F. Schubert - Ave Maria
C. Franck - Panis Angelicus
P. Mascagni - Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana

Recessional

F. Mendelssohn - Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
G. Handel - Hornpipe from Water Music; Rejouissance from Royal Fireworks Music; Arrival of the Queen of Sheba from Xadok the Priest
J. Clarke - Trumpet Voluntary
L. Beethoven - Ode to Joy from Symphony no 9

The duration of each piece is not a concern when planning your service. Most pieces are from three to five minutes long and thus fit well within each section. Also most classical music contains repeats or recurring phrases which sound excellent if attenuated at a cadence point. For example Pachelbel's Canon is based on a cyclical baseline which means we will always time your Processional to perfection! There is no input needed from you on the day. We take our cues directly or by liaising with the Priest or Celebrant prior to the ceremony.

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