Top 10 Classical Pieces Perfect for your Wedding Ceremony

When it comes to your wedding, every detail counts, especially when choosing the music that helps set the mood and vibe for your ceremony. This blog post focuses on what music might be ideal for Classical music lovers. Classical music isn’t for everyone, and that’s ok! Check our other posts for more about pop recommendations for your ceremony.

Classical music is an ideal choice for creating an elegant and timeless atmosphere. It’s a popular option for couples. If you’re looking to hire a string quartet, string trio, violin and cello duo or a violinist, cellist or pianist for your wedding ceremony, we’ve compiled a list of what we believe are the best classical pieces for your wedding ceremony.

Whether you’re aiming for a romantic vibe or an upbeat one, String Musicians London can assist you in selecting the best Classical pieces for your ceremony. In the end we believe it’s all about your ideas and favourite music though, which is why Your Vision, Our Strings rings true!

1. Pachelbel – Canon in D

This is one of our most popular requests for bridal entrances. It’s such a famous, timeless piece! It’s romantic, joyful, and regal. When played by a string quartet, the harmonies are rich and lush. It also sounds stunning when performed by a trio or duo. It’s one of those complex pieces of music that doesn’t work well for a solo instrument, though. If you want to book a solo violinist for your ceremony to perform Canon in D without the bass-line or harmony, we recommend inquiring if you can hire the violinist with backing tracks (which provide the harmony whilst the violinist plays on top of the track). I’ve put a link to our string trio performing Canon in D at the bottom of this post.

2. Beethoven – Ode to Joy (from Symphony No. 9)

Another joyful piece of music! Also very dramatic. Beethoven’s Ode to Joy is instantly recognisable. As well as being great for the entrance, it’s also perfect for the recessional. It works well for any string ensemble or combination – whether you hire a string quartet or solo violinist.

3. Mendelssohn – Wedding March

Everyone knows this one! Mendelssohn’s Wedding March is best suited for the triumphant exit from your wedding ceremony, as you walk back down the aisle as a married couple. When performed by strings, this grand piece adds a beautiful and memorable ending to your wedding. It’s a highly requested option for couples who want a traditional touch.

4. Vivaldi – Four Seasons: Spring

Vivaldi’s Spring from The Four Seasons is a beautiful choice. It’s lively, bright and exciting. And originally composed for strings, too, making it the ideal choice if you’re planning to hire strings for your ceremony! It’s still super popular after hundreds of years. You might have heard of Spring Recomposed by Max Richter – our string ensembles can perform this unique take of Vivaldi’s Spring for your wedding ceremony, too!

5. Bach – Air on the G String

Calm and graceful. Bach’s Air on the G String is ideal for perhaps the signing of the registry, a quieter, more reflective moment during your ceremony. Another piece of music originally composed for strings. It’s perfect if you want to hire a string quartet, string trio, violin and cello duo or violinist for your wedding.

6. Schubert – Ave Maria

Schubert’s Ave Maria is a moving piece of music. It’s a lovely choice of music if you’re having a ceremony in a church. Whether it’s performed by a solo violinist or by a string quartet, this piece is perfect for reflective moments during the proceedings or for the entrance. If you wish to hire strings for emotional impact, this piece will be stunning.

7. Elgar – Salut d’Amour

Elgar’s Salut d’Amour is one of our favourites! It’s very tender and romantic, and Elgar originally composed this piece for his wife-to-be as an engagement present. In its original form it was written for violin and piano, and it suits all kinds of string ensembles, whether arranged for string quartet or string duo. The melody is beautiful, and will serve you well for your bridal entrance or during the signing.

8. Handel – Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

We love this piece for the exit music! Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by Handel is impressive and lively. Hiring strings to perform this piece will lend an air of drama and joy to your ceremony.

9. Bach – Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

This one is a favorite of Classical music lovers. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring is gentle and flowing and perfect for more reflective moments like during your signing, or for Communion if you’re having a church wedding. Whether you’re planning to hire a string quartet, trio, duo or solo violinist, this piece will be a highlight.

10. Saint-Saëns – The Swan (from Carnival of the Animals)

Saint-Saëns’ The Swan is of course my personal favourite from this list, being a cellist! It’s a graceful, hauntingly beautiful piece of music, and makes quite an impact for the bride’s entrance! You could also hire musicians to play it for the signing of the registry or for another reflective moment during your ceremony. It’s quite a statement piece! We have arrangements of this piece for string quartet, string trio and violin and cello duo (and also ensembles with piano). The cellist will play the melody in all cases, of course 😉 If you want to hire a solo cellist or solo violinist to perform this too, you can!

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Why Hire String Musicians London for Your Wedding Ceremony?

Classical music performed by a live string quartet or string ensemble will leave a lasting impact on you and your guests. Hiring professional string players from String Musicians London means we can help you tailor your wedding music to your personal tastes – Your Vision, Our Strings!

Check out our full repertoire list! And let’s chat – can’t wait to hear from you and perform your favourite Classical string music for your wedding day!