10 Beautiful Wedding Piano Pieces
When you’re planning your wedding, the selection of music available to you can leave you feeling overwhelmed. There is so much to choose from and you worry that you won’t pick the perfect repertoire for your ceremony. You ask yourself questions like, ‘What will I pick for my entrance song?’ or ‘What works well for the signing of the register?’. You wonder ‘Where do I begin choosing the music that is right for my ceremony?’.
In order to help you out of this dilemma, this article is here to discuss ten of the most beautiful pieces of music available to you. These are considered failsafe pieces which will, at the very least, provide you with good ideas.
If you have any other song suggestions, please join in the discussion below and let me know what you think is a good musical idea.
1. Pachelbel’s Canon.
Also known as Canon in D, this timeless piece of music comes from the late 17th century. It is based on a simple chord progression (which bears resemblance to the structure of many pop songs today) and is extremely well suited to a bride walking down the aisle. This is due to its slow tempo, nostalgic tones and instantly-recognisable melody. Sure, many think it’s a bit overdone at weddings, but this is because it has been chosen time and again for it’s elegance. It doesn’t ever get old and it’s a highly appropriate choice if you’re looking for the perfect piece to kickstart your amazing day.
Other similar suggestions for entrance/recessional: Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring & Prince Of Denmark’s March.
2. She Moved Through The Fair
Aside from the gorgeous lyrics in this song, what actually makes this haunting is the key or tone of the music. It is in the unusual Mixolydian mode which gives it an ancient sound similar to that of Celtic and Eastern European music. This works wonderfully as a tie-over piece during a wedding ceremony where candles are being lit or where the next part of the ceremony (such as reciting the vows) is about to get underway.
Other similar suggestions: Spancil Hill, Will Ye Go Lassie Go, The Lonesome Boatman & Scarborough Fair.
3. Bulletproof Picasso
From the same guys who gave us Drops Of Jupiter, this is a fantastic piece for the signing of the register because it harks of excitement and promise. It’s fast, catchy and arouses your guests’ attention while you’re busy signing your papers. There is a wealth of music in this vein to choose from.
4. I See Fire
In recent years, Ed Sheeran has given us quite an array of really good quality songs. This one demonstrates his phenomenal ability to craft an instantly canonical melody which, in this case, was used as the accompanying song for the film The Desolation Of Smaug. It seems to draw its melodic inspiration from old Irish airs. It can be used as a showpiece to settle your guests down before the actual ceremony.
5. Theme From New York, New York
You may like to consider a little Sinatra at your wedding to give it that playful edge. Sinatra’s music checks a variety of categories; from Easy Listening to Big Band Swing. This little gem, from the 1977 film of aforementioned title, is an immensely well-known piece of music. Again, it can be used for a variety of different parts of your wedding ceremony and can only go down a treat on the day!
Other similar suggestions: Moon River, Somethin’ Stupid, Stangers In The Night.
6. Greatest Day
This song by Take That was number one in the UK charts and number two in the Irish charts in the late noughties. With a steady pulse and colourful structure, it makes for an exciting entrance piece should you wish to go down the route of a good ol’ pop song for your ceremony. It is extremely apt.
Other similar suggestions: Rule The World, Patience, These Days.
7. Le Onde
Ludovico Einaudi has become the epitome of cyclical, mesmerising, minimalist music on piano. He has a wide selection of music to choose from and his music is universally appropriate to most parts of a wedding ceremony. Le Onde, meaning ‘The Waves’ in English, is every bit as soothing as its translation might suggest.
Other similar suggestions: Primavera, I Giorni, Nuvole Bianche.
8. Blackbird
It’d be a shame to leave out the music of The Beatles on this list. Blackbird is one of their later pieces (1968) and is laden with beautiful harmonies and a friendly melody which works great as a transitional piece in your wedding ceremony. Paul McCartney was inspired by a J.S. Bach piece commonly performed on classical guitar when writing the music of this fantastic song, so this gives it a transient quality.
Other similar suggestions: Here Comes The Sun, Let It Be, All You Need Is Love
9. Interstellar
The music of Hans Zimmer permeates a lot of dramatic Hollywood creations such as Gladiator, The Dark Knight and Inception. His music is deep and would make a great addition to the ‘waiting around’ element of a wedding ceremony, before, during or after. The music of Interstellar matches the scope of the film’s premise and it sends shivers down spines.
10. Thousand Years
Thousand Years comes from The Twilight Saga film franchise and relates to many themes appropriate to a wedding ceremony such as love and timelessness. Because of the nimble tempo of this easy listening song, it suits a procession in a ceremony setting on piano instrumental. A great choice for a low-key wedding.
Other similar suggestions: Say Something, Thinking Out Loud & All Of Me.
