Choosing music for your ceremony

With the proliferation of wedding music CD's now available, not to mention easily accessible midi files available on the internet, there is no excuse for lacking inspiration for your choice of wedding music.

Consider the atmosphere you are aiming to create with each piece of music; stately and regal for the entrance of the bridal party, meaningful and romantic during the signing of the register, triumphant and joyful for the recessional.

There are a number of pieces associated with weddings, which instantly evoke the right atmosphere, but don't be afraid to choose something different that really means something to you as a couple.

Remember that for a civil ceremony your music cannot have any religious connection.

Before the Service: Either a harp, string quartet or pre-recorded “piped” music.

During the signing of the Register: Piped music is the usual option. Choose a song that is meaningful to you both.

Alternatively a harp or soloist would be great, but be careful in small venues that the “background” music isn’t too loud.

If you are having a Civil Ceremony it can be a challenge to find a meaningful piece of music that doesn't have religious content. Look to instrumental versions of film soundtracks for some great classics that all your guests will recognise:

• Armageddon - Aerosmith's "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing"
• Batman - Seal's "Kiss From A Rose"
• Dirty Dancing - "The Time of My Life"
• Four Weddings & A Funeral - Wet Wet Wet's "Love Is All Around"
• Grease - "Hopelessly Devoted To You"
• Pulp Fiction - Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell"
• Robin Hood - Bryan Adams's "Everything I Do, I Do it for You"
• Titanic - "My Heart Will Go On"
• Top Gun - "Take My Breath Away"
• When Harry Met Sally - "It Had To Be You"
• The theme tunes from Braveheart, Love Story or The Never Ending Story