Music & Civil Ceremonies

Civil Ceremonies and music for civil ceremonies have gradually changed over the time we’ve been playing.

More people are getting married on days other than Saturday and the reason for this is quite understandable. It is often possible to get discounts for Fridays and Sundays when wedding venues are less busy and would like to attract some extra business.

Also, it is now possible to marry in many more places as venues licensed for civil ceremonies continue to grow in number.

Furthermore, weddings today take place more throughout the year as opposed to the traditional summer months. We find that we are requested to play in February and November as well as May and June. Of course the cost may be less when booked off peak season.

The choice of wedding music has also changed. The traditional “here comes the bride” is often replaced by requests for other classical pieces and favourite contemporary pieces that mean something special to the wedding couple.

Music Choices for Civil Ceremonies

Basically, you can have any piece of music you like as long as it does not have a religious connection (this applies to civil ceremonies in England).

This means that pieces like Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring and Ave Maria are not allowed in a civil wedding ceremony in England. Check with your local registrar for details of regulations in your area.

However, if you have live music such as a harpist or pianist or flute and guitarist, the musicians will be able to give you a good idea of what is acceptable, and pieces that are appropriate for the venue and music that is suitable for the intrument(s).

Here is a selection of music suitable for civil ceremonies.

Free Demonstration CD

Carillon Flute & Guitar Duo

Music for civil ceremonies demonstration CD is available on request.

Please follow the title link above.

Music for Civil Wedding Ceremonies

The following pieces are our most requested for civil ceremonies and church weddings. However, when choosing music for civil weddings, any piece may be chosen from our repertoire list for a civil ceremony if the piece has no religious connection.

Bride’s Entrance

Cannon in D – Pachelbel

The Wedding March - Wagner
(Here Comes The Bride)

Air (The Water Music) – Handel

Sonata Theme – Mozart

Plasir d’Amour - Traditional

Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring* - Bach

Scarborough Fair - Traditional

Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison

True Love - Cole Porter

Signing The Register

Little Dance – Haydn

Aria - Handel

Minuet – Bach

Recuerdos de la Alhambra – Tarrega

Gymnopedie No.1 – Satie

Spanish Romance -Traditional

Cavatina - (The Deer Hunter) Myers

Ave Maria* - Gounod

Air On A G String - Bach

Greensleves - Tradition

Somewhere Over The Rainbow - (from Wizard of Oz)

Close To You - Carpenters

The Look Of Love - Bacharach/David

Wind Beneath My Wings -

Pelagias (Captain Corelli’s Mandolin)

Bride & Groom’s Exit

Wedding March - Mendelssohn

Alla Hornpipe (The Water Music) – Handel

On Wings Of Song - Mendelssohn

The Flower Duet – Delibes

It Had To Be You - Cole Porter

Love Changes Everything – Lloyd-Weber

My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder

Our Love Is Here To Stay -

I Get A Kick Out Of You -Cole Porter