The ceremony is the emotional heart of your wedding day. It’s the moment everything becomes real — and your music sets the tone for it all.
But with so many song options, genres, and moments to fill, where do you start?
Whether you know exactly what you want or have no idea where to begin, this guide will walk you through how to choose the right music for your wedding ceremony — from the first guest arrival to your walk back up the aisle as a married couple.
And the best part? With JAM Duo, you can choose any song you like — classical, pop, acoustic, alternative, or completely unexpected. We’ll arrange it for live piano and cello, and play it with the emotion it deserves.
🎵 The Ceremony Music Structure
A typical ceremony has four key musical moments. Here’s how they break down:
1. Guest Arrival
20–30 minutes of gentle, ambient music while guests are being seated.
What works here:
- Instrumental covers of romantic pop songs
- Classical favourites
- Movie or TV themes (Bridgerton is a hit right now)
This sets the tone and helps calm nerves — yours and theirs.
2. The Processional (Bridal Entrance)
This is your moment. All eyes are on you, the emotion is high, and the music you choose makes it unforgettable.
You can keep it traditional with something like Pachelbel’s Canon, or go for something modern and personal — we’ve performed everything from A Thousand Years to Shallow to Kiss From a Rose. Some couples even choose a completely unexpected track, and we make it beautiful.
💡 Tip: If you have bridesmaids walking ahead of you, you can either:
- Use the same song for everyone (we adjust the timing live)
- Choose separate songs (we’ll transition between them seamlessly)
- When you arrive at the front of the ceremony room the music will end perfectly at the right time. No fades. Just a properly put together musical ending right on cue.
3. Signing of the Register
While the legal bit happens, your guests are still seated. This is a good time for 1–2 quieter, reflective songs.
Popular choices:
- Perfect – Ed Sheeran
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow
- Your Song – Elton John
- Comptine d’un autre été – Yann Tiersen
This is often where couples choose something deeply personal or even a favourite that didn’t quite fit the walk-in or walk-out.
4. The Recessional (Exit)
You’re married! This is the celebratory moment — something upbeat, joyful, and full of energy.
Popular choices:
- You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates
- This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
- Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
We time everything live, so we match your pace and keep the energy flowing without awkward pauses or fade-outs.
💡 How Much Music Do You Need?
We’ll typically play:
- Around 5–6 pieces in total for a ceremony
- All songs are chosen by you — the couple
- If you’re unsure, we’ll help you build a list that feels just right
And yes — we can arrange any song you want, even if it’s not on our Listen page. That’s just for inspiration. Our full library has over 18,000 pieces, and we’re always adding more.
🎻 JAM Duo’s Approach to Ceremony Music
We don’t just show up and play a standard list. Here’s how we work:
✅ You choose the music — from full playlists to just a couple of must-haves
✅ We’ll guide you if you’re stuck or unsure what fits where
✅ We adapt everything live — speeding up, slowing down, or extending a piece based on the moment
✅ We’re discreet and professional — set up early, dressed smart, ready before your first guest arrives
✅ We work with your venue or planner to make everything seamless
🎧 Need Some Inspiration?
Start by asking:
- What songs mean something to you as a couple?
- Are there artists or genres you both love?
- Do you want to go traditional or unexpected?
Here are a few example entrance songs we’ve performed live:
- A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
- Make You Feel My Love – Adele
- Canon in D – Pachelbel
- River Flows in You – Yiruma
- Turning Page – Sleeping at Last
- First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes
And remember — if you’re not sure, we’re here to help you choose.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Your ceremony music sets the mood for your entire wedding day. Whether you want timeless classics, modern love songs, or something that makes guests smile with surprise, JAM Duo can make it happen — all performed live with piano and cello.
📩 Talk to us about your ceremony music
🎧 Listen to some examples
