We provide music for over 50 weddings per year and a lot of our pre-wedding work is done preparing beautiful songs for the ceremony. It is also an area that as a couple, you may not have really thought about before, because if you've never been married before- why would you? With this in mind, we have put together a guide to the ceremony and some song ideas!
When can you have music in your ceremony?
It is an individual choice, some people choose to have music and some do not. Some people like live music whilst others prefer recorded music, often played by the venue. We can offer both.
Typically, you would have a special song as you walk in, two for signing the register and then one to walk out to. We often provide live music for the walk-in, usually a special song with a sentimental meaning, either on piano or with vocals. We would then offer two songs for signing the register which usually takes around 5-10 minutes and then a song to walk out to. People often choose an upbeat song to walk out to as everyone is in celebratory mood, and this can either be live or a pre-recorded popular song.
At Pop up Piano, we also offer instrumental music for 20 minutes before the ceremony starts. We offer this because people love to have some music to set the tone as guests arrive and take their seats. It helps to relax guests and often the waiting groom! The registrars also like it because it makes their job easier, with people usually staying calm and seated.
What songs suit the walk in?
Again this is a personal choice, but we would suggest really thinking this one through as it is a big moment. It is best to go for something quite emotive and slow as it can often take a while for the wedding party to make their way down the aisle, ready for the all important bride. In our pre-wedding consultation we will take you through all the options and offer suggestions.
Usually the best choice is a song with meaning and one that means something to you. Most people have an idea of what they like, but it can be hard to pick, so we have made a list of some of our favourites below:
Our Top 10 songs to walk in to
Perfect - Ed Sheeran
Canon in D - Classical
Marry You - Bruno Mars
All of Me - John Legend
Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
Blowers Daughter - Damien Rice
This Years Love - David Gray
Something - The Beatles
Marry Me - Train
Pointless - Lewis Capaldi
Some leftfield suggestions we have played in the past: I Love You But I Don't Know What To Say - Ryan Adams, Dustland Fairytale - The Killers, Goodbye Kiss - Kasabian, Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division, Only You - Yazoo, Lovesong - Adele, Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum, The Addams Family, Overjoyed - Bastille, Hold Back The River - James Bay. Brick - Ben Folds, Prettiest Eyes - The Beautiful South.
Music for signing the register
This can be a tricky one to navigate because often one song is enough, but we always have two prepared just in case. There is no real rule to this one - anything goes, and we have played a wide array of genres and styles in the past.
The benefit of having songs during the signing is that it keeps people entertained whilst you carry out the formalities and it's also a good opportunity to further show off your personality and pick something a bit different that may not have suited the walk in part of the ceremony.
Our Top 10 songs for signing the register
How Would You Feel - Ed Sheeran
Your Song - Elton John
Drops of Jupiter - Train
Human - The Killers
Piano Man - Billy Joel
She's Always A Woman - Billy Joel
Theme from Love Actually (Glasgow Love Theme)
Butterfly Waltz
She's The One - Robbie Williams
Somewhere Only We Know - Keane
Some leftfield suggestions we have played in the past: Warmness of the soul - Staind, Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana, Dancing Queen - Abba, The Jurrassic Park Theme, Landed - Ben Folds.
What songs for walking out?
Walking out of your ceremony, you will feel elated, relieved and excited for the day ahead and you'll want your music choice to reflect that. Why not choose something uplifting and positive to get the party started for the rest of the day? You could go vintage with something by Stevie Wonder or bang up to date with a Coldplay or Taylor Swift tune!
This section is fun for our pianist to play and also fun for the guests in the audience as they clap and cheer you out. We are happy to play this live or through our sound system from the original track - it's up to you!
Our Top 10 songs to walk out to
All You Need is Love - The Beatles
It Must Be Love - Madness
You've Got The Love - Florence And The Machine
Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder
How Sweet It Is To Be Love By You - James Taylor
Sky Full of Stars - Coldplay
Friday I'm in Love - The Cure (perfect for a Friday wedding!)
Rolling in The Deep - Adele
Come and Get Your Love - Redbone
You To Me Are Everything - The Real Thing
Some leftfield suggestions we have played in the past: Help - The Beatles, Love Me Do - The Beatles, Gimmie Shelter - The Rolling Stones, Mr Brightside - The Killers, I'm Too Sexy - Right Said Fred, Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis.
Our ceremony packages start at £300 with the Grand Piano Shell as an optional extra.
Elliot Porter - Pop up Piano
Happy planning!
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