Prelude/Postlude

The purpose of the prelude music is to welcome guests as they are being seated before the ceremony.It also should give a cheerful yet subdued atmosphere, setting the stage for the solemnity of the event. The prelude generally begins 15 to 20 minutes before the ceremony start time, and it often involves quite a few songs. Because of this, it’s best to give the musician(s) an idea of the genre of music you want and leave the individual song choices up to their discretion. Popular genre choices include Classical, Love Songs, Jazz, and Broadway, and these genres can be mixed together within the prelude to suit your taste. Each of these genres has sub-categories (Baroque or Romantic Classical music, old or new love songs, etc.), but it’s safe to leave those choices up to the musicians unless you have strong feelings one way or another.  Postlude music, is much like prelude music, but is used as the the wedding party and guests are leaving.

Baroque Composers 

Bach, J.S. Air on G

                 Arioso
                 Brandenbrg Concerto No.3
                  I. Allegro
                  II. Agagio
                 III. Allegro
                 Bist du Bei Mir
                 My Heart Ever Faithful
                 Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
                 Wachet Auf "Sleepers Wake"
Clarke, J. Trumpet Voluntary
Campara, A. Rigaudon
Charptentier, M. Te Deum-Tu Devicto
Handel, G.F. Aria from “Xerxes”
                 Entrance of the Queen Sheba
                 La Rejouissance
                Water Music Suite
                 I. Air
                II. Bouree
                III. Hornpipe
                IV. Finale
Mouret, J. J. Rondeau

Pachelbel, J Canon in D
Purcell, H. Trumpet Tune
Vivaldi, A. Winter

Classical Era (1750-1825) 

Mozart, W. A. Alleluja-“Exultate Jubilate”
                 Andante”-Piano Concerto No. 21
                 Eine Kleine Nachmusik
                  I. Allegro
                  II. Romanza
                  III. Menuetto
                  IV. Rondo 

Beethoven, L. Adagio-Pathetique Piano Sonata
                  Ode to Joy
Gluck, Minuet

Romantic Era (1825-1900)

Brahms, J. Theme from 1st Symphony
Borodin, A. Nocturne
Chopin, F. Prelude Op. 28, No. 4
                   "Raindrops" Prelude Op. 28, No. 15
Faure, G.   Pavane
Franck, C. Panis Angelicus
Gounod-Bach Ave Maria
Kenny G.  The Wedding Song
Liszt, F.     "Love Dream" Liebestraum
Massanet, J. Meditation of Thais
Mendelssohn, F. If With All You Hearts
Schubert, F. Ave Maria
Schumann, R. Traumeri
Tchaikovsky, P. Morning Prayer
                     Sleeping Beauty Waltz

***Any songs located in the Reception list can also be used as "prelude music"***