When planning a wedding, the dress is often one of the first details to take shape. From there, everything else begins to follow, including the music.
Wedding music doesn’t always come to mind right away, but it plays a central role in how the moment unfolds, especially during the ceremony.
Imagine the details, and the music that might go with them.
The Formal Bride
A structured silhouette, often with a longer train, in a traditional or formal setting.
- Song: Canon in D — Johann Pachelbel
- Chicago Venue: Fourth Presbytarian Church
- Design Elements: white florals, structured arrangements, candlelight, aisle symmetry
- Mood: composed, timeless
- Works well for: processional
- Ensemble: string quartet
For couples drawn to timeless ceremony music:
→ Classical & Ceremony Favorites
The Playful Bride
A shorter wedding dress with soft structure and movement, set along a garden aisle in warm evening light.
- Song: Here Comes the Sun — The Beatles
- Chicago Venue: Chicago Botanic Garden
- Design Elements: soft pink florals, loose arrangements, natural wood, sunlight
- Mood: light, relaxed
- Works well for: processional or recessional
- Ensemble: string trio or quartet
For a more contemporary feel:
→ Pop & Rock for Strings
The Romantic Bride
A flowing silhouette with softer fabrics, often set in a garden or natural setting with gentle movement in the dress.
- Song: Clair de Lune — Claude Debussy
- Chicago Venue: Garfield Park Conservatory
- Design Elements: greenery, soft white florals, organic arrangements, natural light
- Mood: quiet, open
- Works well for: processional or prelude
- Ensemble: string trio or quartet
The Minimal Bride
Clean lines, satin or silk, minimal detailing. Often paired with modern or architectural spaces.
- Song: La Vie en rose
- Chicago Venue: The Rookery
- Design Elements: neutral palette, clean lines, minimal florals, sculptural elements
- Mood: focused, understated
- Works well for: processional
- Ensemble: string duo or trio
For a look that feels both classic and romantic:
→ Vintage & Timeless Selections
The Statement Bride
A fuller silhouette, dramatic scale, or couture elements that stand out immediately.
- Song: Bittersweet Symphony — The Verve
- Chicago Venue: The Armour House
- Design Elements: large-scale florals, dramatic lighting, long aisle, bold contrasts
- Mood: expansive, cinematic
- Works well for: processional or recessional
- Ensemble: string quartet
There isn’t one way to choose wedding music, and it doesn’t have to follow a set formula.
Some choices feel more classic, others a little more unexpected. Whether it’s a traditional processional or a favorite song arranged for strings, it usually comes back to your overall style.
What feels like you, and what do you hear as you walk down the aisle?
If one of these ideas feels close to what you’re imagining, you can explore our full repertoire of wedding and ceremony music here: