15 Wedding Songs You Should Know For Piano
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One momentous rite of passage in a piano student’s musical journey is the first time they are invited to play for a wedding. In fact, this profound honor can be both exciting and terrifying. The immediate question that usually comes to mind is, “What should I play?” Well, in today’s Quick Tip, 15 Wedding Songs You Should Know for Piano, John Proulx covers fifteen staple weddings songs that are always in style. You’ll discover:
List of Must-Know Wedding Songs for Piano
Here is an at-a-glance view of John’s must-know wedding songs for piano, divided into three categories based on their musical genres. You can click directly on each song title to learn about the composer, date and other facts for each song. In addition, we’ve included a reference recording for each tune.
Classical
Contemporary
As you listen to each of these classic wedding tunes, perhaps you’ll find one that you’d like to learn on piano. At the conclusion of this lesson, we’ll link to PWJ resources where you can develop essential piano skills in each of these musical styles. Due to publisher’s restrictions, the lesson sheet PDF with the lead sheet excerpts that appear in John’s featured tutorial is available through our partners at MusicNotes.com.
Classical Piano Songs for Weddings
Wedding couples who want a traditional wedding ceremony often opt for classical music selections performed by a live pianist. Here is a list of five popular classical wedding songs that you can suggest.
#1: “Canon in D”
Composer: Johann Pachelbel
Date: 1680–1690
Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” is a popular program selection for traditional wedding ceremonies and frequently serves as a prelude or a processional for the entrance of the bridal party. Since the actual duration of the procession can vary, a wedding pianist typically improvises to some extent over the familiar Canon in D progression until all parties are in place.
Voices of Music
“Canon in D”
🌟 Learn to play Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” (Intermediate, Advanced) on piano.
#2: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Date: 1723
The lilting 9/8 meter of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” adds a stately and jubilant appeal to any traditional wedding. Even though this piece is often credited to J.S. Bach, the melody was composed by Johann Schop. Later, Bach harmonized and orchestrated the hymn as part of his 1723 cantata entitled Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147. In 1926, English pianist Myra Hess transcribed Bach’s arrangement for solo piano and gave it the English name “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”
Daniil Trifonov
“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”
#3: “Ave Maria”
Composer: Franz Schubert
Date: 1825
A popular program selection for Catholic weddings is to include “Ave Maria,” a sung version of The Hail Mary prayer in Latin. While there are many settings of this prayer, the most common version is adapted from Franz Schubert’s Ellens dritter Gesang (“Ellen’s Third Song”), which features a soaring vocal melody over a distinctive 12/8 accompaniment feel.
Aida Garifullian
“Ave Maria”
Is this not the “Ave Maria” you expected? Then check out Charles Gounod‘s version which features an accompaniment based on J.S. Bach’s Prelude in C, from The Well-Tempered Clavier, BWV 846.
#4: “The Bridal Chorus”
Composer: Richard Wagner
Date: 1850
A most traditional selection for the bridal procession is “The Bridal Chorus,” by Richard Wagner, from his 1850 opera entitled Lohengrin, WWV75. However, chances are, you simply call this song “Here Comes the Bride.” While the piece is commonly performed on organ, it also works on piano, especially when the melody is harmonized with blocked triads as John demonstrates in today’s featured Quick Tip tutorial.
Jonathan Scott
“Bridal Chorus” (Lohengrin, WWV 75)
#5: “The Wedding March”
Composer: Felix Mendelssohn
Date: 1842
A popular selection for the wedding recessional is Mendelssohn’s “The Wedding March,” which he composed in 1842 as incidental music for Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This celebratory piece opens with a dramatic fanfare based on a triplet-figure, which is typically performed by trumpets. However, as John demonstrates, this fanfare may be omitted.
London Symphony Orchestra
“Wedding March” from
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Contemporary Piano Songs for Weddings
Couples who want a more modern feel to their wedding ceremony typical opt for contemporary music—a broad musical classification which includes many subgenres, including New Age Music, Contemporary Folk Music and instrumental covers of pop songs. In this section, we’ll look at five contemporary weddings songs for piano which represent each of these subgenres.
#6: “River Flows in You”
Composer: Yiruma
Date: 2001
“River Flows in You” is the signature song of South Korean pianist and composer Yiruma, whose emotive piano style blends characteristics of classical, pop and film score genres. Writing for Classical FM, Maddy Shaw Roberts aptly described this popular selection as “the ‘Clair de lune’ of the 21st century.”¹
Yiruma
“River Flows in You”
#7: “A Thousand Years”
Songwriters: Christina Perri & David Hodges
Date: 2011
“A Thousand Years” is minimalistic contemporary ballad by American singer and songwriter Christina Perri. The gently flowing love song was featured in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Pt. 1.—the fourth film in The Twilight Saga series. The versatile song is well-suited for a number of wedding applications, including prelude, processional, postlude, dinner music or even a first dance.
Christina Perri
“A Thousand Years”
#8: “Can’t Help Falling In Love”
Songwriters: Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore & George David Weiss
Date: 1961
“Can’t Help Falling In Love” is an enduring love song of the 20th Century that was first recorded by American singer and actor Elvis Presley for the film Blue Hawaii. When performed on piano as an instrumental cover, the song evokes an elegant and nostalgic mood, making it a popular choice for wedding receptions.
Elvis Presley
“Can’t Help Falling In Love”
#9: “All of Me”
Songwriter: John Legend
Date: 2013
American singer, songwriter and pianist John Legend’s “All of Me” is an immensely popular piano ballad featuring a captivating melody that soars over a driving accompaniment. The song is suitable for wedding receptions during cocktails, dinner or as a first dance. In fact, the popular video closes with actual footage from Legend’s wedding to American model Chrissy Teigen.
John Legend
“All of Me”
#10: “Wonderful Tonight”
Songwriter: Eric Clapton
Date: 1976
Eric Clapton received his inspiration for “Wonderful Tonight” while waiting for his girlfriend and future wife Pattie Boyd to get ready for a night out back in 1976.² The beautiful and tender song remains a classic love ballad that you’ll want to include on your playlist at just about any wedding reception.
Eric Clapton
“Wonderful Tonight”
Jazz Piano Songs for Weddings
Jazz piano music helps to create an elegant atmosphere during the cocktail hour and dinner hour at a wedding reception. Therefore, if your invited to play piano for the reception, then you’ll want to include some popular jazz standards. Here are five jazz piano songs for your consideration.
#11: “At Last”
Songwriters: Mack Gordon and Harry Warren
Date: 1941
“At Last” was written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren in 1941 for the musical film Sun Valley Serenade. In 1960, R&B singer Etta James scored a crossover hit with “At Last,” which became her signature song. The bluesy slow jam holds a firmly established place in most wedding reception playlists.
Etta James
“At Last”
#12: “Unforgettable”
Songwriter: Irving Gordon
Date: 1951
“Unforgettable” was composed in 1951 by Irving Gordon and recorded in the same year by American singer, pianist and actor Nat King Cole. In 1991, his daughter Natalie Cole revived the song in a virtual duet with her father that won three Grammy Awards. The love song’s multi-generational history and simply-stated lyrics make it an elegant choice wedding receptions.
Nat King Cole
“Unforgettable”
#13: “The Way You Look Tonight”
Songwriters: Jerome Kern & Dorothy Fields
Date: 1936
“The Way You Look Tonight” was written in 1936 by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the film Swing Time. Frank Sinatra’s 1964 recording is a classic swing version to emulate. However, the tune can also be performed as a beautiful piano ballad for dinner music.
Frank Sinatra
“The Way You Look Tonight”
🌟 Learn to play “The Way You Look Tonight” (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) on piano.
#14: “What a Wonderful World”
Songwriters: Bob Thiele & George David Weiss
Date: 1967
“What a Wonderful World” is a pop standard written for Louis Armstrong in 1967 by George David Weiss & Bob Thiele. The song’s message is infused with so much joy that it can’t help but add the perfect touch to any wedding occasion.
Louis Armstrong
“What a Wonderful World”
🌟 Learn to play “What a Wonderful World” (Intermediate) on piano.
#15: “When I Fall In Love”
Songwriters: Victor Young & Edward Heyman
Date: 1957
“When I Fall In Love” was written by Victor Young and Edward Heyman in 1952 for the film One Minute to Zero. The song has been recorded by many artists, including the popular 1956 recording by Nat King Cole. The well-known lyrics speak of a love that lasts forever, which renders it an abiding choice for wedding reception playlists.
Nat King Cole
“When I Fall In Love”
🌟 Learn to play “When I Fall In Love” on piano.
Tips for Preparing to Play Piano at a Wedding
We probably don’t have to tell you that preparing piano songs to play at a wedding is not a task that is undertaken in a matter of days or weeks. In fact, your readiness really happens “in the off season”—long before you get the invitation. However, with consistent practice habits and thoughtful organization, you can be building and maintaining your performance readiness all year round. That way, getting ready for the big day won’t be such an uphill battle. In this section, we’ll discuss helpful habits and important perspectives that you can begin applying right now.
Behind the Veil Design Studio.³
1. An invitation to perform does not require an “all or nothing” response
If don’t have very much performance experience already, then you most likely won’t feel ready to accept the gig when you get the call. Moreover, if you view an invitation to perform as “all or nothing” proposition, then you’ll probably be tempted to decline—which will prevent you from gaining the valuable experience you need to grow. However, there is a third option.
Consider an invitation to perform as an invitation to participate!
Consider an invitation to perform as an invitation to participate! You were invited for a reason, often because of an existing relationship. Instead of declining or overcommitting, decide to nurture the relationship. Start by thanking them for the opportunity to be included in their special day and express your excitement to share in the event with them. If you feel like you’re not ready to cover all of the music for the entire event, then let them know that you’d be happy to contribute a few well-prepared selections. Frankly, this is how most professionals get their start.
2. Consider your role as a contribution to the overall atmosphere
Even though playing piano at wedding is formal, it is much different from performing at recitals and interscholastic competitions. If you received classical piano training as a young person, then you’re probably used to performing for a judge who is holding a copy of your score and assigning you a rating. When you get the call to play at a wedding…this is not that!
If you received classical piano training as a young person, then you’re probably used to performing for a judge who is holding a copy of your score…this is not that!
On the contrary, when you accept the invitation to play piano at a wedding, your role is to contribute to the atmosphere of the occasion…just like the floral arrangements. No one at the event will have a copy of your sheet music, and frankly, most people are not paying nearly as much attention to your playing as you might think. Ironically, the more comfortable you feel while playing, the more effective you’ll actually be…which brings us to our next point.
3. Organize your wedding folio in lead sheet format
Did you notice that John Proulx performed all 15 wedding songs from lead sheets in today’s tutorial? A lead sheet is a shorthand notation format used in fake books which includes a melodic sketch with chord symbols. In addition, some lead sheets also include lyrics. Playing from a lead sheet essentially involves improvising a cover version of a song on the spot using stylistic formulas and patterns. If you haven’t yet learned this skill, then we’d encourage you to develop it in our Lead Sheets Learning Tracks ( Beg/Int, Adv).
When you organize your wedding folio with lead sheets, you’re acknowledging the inherent fluidity that that goes into repertoire maintenance.
Without lead sheets, your wedding folio will be comprised entirely of arrangements, which are typically difficult to maintain over time. In fact, the more arrangements you learn, the harder it becomes to keep them all fresh. Lead sheets allow you to maintain a much larger catalogue of songs.
When you organize your wedding folio with lead sheets, you’re acknowledging the inherent fluidity that that goes into repertoire maintenance. Simply put, you will not always play each selection the same way for each occasion. Sometimes you’ll have more time to refresh a tune, and at other times, you’ll have to scale back and play less. Lead sheets provide you with the flexibility you need to adapt for each occasion.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you’ve completed today’s lesson on 15 Wedding Songs You Should Know for Piano. With a positive attitude, consistent practice routine and a well-curated setlist, you’ll be ready to joyfully share your musical gift!
If you enjoyed this lesson, then you’ll love the following PWJ resources:
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Contemporary & New Age Learning Tracks
Pop Piano Learning Tracks
Thanks for learning with us today! We’ll see you next time.
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¹ Roberts, Maddy Shaw. “Yiruma’s River Flows in You: From Its Meaning to Its Starring Role in The Twilight Saga.” ClassicFM.Com, 31 May 2023.
² Hopper, Alex. “Behind the Romantic Meaning of ‘Wonderful Tonight’ by Eric Clapton.” American Songwriter, 27 Jan. 2023.
³ Behind the Veil Design Studio
Writer
Michael LaDisa
Michael LaDisa graduated from the University of North Texas with a major in Music Theory & Composition. He lives in Chicago where he operates a private teaching studio and performs regularly as a solo pianist. His educational work with students has been featured on WGN-TV Evening News, Fox 32 Good Day,...
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