Selecting Chicago Wedding Music for your Wedding Ceremony

by Janet Janz, Cellist

Music is a wonderful way to enhance the beauty of your wedding ceremony. Live music brings a warmth and personal touch to your special day. Greeting your guests, walking down the aisle, lighting the candles; these are all special moments during your ceremony. Music will make all of these moments more memorable. This guide can help you with all the aspects of planning the music for your ceremony.

Types of Ceremony Music

There are many solo and/or instrument combinations that can be used to perform your wedding music. Do you want a singer, a solo instrument, a small ensemble or all of the above?! Here are some examples of combinations:

  • Organ
  • Piano
  • Piano Trio (violin, cello, piano)
  • String Trio (2 violins & cello or violin, viola & cello)
  • String Quartet (2 violins, viola, cello)
  • Harp
  • Trumpet
  • Flute and guitar
  • Woodwind Quartet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon)

You can use an organ or piano for the processional and recessional, and then have other musicians play other parts of the service. Or, you may want one ensemble to play all of the music.

Musical Spots during the Ceremony

During the wedding ceremony, two people are united in marriage in front of friends and family members. There are many opportunities during the ceremony to punctuate the love between two people.

Here are some spots to include music during the ceremony:

  • Prelude (20-30 minutes)
  • Processional
  • Candle Lighting
  • Communion
  • Meditation/Quiet Time
  • Recessional
  • Postlude (10-15 minutes)

Finding Musicians for Your Wedding

You can find a number of talented musicians throughout all of Illinois. Here are some places to get reliable musicians for your wedding:

  • At your Church. Check with the music minister about the Church’s guidelines regarding the use of their musicians and outside musicians.
  • Ask family members and friends for recommendations.
  • Local music schools. Call the school directly and ask if they have performing groups.
  • Local Universities/Colleges. Call or post a flyer asking for musicians to contact you.
  • Internet

Remember to get a list of references from prior clients. Feel free to contact the references for more information about the musicians.

Musical Arrangements

Please keep in mind that not all pieces are arranged for the instruments you want. The musicians can give you ideas and help you choose music. Unless you have specific requests, the prelude music can easily be chosen by your musicians.

Ask your musicians if they have a demo CD of wedding selections. You can also go to your local library and/or use the internet to hear excerpts of pieces. Here is a short list of pieces often performed at weddings:

  • Bach — “Air on a G String"
  • Bach — “Prelude in C Major, BWV 553"
  • Bach — “Jesu, Joy of Man#8217s Desiring” from Cantata no. 147
  • Beethoven — “Ode to Joy” (from Symphony No. 9)
  • Clarke — “Trumpet Tune”
  • Clarke — “Trumpet Voluntary”
  • Handel — “Air”, “Bourrée” or “Hornpipe” from Water Music
  • Handel — “La Rejouissance” ("Rejoicing") from Music for the Royal Fireworks
  • Mouret — “Rondeau” from Fanfares avec une suitte de simphonies (Theme from Masterpiece Theatre)
  • Pachelbel — Canon in D
  • Vivaldi — “The Four Seasons"

Where will the musicians perform?

Churches may have specific areas for musicians. If you are using another type of space, make sure there is enough room for all of your musicians and their instruments. A harp or cello takes up more room than a couple of violins! Another possibility is to have the prelude music played outdoors to greet your guests. 

What about pricing/contracts?

The cost of having live music at your wedding will depend on the number of musicians you hire and the amount of music they will play. Generally, you will pay $125-$175 per musician. Harpists, for example, may receive anywhere from $200-$400.* Administrative fees, travel costs, parking and meals may also be included in the pricing. 


*I generally get $300-400 for a wedding ceremony within 30 miles of my house, if its farther then there are mileage charges.
—Chicago area harpist

Ask for a contract if one is not offered. The contract should include all the specific information about the time/date/location of your ceremony. What time will the musicians arrive, when do they play (parts of the ceremony) and for how long (prelude and postlude)? Include the compensation amount and when it is due.

Groups often ask for a deposit with the balance due at the ceremony. The cost of travel may also be part of the fee. Whatever you have agreed upon with the musicians should be written into the contract! That way, the musicians will know their responsibilities beforehand.

Music is another way to make your ceremony unique. Remember that you don’t have to make all these decisions alone. Ask for help and recommendations from friends, family and local musicians. Follow your heart (and ear), enjoy the music and have a beautiful day! 


Janet Janz is a cellist with the Fern Court Trio and the Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra. She is also the owner/director of the Suzuki Music School of Lincoln Park. You can find out more information about the Fern Court Trio at http://www.suzukimusiclp.com

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