Planning Your Wedding Music

Gwyneth Evans - Harpist

Music before the Ceremony

As the guests arrive, wedding music from the harp fills the air. Usually, half an hour of music gives time to set the atmosphere while everyone is coming in.

Processional

The entry of the wedding procession of the bride and her attendants is  accompanied by music chosen by the wedding couple.

During the Ceremony

The short pause in the ceremony while bride and groom and their witnesses  sign the marriage register is a good time to have the musician play.  Soft music can also be an appropriate background for a candle lighting or sand pouring.

Recessional

At the end of the ceremony, the officiant announces the newly-wed couple and  they walk out together followed by their attendants.  The music accompanying  their exit is often joyful and lively, but can also be more reflective.

Reception

Harp music is also suitable for some types of wedding receptions, such as a tea or a small reception in a garden, and is often used also to provide atmosphere during the photo session or cocktail hour between the ceremony and the reception.  Gwyneth will be happy to discuss with you where the harp might contribute best at your wedding.
The following are some suggestions, For a more complete listing of Gwyneth’s wide repertoire, please contact her directly.
To download samples of selected music, right-click on an MP3 file link, choose “Save Target As” and select a folder on your computer.  Then locate the file and double-click it to start your default player.  Please note that pieces marked with an asterisk (*) require the concert harp; all others can be played on either Celtic or concert harp. (See About the Harps.) 
Traditional Church Wedding
Processional:
Bridal Chorus (Wagner) 620 KB MP3
Canon in D (Pachelbel) 515 KB MP3
Trumpet Voluntary
Signing the Register:
Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach) 846 KB MP3
Ave Maria* (Schubert) 476 KB MP3
Evening of Roses 558 KB MP3
Recessional:
Wedding March (Mendelsohn)*
Con Te Partiro
Trumpet Tune
Romantic Garden Wedding
Processional:
Canon in D (Pachelbel) 515 KB MP3
Where E’er You Walk (Handel)*
The Lark in the Clear Air 823 KB MP3
Signing the Register:
Greensleeves 591 KB MP3
Lara’s Theme* (from Dr. Zhivago) 700 KB MP3
The Swan (Saint-Saens)* 671 KB MP3
Lilac Flower
Gymnopedie #3 (Satie) 743 KB MP3
Ashokan Farewell (Jay Ungar) 672 KB MP3
End of Ceremony:
All in a Garden Green
Wind Beneath My Wings
Aire from Water Music (Handel)
Contemporary Romantic Wedding
Processional:
A Thousand Years
Angeles by Enya
Canon in D (Pachelbel) 515 KB MP3
Wedding Song
The Prayer (from ‘Quest for Camelot’) 493 KB MP3
Signing the Register:
Your Song ( Elton John )
Unchained Melody
Endless Love
The Rose
Beauty and the Beast
Someone to Watch Over Me (Gershwin) 707 KB MP3
Candle Lighting:
To Go Beyond by Enya
Wind Beneath My Wings
Recessional:
A River Flows in You
Con Te Partiro
A Whole New World 
Can You Feel the Love Tonight*
Celtic Wedding
Processional:
O’Carolan’s Mary 778 KB MP3
My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rose
Morning Has Broken 472 KB MP3
Angeles by Enya
Eleanor Plunket/Women of Ireland medley499 KB MP3
Signing the Register:
My Dearie
St. Columba’s Blessing
Carrickfergus
Shepherd Moons by Enya
The Lark in the Clear Air 823 KB MP3
Recessional:
Mairi’s Wedding (Lewis Bridal Song) 524 KB MP3
Star of the County Down 788 KB MP3
Jewish Weddings
Processional:
Hana’ava Babanot
Dodi Li
Al Kol Eleh
L’kha Dodi
Evening of Roses 558 KB MP3
Recessional:
Artza Alinu
Bashana Haba’ah
Hevenu Shalom Alekhem
Theme Weddings
Medieval and Renaissance Weddings are a special interest for Gwyneth, and she can suggest many appropriate songs. She is also interested to explore music for other kinds of theme weddings.