Wedding Processional Songs

[crank]

My sister asked me to play some acoustic guitar for my niece's wedding coming up in September. Good thing I have plenty of time to practice because I have no clue what to play. I am hoping you folks can help me out with some good suggestions. Will be playing my F412.

Some tunes I know and was thinking of are, Over The Hills and Far Away, Willin, except even though it's would be instrumental I am thinking people might hear the lyrics in their heads and those lyrics might not be best for a wedding? Can't Find My Way Home, another one I like on guitar but will the unsung lyric content be a problem.... Also was thinking of If You Could Read My Mind, but, argh, again the lyric..."...but the feeling's gone and I just can't get it back..." doesn't seem to lend itself to happily ever after.

I need help!

 

[Opsimath]

Does your niece have any favorites? Could sis provide some input?

When will you be playing - during the ceremony, at the reception? Not that I would have any suggestions if I knew, because I don't, but might help with suggestions from others.

 

[crank]

Good question. I will be playing when the bridal party and the bride are walking in, maybe while people are being seated, an again at end of ceremony when the couple walk out. The ceremony is going to be outdoors, weather permitting of course, and is at an Adirondack Lodge in upstate New york.

Regarding what sister and niece want to hear - they are pondering that as well.

 

[tjmangum]

Canon in D worked nicely at my wedding, although it was on a violin and not guitar.
https://youtu.be/jXC9tuumjiA

 

[fronobulax]

If you have access to a church organist they will have ideas that pass the "lyrics" test, although finding or making an arrangement for guitar might be difficult. You may also be in a "no win" situation because if you are playing only, and not singing, many people may have no clue what the song is. Usually it is only the bassists and jazzers who recognize a song just from its chord progression. Of course, that may mean that the "lyrics" test is of little importance.

 

[gjmalcyon]

I am thinking people might hear the lyrics in their heads and those lyrics might not be best for a wedding?

How about an instrumental version of Noel Paul Stookey's "Wedding Song"? If folks are "hearing" the lyrics as you play, it's perfect....

 

[griehund]

Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah (Wedding version)?

 

[walrus]

+1 for "The Wedding Song". Also, "Time In a Bottle" would be one that is appropriate and people would find familiar. "We've Only Just Begun" is also a "wedding" song.

But I'm liking your choice of "Over the Hills"!

walrus

 

[geoguy]

Pachelbel's Canon or the Wedding Song sound like great ideas, imo.

Long time ago I attended the wedding of a friend, who asked his singer-songwriter sister to play guitar before the service & also as the bride/groom were walking away from the altar. She chose Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away" for both times! She sang it sweetly before the service, & rocked out as they were walking out of the church. Ha!

Just for fun, maybe you could do this tune after folks are slightly liquored-up at the reception:



:cool-new:

 

[Bronsky]

As a wedding photographer, I've seen something similar done a few times.
Hallelujah works, though the guy was playing much closer to the Jeff Buckley version.
Dylan's I want you.
Once someone played a very nice chord melody version of the Byrd's Turn Turn Turn.

 

[rampside]

I was thinking, if and when my daughter gets married, I might want to play a guitar instrumental version of "Color My World" at some point during the event.

With those beautiful Major 7th & 9th chords, it may sound very nice on that F-412.

 

[Walking Man]

I'd go with
1)Singing Skies and Dancing Waters (John Denver: key of D.)
2)Today (Randy Sparks: key of C.)
3)My Sweet Lady (John Denver: key of D.)
4) Long ago and Far Away (James Taylor: D minor 7th.)
...Depending on the franchise, and its ceremony, a great "short" filler is the last, and only the last verse from Zachary and Jennifer (John Denver: key of C)
I used them at many-a-wedding with NO complaints from the participants or the emcee.

 

[dbirchett]

I don't know how you would do it on guitar but I have always thought that Mendelssohn's Nocturne from Midsummer Night's Dream would make a beautiful wedding march, probably better than the wedding march from the same piece that is frequently used as a recessional/

 

[crank]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I am learning Pachelbel's Canon. and I like the idea of Turn Turn Turn for the recessional. Still thinking Over The Hills And Far Away would work for the bride's walk. As far as people recognizing songs and putting lyrics to them in their heads with just a rhythm guitar: when I play these songs I add some melody in with the rhythm so not just strumming chords. Another song I tried and like on the 12 string is Little Wing. Probably good for the pre processional background noodling when folks are being seated.

 

[Tiki295]

Here's a nice version of Pachelbel's Canon in D for solo guitar.

I use several (free) arrangements from this site for my solo gypsy/classical wedding repertoire
http://www.8notes.com/guitar/classical/sheet_music/