Wedding Music Collections G-S
Giving you the rest of my life. Sparrow, p1999 : G2-7243-8-51418-2-9
Contemporary Christian stars sing love songs in this collection. It contains some specifically for weddings such as Paul Stookey's "The Wedding Song" and "Wedding Prayer" by Wendy and Mary, but also some beautiful and different selections.
Giving you the rest of my life (Bob Carlisle); I.O.U. (Bebe and Cece); No remedy for love (Susan Ashton); Go there with you (Steven Curtis Chapman); All I ever wanted (Margaret Becker); God causes all things to grow (Steve Green); Amen! Praise and glory (Michael Card); All I long for (Michael English and Susan Ashton); To keep love alive (Out of the Grey); Wedding prayer (Wendy and Mary); Friends for life (Debby Boone); Over and over (Annie Herring); Wedding song (Noel Paul Stookey).
Great wedding songs. Warner Bros., p1994 : 9 45512-2
Contemporary artists do country and western wedding songs.
The vows go unbroken (Always true to you) (Kenny Rogers); That's all (Kathie Lee Gifford); You and I (Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle); A long and lasting love (Crystal Gayle); All I have (Beth Nielsen Chapman); At last (Gene Watson); Pledging my love (Emmylou Harris); I'll be there for you (Kenny Rogers); True love (Kathie Lee Gifford); There's no love like our love (Crystal Gayle and Gary Morris).
Greatest Wedding Songs. Chartbuster, p2004 : 5026ST.
This 3-disc set of karaoke music uses studio musicians and singers to recreate wedding and love song classics. A little heavy on the country, but not a bad selection if you can't find the originals.
Disc 1: We've only just begun; The wedding song (There is love); First time ever I saw your face; You are so beautiful; Always and forever; Just the way you are; I will always love you; Always; The wedding song; Unchained melody; When a man loves a woman; Truly; Only you (and you alone); What a difference you've made in my life; Nobody loves me like you do; Endless love; I cross my heart.
Disc 2: Love can build a bridge; After all; Unforgettable; Here and now; (Everything I do) I do it for you; In this life; Up where we belong; Almost paradise; Don't know much; Your love amazes me; Love is a wonderful thing; I could not ask for more; Wind beneath my wings; From this moment on; It's your love; I love the way you love me.
Disc 3: Look at us; Two sparrows in a hurricane; I do; To be loved by you; The keeper of the stars; I swear; From here to eternity; I do (cherish you); Now that I found you; My best friend; The way you love me; Amazed; Unconditional; We danced; You are; Your everything.
I will be here: 10 contemporary wedding songs. Sparrow, p1990 : SPD 1229.
Features contemporary Christian artists singing 10 love/wedding songs.
I will be here (Steven Curtis Chapman); Lost without you (BeBe and CeCe Winans); Cherish the treasure (Steve Green); Love with me (Melody's song) (Keith Green); Bonded together (Twila Paris); The wedding (Michael Card); Love that will not let me go (Steve Camp); This is the day (A wedding song) (Scott Wesley Brown); Love will be our home (Susan Ashton); Edge of the dream (White Heart).
Irish Wedding Songs. Compose, p2000 : 9517-2.
Now here's a niche market: Irish wedding music. More appropriate for the reception than the wedding itself, the selections include a few Irish favorites but mostly standards sung by Irish artists. Would also be good for wedding anniversaries.
My wild Irish rose; Irish wedding song; The Irish way to love; Love thee dearest; The anniversary waltz; The wind beneath my wings; Wedding bells; I need you; I love you because; She wears my ring; When you were sweet sixteen; Golden jubilee; You're my best friend; This song is just for you; How great thou art.
It Had to be You: a Jazz Wedding Album, BMG, p1998 : 09026 63183-2
This is great stuff, both for an informal or contemporary wedding or for the reception. With the discovery of swing music by another generation, this one should be a sure hit. It would also be a super choice for an anniversary party, especially for the generations that lived through the Swing Era.
My one and only love (Louis Armstrong); There will never be another you (Bud Powell Trio); It had to be you (Benny Goodman); It's love (Lena Horne); All of me (Benny Carter); The more I know you (Fats Waller); Embraceable you (Duke Jordan); Like someone in love (Gary Burton Trio); My honey's lovin' arms (Duke Ellington); I've got you under my skin (Paul Desmond); When you wish upon a star (Glenn Miller Orchestra); The man I love (Mary Lou Williams); You go to my head (Dizzy Gillespie); Gypsy queen (Count Basie); I've got the world on a string (Coleman Hawkins); Oh! You sweet thing (Nilly Banks).
Kings Singers. Circle of Life, BMG, p1996 : 74321 38926 2
Looking for something really different? This is the album. The Kings Singers are a British vocal ensemble with piercingly pure voices that are guaranteed to bring shivers down the spine. This album focuses on popular love songs and contains several really beautiful recordings appropriate for weddings.
The circle of life; Kiss from a rose; Kokomo; Wind beneath my wings; It had to be you; Live and let die; The time of my life; I heard it through the grapevine; Everything I do, I do it for you; The rose; I will always love you; Groovy kind of love.
The look of love: music for your wedding. Proarte, p1993 : CDS 3440
Traditional and contemporary plans are provided in this compact disc. Combines orchestral with traditional organ music, with a very occasional jazz saxophone touch.
Traditional wedding songs: Bridal chorus from Lohengrin (Wagner); Wedding march from a midsummer night's dream (Mendelssohn); Canon in D major (Pachelbel); Fanfare from Masterpiece Theatre (Mouret); Ave Maria (Schubert); Trumpet voluntary (J. Clarke); Tune in D major (Purcell); The Lord's prayer (Malotte). Contemporary wedding songs: Forever in love; Save the best for last; The wedding song; Wind beneath my wings; Unchained melody; (Everything I do) I do it for you; Endless love.
Make Time for Love. Hallmark, p2002 : 314583060-2
OK, so I picked this one up at the Hallmark store. It's not bad really and includes quite a few selections that would be appropriate for receptions or first dances. I can even see several of the selections being used for informal weddings.
At last (Etta James); Come rain or come shine (Joe Williams & Count Basie); Heart and soul (Ella Fitzgerald); Embraceable you (Billie Holiday); The way you look tonight (Fred Astaire); The touch of your lips (Dorothy Dandridge); Theme there eyes (Billie Holiday); Maybe it's because (Louis Armstrong); Unforgettable (Dinah Washington); My one and only love (Oscar Peterson); I only have eyes for you (Carmen McRae); My romance (Sarah Vaughan).
A Midsummer Night's Dream: a Classical Wedding Album, BMG, p1998 : 09026 63182-2
From the same BMG series as It Had to be You and When I Fall in Love, this disc offers a nice selection of classical wedding music. No real surprises, but pretty good performances by James Galway, The Canadian Brass and others. Something for everyone including a gorgeous version of "Greensleeves" by Julian Bream on guitar.
Trumpet tune and air / Purcell (Virgil Fox); Bridal chorus from Lohengrin / Wagner (Ambrosian Singers); Clair de lune / Debussy (James Galway); Canon / Pachelbel (Baroque Chamber Orchestra); Allegro maestoso from Water music / Handel (Canadian Brass); Es tont ein voller Harfenklang / Brahms (Musica Sacra); Trio for two flutes and harp from L'Enfance du Christ / Berlioz (Doriot Anthony Duyer); Wedding march from A midsummer night's dream / Mendelssohn (Philadelphia Orchestra); Trumpet voluntary / Clarke (Canadian Brass); Jesu, joy of man's desiring / J. S. Bach (Virgil Fox); Rondeau / Mouret (Canadian Brass); Sheep may safely graze / J. S. Bach (Virgil Fox); Reverie / Debussy (James Galway); Greensleeves (Julian Bream); Andante from Brandenburg concerto no. 2 / J. S. Bach (Boston Symphony Orchestra); Toccata from Symphony no. 5 / Widor (Virgil Fox).
The Most Romantic Classical Music in the Universe. Denon, p2004 : COZ 17334
While not a wedding album, this 2-CD collection of classical favorites could easily be used to serve as background music for either pre-ceremony or reception.
CD 1: Aragonaise from Carmen / Bizet; Clair de lune / Debussy; The swan / Saint-Saens; Moonlight sonata, adagio / Beethoven; Recuerdos / Tarrega; Apres un reverie / Faure; Song without words, op. 19 #6 / Mendelssohn; Serenade for string, elegia / Tchaikovsky; Ballade no. 1 / Chopin; Liebestraume / Liszt; Gymnopedie no. 1 / Satie; Abendlied / Schumann; Song without words, op. 62 #5 / Mendelssohn; Serenade for strings, larghetto / Dvorak; Fur Elise / Beethoven.
CD 2: Symphony no. 5 adaaaagietto / Mahler; Piano concerto no. 2, adagio / Rachmaninoff; Idyll for strings, adagio / Janacek; Violin sonata, recitativo-fantasia / Franck; Largo from Xerxes / Handel; Etude in E major / Chopin; Swan Lake (excerpt) / Tchaikovsky; Meditation from Thais / Massenet; Romeo & Juliet / Prokofiev; Catalonian folk song; Nocturne in F / Tchaikovsky; Prelude / Rachmaninoff.
The Most Romantic Jazz Music in the Universe. Denon, p2004 : COZ 17336
And now for something really different... This two-CD compilation has some really beautiful selections either for the reception or to include in the ceremony. Most are instrumentals and could easily provide an inspiring backdrop for an informal wedding.
Disc one: What are you doing the rest of your life? (Pat Martino); You leave me breathless (Milt Jackson); P.S. I love you (Lee Morgan and Hank Mobley); These foolish things (Art Pepper); Summertime (Duke Jordan); Someone to watch over me (Donald Byrd); My romance (Sadao Watanabe); Falling in love with love (Eliane Elias); Willow weep for me (Cannonball Adderley); My one and only love (Richard "Groove" Holmes); I got it bad (and that ain't good) (Ricky Ford).
Disc two: Sweet and lovely (Sonny Stitt); My old flame (Darrell Grant); You don't know what love is (Russell Gunn); Tenderly (Kenny Burrell); I thought about you (Sadao Watanabe); Softly as in a morning sunrise (The Modern Jazz Quartet); Two loves (Duke Jordan); Whisper not (Bobby Hutcherson); Love is here to stay (Marian McPartland); Blue velvet (Willis Jackson and Pat Martino); One for my baby (and one more for the road) (David "Fathead" Newman).
Music for weddings. EMI, p1988 : CDZ 7 62524 2
A very nice program of classical music recorded in England. Includes vocals, organ and piano.
Bridal chorus (Wagner); Trumpet voluntary (J. Clarke); Ave Maria (Bach-Gounod); Nun danket alle Gott (Bach); Suite Gothique, op. 25 (Boellmann); Jesu, joy of man's desiring (J.S. Bach); Adagio (Albinoni); Panis angelicus (Franck); Wedding march (Mendelssohn); Suite no. 3 (J.S. Bach); Ave Maria (Schubert); In dulci jubilo (J.S. Bach); Largo (Handel); The Lord's my shepherd (Irvine); Liebestraum no. 3 (Liszt); Symphony no. 53, op. 42 toccata (Widor).
Music for festive occasions: wedding marches, dances, fanfares and choruses. Crystal, p1985 : CD 232.
Classical music program with some different ideas.
Fanfare and chorus (Buxtehude); Trumpet voluntary (J. Clarke); Three dances from the French renaissance (J. Clarke); Pavane (Gervaise); Branle gai; Allemande (Gervaise); Wedding march (Mendelssohn); Heroic marches (Telemann); Suite no. 1 (Mouret); Wedding march (Wagner); Prelude and Te Deum (Charpentier); The queen's dolour (Purcell); Introduction and trumpet tune (Purcell); Le rejoissance from Royal fireworks (Handel); Trumpet voluntary (Stanley); Fanfare for three trumpets, organ and timpani (Truax).
Musiques nuptiales: wedding music. Erato, p1993 : 4509-92968-2
Classical music from Erato, a European company. A few less-tired suggestions.
Guest arrival: Violin concerto no. 8 in A minor (Vivaldi); Jesu, joy of man's desiring (J.S. Bach); Brandenburg concerto no. 2 in F major (J.S. Bach); Pavane (Faure); Trumpet voluntary (Purcell); Concerto no. 1 (Vivaldi); Air on a G string (J.S. Bach); Suite in F major from Water music (Handel). Traditional bride entrance: Wedding march (Wagner). Traditional ceremony music: Alleluia (Mozart); Alleluia (Handel); Canon in D major (Pachelbel); Ave Maria (Gounod); Greensleeves; Bride and groom departure: Wedding march (Mendelssohn); Gloria (Vivaldi); Le rejouissance (Handel).
New Wedding Traditions: a Collection of New Wedding Music. New Traditions
This one is really different. All songs are original and selected to honor or celebrate certain aspects of the wedding. There are songs from fathers to daughter, mothers to sons, thanks from the bridal couple and interesting combinations. They also come in both vocal and instrumental versions in case someone in the family won't be too choked up to sing along.
A song for my daughter; A song for my son; As we break this bread; One more time; A wedding thank you; To our family and friends.
New Wedding Traditions: Volume II. New Traditions
This disc completes the set that the first began. It also includes very specific songs for specific occasions, but adds a processional.
Our first dance; A father's song; A song for my son; Processional in D; Heaven knows; A wedding thank you; The gift without a bow.
Now and Forever: Timeless Wedding Songs Rhino, p1999 : R275610
Rhino does it again with this collection of popular love songs performed by the original artists. This one includes a lot of rhythm and blues favorites.
Here and now (Luther Vandross); Tonight I celebrate my love (Peabo Bryson); You're the inspiration (Chicago); More than words (Extreme); Always and forever (Heatwave); Best thing that ever happened to me (Gladys Knight and the Pips); Theme from Ice Castles (Melissa Manchester); If (Bread); Could I have this dance? (Anne Murray); You are my lady (Freddie Jackson); I just wanna stop (Gino Vannelli); Through the fire (Chaka Khan); Always (Atlantic Starr); Two less lonely people in the world (Air Supply); I'll always love you (Taylor Dayne); At last (Etta James).
The #1 Wedding Album. Universal Music Group, p2003 : B0000274-02
This 2-CD set is divided into two complete wedding ceremonies of traditional classical wedding music. This allows anyone using the album to pick one, pop it into the stereo, and relax. Both ceremonies include nice music, albeit very traditional.
CD 1: Processional: Wedding bells; Bridal chorus from Lohengrin / Wager; Allegro suite / Stanley; Trumpet tune and air / Purcell; Prelude T Deum / Charpentier. Ceremonial music: Air from Orchestral suite no. 3 in D major (Air on a G string) / J.S. Bach; Largo in F from Xerxes / Handel; Sheep may safely graze / J.S. Bach; Largo ma non tanto from Double violin concerto in D minor / J.S. Bach; My heart will go on / Horner; Vocal solos: Panis angelicus / Franck; Ave Maria / J.S. Bach; One hand, one heart / Bernstein; Alleluja (Allegro) / Mozart; Recessional: See the conquering hero comes / Handel; Let the bright seraphim / Handel; Alla hornpipe from Water music suite no. 2 / Handel; Wedding march from A midsummer night's dream / Mendelssohn.
CD 2: Processional: Bridal chorus from Lohengrin / Wagner; Trumpet voluntary / Clarke; Trumpet tune in C / Purcell; Allegro from Sonata no. 1 in C for trumpet and organ / Viviani; Ceremonial music: Sonata from Die Bankelsangerlieder; Canon in D / Pachelbel; The heart asks pleasure first / Nyman; Sleepers awake / J.S. Bach; Greensleeves; Jesu, joy of man's desiring / J.S. Bach; Vocal solos: Ave Maria / Schubert; O mio babbino caro / Puccini; How lovely is thy dwelling place from German requiem / Brahms; Be my love / Brodszky; Because / D'Hardelot; Recessional: Rondeau (Masterpiece Theatre theme) / Mouret; Wedding day at Trolhaugen / Grieg; Canzon in imitation of an English Bergamask / Scheidt; La rejouissance / Handel; Wedding march from A midsummer night's dream / Mendelssohn.
Rockin' and rollin' wedding songs: volume 1. Rhino, p1992 : R2 70588
Popular songs from early 1960's with wedding/love themes.
Let the bells keep ringing (Paul Anka); Wouldn't it be nice (Beach Boys); For me and my gal (Nilsson); Band of gold (Don Cherry); Wedding boogie (Johnny Otis Orchestra); Church bells may ring (Willows); Chapel of love (Dixie Cups); The wedding (Solitaires); When we get married (Dreamlovers); I want to marry you (Dell-Vikings); To the aisle (Five Satins); Hey Paula (Paul ~Paula); Wedding song (There is love) (Captain ~Tennille); Wedding bell blues (5th Dimension).
Rockin' and rollin' wedding songs: volume 2. Rhino, p1992 : R2 70589
Continuation of the first album featuring rock and roll from the early 1960's.
If you wanna be happy (Jimmy Soul); I'm gonna get married (Lloyd Price); I wish that we were married (Ronnie ~the Hi-Lites); Here comes the bride (Prince Buster); Wedding bells (Tiny Tim ~the Hits); Three steps from the altar (Shep ~the Limelites); Down the aisle of love (Quin-Tones); I hear bells (Wedding bells) (Dell-Vikings); Babalu's wedding day (Eternals); Bells, bells, bells (The bell song) (Billy ~Lillie); Girl I want to marry you (Jay ~the Techniques); With this ring (Platters); Let's get married (Al Green); Big Bopper's wedding (Big Bopper).
St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble, Wedding Gifts: Bach Wedding Cantatas, Arabesque, p1997 : Z6690
Bach, when writing in a secular mode, often wrote music to celebrate specific occasions. Weddings were among those occasions. This album, wich features a chamber ensemble and a soprano soloist (Heidi Grant Murphy), concentrates on two cantatas and a stand-alone aria. It's nice stuff, and prospective brides and grooms may find a few selections from which to choose.
Cantata, BWV 202 (Weichet nur, betrubte Schatten); Cantata, BWV 210 (O holder Tag, erwunschte Zeit); Bist du bei mir, BWV 508.
Christine Schafer. Bach Hochzeitzkantaten (Wedding Cantatas) Deutsche Grammophon, p1999 : 499 621-2
Soprano Christine Schafer joins Musica Antigua Koln for this album of Bach's wedding cantatas.
O holder Tag, erwunschte Zeit; Weichtet nur, betrubte Schatten; Jaucbzet Gott in allen Landen.
Frank Sinatra. Greatest Love Songs. Reprise, p2002 : R2 78295
Looking for romantic songs everyone can dance to? Here's one of Frank's best compilations that should set the right mood for late in the reception.
My funny valentine; What is this thing called love?; Like someone in love; I've got a crush on you; Let's fall in love; You'd be so easy to love; Fly me to the moon (In other words); In the blue of the evening; Moonlight serenade; I'm getting sentimental over you; In the still of the night; You and the night and the music; Don't take your love from me; I hadn't anyone till you; My heart stood still; The very thought of you; The way you look tonight; You brought a new kind of love to me; Night and day; Come rain or come shine; All the way; Strangers in the night.
Smedvig, Rolf, Ceremonial Music, Telarc, p1993 : CD-80341
This isn't a wedding album. It just plays like one. It's chock full of beautiful and recognizable music played on trumpet and organ by Rolf Smedvig and Michael Murray. If a couple is looking for something formal, impressive and very special, they will want to check this one out.
Te Deum / Charpentier; March and gigue from Suite for trumpet and organ / Purcell; Trumpet tune in D major / Purcell; Rondeau from Suite de symphonies / Mouret; Sicilienne / Paradis; Le rejouissance / Handel; Fantasia on Greensleeves / Vaughan Williams; Ave Maria / J. S. Bach; Jesu, joy of man's desiring / J. S. Bach; Sheep may safely graze / J. S. Bach; If love's sweet passion from The fairy queen / Purcell; Ave Maria / Schubert; Trumpet tune in D major / Clarke; Rigadon and passepied from Suite in D / Saint-Luc; Toccata / Martini; The prayer of Saint Gregory / Hovhaness; Wedding march from A midsummer night's dream / Mendelssohn.
Smooth Grooves: Wedding Songs, Rhino, p1998 : R2 72757
If you're looking for wedding or reception music with a rhythm and blues feel, this is the album. It's full of oldies!
I believe in you and me (Four Tops); All this love (DeBarge); My reason to be is you (Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.); I pledge my love (Peaches and Herb); Unconditional love (Atlantic Starr); Cherish (Kool and the Gang); When we get married (Larry Graham); I promise (I do love you) (Dreamboy); You're all that matters (Deniece Williams); Ribbon in the sky (Stevie Wonder); You're the reason ("D" train); I'd still say yes (Klymaxx).
Songs for your Wedding. K-Tel, p1992 : 60302
Pretty standard stuff here, although there's a nice version of "Always" which is becoming popular for wedding dances.
Trumpet voluntary; Here comes the bride; Ave Maria; The wedding song (There is love); Hawaiian wedding song; We've only just begun; You light up my life; Let it be me; Unchained melody; You are so beautiful; You and I; Always; Evergreen; Just the way you are; The wedding march & The bridal chorus.
Songs for your wedding: volume 2. K-tel International, p1994 : 3268-2.
Standard titles from recent popular music. Also includes the traditional processional and recessional.
Trumpet voluntary; Here comes the bride; I will always love you; (Everything I do) I do it for you; Don't know much; You're the inspiration; Truly; I'll still be loving you; Endless love; Can't help falling in love; Here and now; I'll always love you; Ave Maria; The wedding march/Bridal chorus.
Julian & Fortune. Songs of Celebration and Love for Weddings and Other Happy Occasions. Romeo Records : 7201.
Julian Hernandez has put together a 20-track collection of very unusual offerings. If you are looking for songs to be sung during the ceremony, you might want to take a look at this. The titles are unusual and very interesting. Tacked onto the end are abbreviated versions of the traditional wedding songs, just in case a short version is needed.
I believe in you and me; If you say my eyes are beautiful; For the first time; Pledging my love; True companion; Valentine; Forever; Grow old with me; Nobody loves me like you do; Let's say it together (I love you); I need to be with you tonight; Darlin' little girl; Little boy; A mother and her son; I am your child; Mother; Happy anniversary (my love); Her smile; Wedding song (instrumental); Canon in D major; Spring from the four seasons; Trumpet voluntary; Here comes the bride from Lohengrin; Wedding march from a midsummer night's dream.
Ettore Stratta. As Time Goes By: Great Love Songs of the Century. Teldec, p2000 : 8573-80560-2
Although this album wasn't produced with weddings in mind, it still has a lot to offer brides and grooms. The music is played by an orchestra and includes some songs that may be appropriate for the ceremony, and much more that would make great reception music. More than one of these songs could make a beautiful wedding dance.
My foolish heart; The shadow of your smile; Yesterday and Michelle; Dein ist mein ganzes Herz (Yours is my heart alone); As time goes by; Smile and Eternally; Just the way you are; The summer knows and Estate; Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuss auf Liebe eingestellt (Falling in love); Dream; My heart will go on; Con te partiro (Time to say goodbye).Sweet Surrender: The Most Popular Wedding Songs. St Clair, p2005 : NOV10222.
This was a surprise: a nice selection of classic love songs with a few more unusual titles thrown in such as "You Light up my Life" and "Longer" (standards, yes, but not also included on wedding albums).
I will always love you; Best thing that ever happened to me; I wanna love you forever; The wedding; I pledge my love; Saving all my love for you; Up where we belong; Because you loved me; Have I told you lately (that I love you); Longer; You light up my life; Butterfly kisses.
