Wedding Songs – The Best of Both Worlds

If you’re looking for a modern song for walking down the aisle that’s also grand and regal, have we got an idea for you!

The Prime Minister’s Love Theme from Love Actually bridges the gap between traditional classical music and driving pop. It’s elegant, regal, grand, and classy. It’s also from one of our very favorite movies, so win-win!

All you need to do is imagine this huge sound filling the room, from floor to walls and ceiling, welcoming you as you walk down that beautiful aisle. If you’re looking for a modern song for walking down the aisle that will make you feel like royalty, stop and give this one a good listen.

Pretty good, right?!

(For a quick win, check out our list of 10 favorite songs for walking down the aisle)

Speaking about Love Actually, one of our favorite things to do is to tie a ceremony together with a musical theme. Think about taking all of your ceremony music from the score of Love Actually, it works! When you combine the Glasgow Love Theme, Portuguese Love Theme, PM Love Theme, and All You Need Is Love, you’ve got a cohesive ceremony plan that will win the hearts of everyone in the room.

Here are some more modern ceremony music theme ideas:
All Beatles
All Coldplay
All Bruno Mars
All Beyonce
Yacht Rock!

Isn’t your creativity just flowing now?! The possibilities are simply endless and so very exciting. This is your chance to create something that will last forever.

If you’re looking for inspiration, take a spin through our wedding ceremony ideas and get access to 25 already done for you templates to mix & match ideas. We’ll be back soon with more ideas. Happy planning!


Where To Start When Choosing Wedding Songs

It seems that one of the most common concerns we hear from brides & grooms about their wedding ceremony music is that they don’t know where to start! So, let’s lay some basic groundwork.

We’re all unique individuals, so the first thing to think about is the mood you want supporting you as you walk down the aisle. What suits your style? If you’re getting married in a traditional church and having a religious ceremony, classical music might fit the bill. And, it might be the only kind of music that’s allowed, so be sure to check with the music director at your church!

If you’re getting married anywhere else, you’ve got ALL the options. Would you feel best walking to something that feels regal, like an entrance fit for a queen? In that case, you’ll likely want to look at classical music. Start listening to things and see how it feels. How does this feel to you?

Sarlas Music Inc. · Trumpet Voluntary (Jeremiah Clarke)- String Quartet & Trumpet

The opposite end of the spectrum is if you’d prefer something that’s more relaxed and pretty. This one is very traditional, and is chosen often for good reason! Goosebumps, right?

Sarlas Music Inc. · Canon in D (Johann Pachelbel)

This next one still fits the relaxed and pretty spectrum, but is more romantic.

Sarlas Music Inc. · Flower Duet from Lakme (Leo Delibes)

If you’re thinking that those were all nice, but not for you, consider some pop music. Whether you have live musicians or a DJ, instrumental music is easier to time for walking down the aisle, because you don’t need to worry about cutting lyrics off in the middle of a thought. So, we’re going to give you all instrumental examples here. This one fits the bill for relaxing pop music with a message that’s perfect for a wedding day:

If you want something a little more lively (but not too much!) check this out:

And, if country music is more your thing, here’s one:

Finally, how about making your big entrance to a rock tune?

So, from these 7 examples, go with your gut and tell us which direction feels best to you. From there, you’ll know which door to open and do a deeper dive into finding the right song, just for you.

If you’re looking for inspiration and want to ditch the guesswork and save time, take a spin through our wedding ceremony ideas and get access to 25 already done for you templates to mix & match ideas. From classical to pop, rock, country, and film music, we’ve got you covered!

Chicago Wedding Band String Pop – Imperial March from Star Wars – String Quartet

The Imperial March from Star Wars string quartet, performed live by Artistrings, a modern string quartet in Chicago that specializes in pop and rock music. This is one of our favorite Star Wars string covers for our Chicago wedding band musicians, with a string quartet arrangement written by our talented violist, Benton Wedge! If you’re a fan of Star Wars and you want to make a statement walking down the aisle, consider this. We actually wrote this one for a little ring bearer who walked down the aisle in his Darth Vader mask and cape and could not have been more excited about his contribution to the big day. Love it!

Katherine Hughes, violin
Carol Kalvonjian, violin
Benton Wedge, viola & arranging
Matthew Agnew, cello

Modern Pop Strings – Wedding Love Song – The Luckiest, for String Quartet

Happy Day, everyone! This is our favorite Ben Folds string cover, with a string quartet arrangement and sheet music written by our talented violist, Benton Wedge! If you’re a fan of modern pop music and wedding love songs, this is an absolutely beautiful song for walking down the aisle, prelude music as your guests are being seated, or the first dance. Imagine floating down the aisle to The Luckiest for your wedding processional music. Our Chicago wedding band and Artistrings string quartet are partial to this song, as it’s a perfect wedding song and an exceptional choice for wedding music.

Grab our free list of the best songs for walking down the aisle. Whether your vision is classical elegance or fun and accessible pop, this quick-start guide has got you covered.

How To Choose Wedding Ceremony Songs – Is Pop Music The Right Choice For You?

Continuing in our series of wedding ceremony music, today we’re going to hit on a topic that’s near and dear to my heart – pop music! I’m trained as a classical violinist, but I have to say that pop music has become my passion, so let’s dive in and talk about what this means for wedding ceremony music, ok?

When the excitement of being engaged wears off (just a little), you’re faced with the reality of needing to make a LOT of decisions in a relatively short amount of time. Even with a long engagement (hey, thanks COVID!), the wedding planning process can still be overwhelming. Let’s not fool ourselves, guys. Planning a wedding can easily become a second full-time job, and it’s not one that you were expecting to have!

(For a quick win, check out our list of 10 favorite songs for walking down the aisle)

Let’s talk about why you might want to choose pop music for your wedding ceremony. The mood your ceremony music creates can set the tone for your entire celebration, so be sure to choose carefully! There’s so much incredible music to choose from, the possibilities are truly endless. In future posts, we’re also going to cover music for prelude, processional, unity ceremony, recessional, and postlude. There’s lots to do, so buckle up and let’s dive in!

(Want to avoid putting your ceremony together on your own? Check out our wedding ceremony templates for easy music selection.)

We’ve worked with over a thousand couples to choose their wedding ceremony music, and we’ve seen brides freeze because they’re just not sure about the kind of music that they want. They’ve come to us stressed and unsure of themselves, completely overwhelmed and not knowing where to start. So here’s the thing – let’s take it one step at a time. Step one, we’re going to choose a genre. So, let’s go! Here are 10 reasons to choose pop music for your ceremony:

  • It’s Accessible

How many times have you been to a wedding and didn’t recognize any of the music? It was probably very beautiful, but it just didn’t speak to you.

It doesn’t have to be that way!

Pop music is relevant today, so pretty much everyone will know the songs. And when people recognize the music, they’re actively engaging in your ceremony. Win-win.

  • It’s Cool

Yes. Yes it is.

Imagine walking out of your ceremony to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.”

Classic Stevie Wonder. Doesn’t get much better than that, does it?

Ooh. For something a little more subdued, how about Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day?”

If you want people to be buzzing about your wedding ceremony for months after the fact, pop music is a great way to do it.

  • It’s Vocal

Yes, most pop tunes have lyrics. Sometimes the lyrics are absolutely essential to the structure of the song. But other times, the melody can be played instrumentally, without the words. When that happens, people recognize the melody and often will think of the words while they’re listening to the music.

BONUS: No more nameless melodies! You’ve just added a second layer of meaning to your ceremony music because people are listening to the music and thinking the words. 

  • It’s Unique

Most couples want to personalize their wedding day as much as possible. After all, this is the one day when it’s truly all about YOU!

From a ketubah designed and painted by the bride herself, to a processional song chosen because it’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever heard and just can’t get it out of your mind, don’t hesitate to make unique choices for your celebration. Pop music opens up a world of music possibilities that will wow your guests and make your day truly one-of-a-kind.

  • It’s Meaningful

Go ahead, walk down the aisle to the song that you were listening to when your fiancé proposed. It’s special to you, so why not include it prominently in one of the most special days of your life? 

Choose a song that has hopes and wishes for your future life ahead. Or, choose a song that has cherished meaning about your past. 

Ideas are only limited by your imagination, so open up your mind and see what it tells you!

  • It’s Unexpected

People show up for a wedding expecting to hear…all together now: WEDDING MUSIC.

Surprise them! 

Work with your ceremony musicians to put together a ceremony of completely unexpected (yet completely appropriate) music fitting for the first day of the rest of your life.

(Want to ditch the guesswork? Check out our wedding ceremony templates for already-done-for-you simplicity.)

  • It’s The Best of Both Worlds

Pop strings, that is. 

Pop by nature is current, and if you have strings who are well-versed in performing that style? BOOM. 

Elegant. Alluring. Captivating. 

Stringed instruments look graceful just sitting there. Those sexy curves, seductive necks and intricate scrolls. And once the music starts? You’ve got the best of both worlds.

  • It’s Familiar

Like your favorite go-to bottle of wine, pop tunes are familiar and probably make you feel comfortable. For a lot of people, classical music isn’t something they’re very familiar with. Although classical music is exceedingly beautiful, it may seem stuffy to many, because of this unfamiliarity. 

If you’re looking for a mood that’s less formal and more approachable, pop is a great way to do it. We’re all about making your wedding day as easy and stress-free as possible (like that favorite bottle of wine) so let’s create a musical landscape that makes you comfortable!

  • It’s Fresh

Pop music is constantly evolving. The top singles and top albums change weekly. 

If you’re a trendsetter and always have your finger on the pulse of what’s hot right now, pop music might be a great vehicle to reflect your personality and allow your guests to see you as a one-of-a-kind couple.

  • It’s YOU

And is there really anything else to say? Your wedding ceremony is the one thing that should be exactly your style, so let’s do this right!

So, there you have it! I hope that this was a helpful intro to pop wedding ceremony music and why this route might be a good choice for you.

If you’re looking for inspiration, take a spin through our wedding ceremony ideas and get access to 25 already done for you templates to mix & match ideas. There’s some classical in there, but the settings are mostly pop! And no worries, we’ll be back with a post about wedding ceremony structure and events very soon. Hang tight.

Your guests will tell you that they're dancing to the best band in Chicago