This page outlines wedding music for classical and fingerstyle guitar. All sheet music selections exist with options such as notation only, TAB, video performances, lessons, and helpful tips on how to play weddings.
How does the music work at a wedding ceremony?
You can also see my full article on how to play weddings on This is Classical Guitar. In summary:
- Before the ceremony: Light background music
- Seating of family: Light background music
- Groomsmen and Bridesmaids: Bridesmaids commonly get their own music
- Flower and Ring Girl/Boy: Sometimes get their own music
- Bride: The bride gets her own specific music
- Signing: A solid contemplative piece, pick something comfortable
- Walk away: Something cheerful and celebratory
Wedding Music for Classical Guitar (PDF, Notation, Tab, Videos)
- Hardcopy Book: Need TAB and 50 pieces: See my hardcopy book Classical Guitar Tab: 50 Iconic Solos book on Amazon. Includes many of the below pieces.
- Ceremony Music (Bridal Walk, Flower Girls, Etc)
- Bach: Air ‘On the G String’ for Guitar, Gr.4, Baroque, Notation or TAB
- Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Gr.4, Baroque, Free Notation or TAB
- Schubert: Ave Maria, Gr.4, Romantic, Notation or TAB
- Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Gr. 5, Baroque, Free Notation or TAB
- The Skye Boat Song (Outlander Theme), Gr.2, Celtic, Notation & TAB
- Great for the Signing
- Bach: Prelude - Cello Suite BWV 1007, Gr.7, Baroque, Free Notation or TAB
- Bach / Petzold: Minuet in G, Anh. 114, Gr.4, Baroque, Notation or TAB
- Bach: Air ‘On the G String’ for Guitar, Gr.4, Baroque, Notation or TAB
- Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Gr.4, Baroque, Free Notation or TAB
- More Gig Stuff
- Easy Classical Guitar, Vol. 1, Gr. 1-3, Notation & Notation + TAB, Videos
- Easy Celtic Guitar Vol. 1, Grade 1-4, Notation & Notation & TAB, Free PDFs
- Non-Traditional Ceremony Music from the Guitar Repertoire
- Tarrega: Estudio / Study in C, Gr.3, Romantic, Lesson, Free Notation or TAB
- Molino: Romance, Gr. 3, Romantic, Lesson, Notation or TAB
- Anonymous: Spanish Romance – Romanza, Gr. 5, Romantic, Free Notation or TAB
- Llobet: El Noi de la Mare, Gr. 7, Spanish folk song, Free Notation or TAB
- Llobet: El Testament d'Ameila, Gr.7, Spanish folk song, Free Notation or TAB
- Tarrega: Lágrima (Tear) - Preludio, Gr.4, Romantic, Lesson, Free Notation or TAB
Other ideas for pieces:
- Processional: “Trumpet Voluntary” (J. Clark); “Trumpet Tune” (H. Purcell) ; “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (J.S. Bach); “March” from Occasional Oratorio (G.F. Handel) are all good choices. If the bride is not using the “Canon in D” by Pachelbel then you can consider using it here.
- For Bride: “Canon in D” (J. Pachelbel); “The Bridal Chorus” from Lohengrin (R. Wagner); “Allegro Maestoso” from Water Music (G.F. Handel); “Rondeau” (J.J. Mouret). Sometimes the bride will choose something. Anything that is walkable and played as ‘the most special piece of music ever’ will work. They will likely want to hear this piece beforehand.
- For the Signing: My favourite is “Ave Maria”. It’s perfect, major key but with lots of key areas and sections. it’s somewhat reflective and peaceful. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring is also great. Anything will do but save the energetic stuff for the walk away or the after party.
- Walk Away: Something cheerful and exciting. However, people will often be clapping and cheering so it won’t matter too much. Any classical fanfare or bright major key piece works well. “The Wedding March” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (F. Mendelssohn); “Ode to Joy” (L. Beethoven); “Hornpipe” (G.F. Handel).