70 Best Instrumental Songs for Weddings
Make your wedding ceremony just a little classier with instrumental songs. It doesn’t have to be The Lawrence Welk Show your parents made you watch. You’d be surprised at some of the covers. One of the most lovely second weddings we saw was the bride walking down the aisle to “Daughters” by John Mayer. It was especially tearful because both the bride and groom had young daughters from previous marriages. What a way to begin a blended family.
How Would You Define Instrumental Music?
You may be thinking of Bach and Beethoven. But according to the Dictionary, instrumental is music written for or performed on musical instruments and doesn’t include a song. Instrumental songs are typically written for solo instruments like the piano, violin, or guitar. But can also include trumpet, saxophone, and even string quartets (commonly two violin players, a viola player, and a cellist).
We tend to categorize this type of instrumentation as stuffy chamber music. It doesn’t have to be. If you haven’t heard a string quartet play The Beatles, you have missed out!
Why Would I Want an Instrumental Song at My Wedding?
Instrumental songs are simply songs sung without lyrics or verbiage. Instrumental songs can be used during events in the wedding ceremony such as the processional, recessional, unity candle lighting, and more. Instrumental songs can also be played during a wedding reception including during the cocktail and dinner hours, cake cutting, grand entrance, or introductions.
Instrumental music is simple to the listener, allowing for conversation. We get distracted by lyrics. What’s more, is instrumental music is completely appropriate for small venues. With COVID-adjusted weddings, instrumental music is a fantastic choice.
What Genres are Covered in the Instrumental Category?
Covers of mainstream songs are commonplace for the jazz genre. They choose a strong melody, play it, and each instrument has a turn riffing on it. When selecting instrumental music for your wedding, consider different types of instrumental songs such as recorded music artists of the piano, guitar, sax, and harpists.
Wedding planners can also consider popular classical music composers like Mozart and Bach. In addition, you can include many big band musicians of today and yesteryear.
Top 10 Current Classical Songs
These are popular downloads on Amazon.
- Mute City – Alina Smolina
- Make Ice – Alina Smolina
- Work – Alina Smolina
- These Are The Special Times (Momenti Splendidi) – Jonathan Antoine and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- The Prayer – Andrea Bocelli feat. Céline Dion
- Over the Rainbow – Yo-Yo Ma & Kathryn Stott
- Song Without Words, Op. 109 – Yo-Yo Ma & Kathryn Stott
- Hail to the Chief – US Marine Band
- Moon – George Winston
- Fall On Me – Andrea Bocelli & Matteo Bocelli
When considering instrumental music for your wedding, live music during the wedding gives intimacy to your special day. For example, bagpipes can play as a grand entrance, a harpist can play during a wedding ceremony, a three-piece band (lead singer, guitarist, drummer, etc.) can perform at wedding reception to encourage dancing.
Instrumental Covers of Hit Songs For Weddings
Wedding couples who want to have current songs on the radio incorporated into their weddings definitely can. This is where hiring a musician can help out. However, not every radio hit is perfect for every event of a wedding. This is when it is great to have pre-recorded versions. We wouldn’t recommend “Creep” by Radiohead for your wedding, maybe, but this version is amazing.
When Are Instrumental Songs Appropriate for My Wedding?
Not only can you play instrumental songs during cocktail hour and mealtime, but during the unity candle, processional, recessional, and while guests arrive at the venue. Depending on your type of event and the music you like, The Piano Guys’ version of “A Thousand Years” would make for a fantastic first dance song. Along with The Piano Guys, another popular instrumental music artist is Vitamin String Quartet. With instrumental versions of hit songs “Stay With Me” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” Vitamin String Quartet will remain on wedding playlists for years to come. Brooklyn Duo (piano and cello) absolutely kill “All of Me” by John Legend. (I’m not crying; you’re crying.)
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- A Thousand Years – The Piano Guys
- Bless the Broken Road – The Piano Guys
- Stay With Me – Vitamin String Quartet
- Can’t Help Falling in Love – Vitamin String Quartet
- Such Great Heights – The Section Quartet
- Secrets – Dallas String Quartet
- I Will Wait – 2Cellos
- Nothing Else Matters – Scott D. Davis
- Without You – Josh Vietti
- Have I Told You Lately That I Love You – United Guitar Players
- Marry Me – United Guitar Players
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World – Relaxation Guitar Maestro
- All Of Me – O’Neill Brothers Group
- I Won’t Give Up – O’Neill Brothers Group
- Here Comes the Sun – Instrumental Songs Music
Similar Song Lists:
Best Wedding Instrumental Songs
This curated list represents our favorite best instrumental songs for your wedding. Instrumental songs will make it just that much more special. Did we neglect to mention your favorite?
Instrumental wedding song lists curated by Matthew Campbell
Last Updated: February 1, 2021
| Song | Amazon Link | |
|---|---|---|
| 2cellos I Will Wait 2015, Classical |  | |
| 2cellos Moon River 2017, Classical | | |
| 40 Fingers, Emanuele Grafitti, Enrico Maria Milanesi, Andrea Vittori, and Matteo Brenci Disney Medley 2019, New Age | | |
| Alan Parsons Project Sirius 1982, Rock | | |
| Alan Silvestri Portals 2019, New Age | | |
| Antonio Vivaldi Autumn 1725, Classical | | |
| Antonio Vivaldi Spring 1725, Classical | | |
| Antonio Vivaldi Winter 1725, Classical | | |
| Barrymoore Chamber Orchestra Pachelbel's Canon in D 2003, Classical | | |
| Bill Conti/Cincinnati Pops Orchestra (Gonna Fly Now) Rocky Theme 1977, Orchestral | | |
| Booker T. & The MG’s Green Onions 1962, R&B | | |
| Brooklyn Duo Canon in D 2019, Classical | | |
| Claude Debussy Claire De Lune 2012, Classical | | |
| Craig Armstrong Glasgow Love Theme 2004, Pop | | |
| Dallas String Quartet Secrets 2011, Pop | | |
| Daniel Jang Can’t Help Falling In Love 2018, Pop | | |
| Danny Elfman Mission Impossible Theme 1996, Orchestral | | |
| David Grisman & Tony Rice Banks Of The Ohio 2017, Folk | | |
| Duane Eddy Rebel Rouser 1958, Rockabilly | | |
| Emeralds Chicken Dance aka The Bird Dance 1982, Polka | | |
| Ennio Morricone Gabriel’s Oboe 1986, Classical | | |
| Enya Book Of Days 1991, New Age | | |
| Enya Caribbean Blue 1991, New Age | | |
| Enya Fairytale 1987, New Age | | |
| Enya Only Time 2000, New Age | | |
| Felix Mendelssohn Wedding March 1842, Classical | | |
| Gamers Jeopardy Theme 1964, Classical | | |
| George F Handel Air 1741, Classical | | |
| George F Handel Allegro Maestoso 1741, Classical | | |
| George F Handel Hallelujah Chorus 1741, Classical | | |
| George F Handel Hornpipe 1741, Classical | | |
| George F Handel Overture 1741, Classical | | |
| George F Handel The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba 1741, Classical | | |
| George Winston Joy 1982, New Age | | |
| Golden Salt Nothing Else Matters 2019, Rock | | |
| Hauser Air on a G String 2020, Classical | | |
| Hauser River Flows in You 2019, Classical | | |
| Henry Mancini Pink Panther Theme 1963, Jazz | | |
| Henry Purcell Rondeau Late 1600s, Classical | | |
| Henry Purcell Trumpet Tune 1700, Classical | | |
| Instrumental Songs Music Here Comes the Sun 2010 Soft Rock | | |
| Jeremiah Clarke The Prince of Denmark’s March “Trumpet Voluntary” 1700, Classical | | |
| Johann Pachelbel Canon In D Major 1680s, Classical | | |
| Johann S Bach Air On A G String Early 1700s, Classical | | |
| Johann S Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 Early 1700s, Classical | | |
| Johann S Bach Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring 1716, Classical | | |
| John Williams Jaws Theme 1975, Orchestral | | |
| John Williams Star Wars Theme 1977, Orchestral | | |
| John Williams Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Symphonic Suite 2019, Classical | | |
| Josh Vietti Without You 2012, Pop | | |
| Kenny G Forever In Love 1993, Jazz | | |
| Kenny G The Wedding Song 1993, Jazz | | |
| Lindsey Stirling Underground 2019, Electronic | | |
| London Philharmonic Orchestra Wedding March: Recessional 2013, Classical | | |
| Luca Stricagnoli Feel Good Inc. 2017, Folk | | |
| Ludwig van Beethoven Ode To Joy 1824, Classical | | |
| Mark Knopfler Storybook Love (Princess Bride Theme) 1987, Orchestral | | |
| Massimo Nosetti André Campra: Rigaudon 2012, Classical | | |
| O’Neill Brothers Group All Of Me 2014, Pop | | |
| O’Neill Brothers Group God Bless the Broken Road 2013, Pop | | |
| O’Neill Brothers Group I Won’t Give Up 2013, Pop | | |
| O’Neill Brothers The Prayer 2005, Pop | | |
| Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Coronation March 1891, Classical | | |
| Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Romeo And Juliet Love Theme 1880, Classical | | |
| Relaxation Guitar Maestro Somewhere Over the Rainbow - What a Wonderful World 2012 | | |
| Richard Wagner / Otto Sieben Bridal Chorus 1850, Classical | | |
| Riya Jane "Arjay" Yulde Perfect (Instrumental) 2019, New Age | | |
| Roberto Dalla Vecchia Let It Be Me 2018, Folk | | |
| Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Highland Cathedral 1982, International | | |
| Scott D. Davis Nothing Else Matters 2006, Folk Rock | | |
| Section Quartet Such Great Heights 2007, Rock | | |
| The Piano Guys A Thousand Years 2012, Pop | | |
| The Piano Guys Beethoven's 5 Secrets 2012, Classical | | |
| The Piano Guys Bless the Broken Road 2020, 10 | | |
| The Piano Guys Over the Rainbow / Simple Gifts 2012, Classical | | |
| The Piano Guys Story of My Life 2014, Classical | | |
| The Piano Guys The Cello Song 2012, Classical | | |
| The Piano Guys Thinking Out Loud 2020, 10 | | |
| Thomas Newman Fellowship 2019, Classical | | |
| United Guitar Players Have I Told You Lately That I Love You 2014, New Age | | |
| United Guitar Players Marry Me 2014, New Age | | |
| Verve Bitter Sweet Symphony (Instrumental) 2010, Classical | | |
| Vitamin String Quartet 1,2,3,4 2010, Pop | | |
| Vitamin String Quartet Can’t Help Falling in Love 2008, Pop | | |
| Vitamin String Quartet Stay With Me 2014, Pop | | |
| Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Wedding March Late 1700s, Classical | | |
| Yiruma Kiss The Rain 2001, New Age | | |
| Yiruma River Flows In You 2011, New Age | | |
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