15 Wedding Ceremony Postlude Selections

A wedding ceremony postlude isn't mandatory, but it's a great way to pump up your guests for the post-ceremony party to follow.
Bride and groom wedding ceremony recessional
Kay English Photography

It ain't over 'til it's over. Planning a postlude -- continuous music that plays as guests exit the ceremony space -- is optional. If you have a large guest list, however, you might want to account for about 10 minutes worth of music following the wedding ceremony recessional (although you probably wouldn't list it in your ceremony program). The aim? Making sure your guests exit quickly and elegantly to the sound of music rather than rustling feet. Try to keep the mood upbeat and celebratory. Here are some options:

1. "Allegro Maestoso for Organ in C Major" (Felix Mendelssohn)
2. "Carillon de Westminster" (Louis Vierne)
3. "Feelin' Alright" (Joe Cocker)
4. "For The Beauty Of The Earth" (traditional hymn)
5. "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" (William M. Runyan)
6. "Harp Concerto in B Flat Major: Allegro Moderato" (George F. Handel)
7. "La Rejouissance" (George F. Handel)
8. "Musette's Waltz" (from La Boheme), (Giacomo Puccini)
9. "Now Thank We All Our God" (Sigfried Karg-Elert)
10. "Oh! Had I Jubal's Lyre" (George F. Handel)
11. "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" (Sergi Rachmaninoff)
12. "String Quartet in C Major, Op. 76, No. 3: Allegro (Austrian Hymn)" (Franz Joseph Haydn)
13. "Trumpet Voluntary" (Jeremiah Clarke)
14. "To God Be the Glory" (William H. Doane)
15. "When the Saints Go Marching In" (traditional)

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