Choosing your ceremony music is one of the nicest parts of planning a wedding. This guide has 45 of the most popular violin wedding songs, sorted by the moment they’re played: guests arriving, walking down the aisle, signing the register, the exit and the drinks reception. Most come from what our own couples ask our violinists to play.
Want to plan it all on one page? Download our free printable ceremony music planner.
Jump to a moment
- Songs for guests arriving
- Walking down the aisle
- Signing the register
- The exit, as a married couple
- The drinks reception
- Tips for choosing your songs
The top 10 violin wedding songs
- Canon in D, Pachelbel
- A Thousand Years, Christina Perri
- Perfect, Ed Sheeran
- Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride), Wagner
- All of Me, John Legend
- Can't Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley
- Wedding March, Mendelssohn
- A Sky Full of Stars, Coldplay
- Air on the G String, J.S. Bach
- Make You Feel My Love, Bob Dylan (Adele)
Songs for guests arriving
The violinist usually starts about 30 minutes before the ceremony. That's around 8 to 10 pieces, so you don't need to choose them all. Pick two or three favourites and let your violinist fill the rest from their repertoire. Relaxed, familiar tunes work best.
| Song | Style | Why couples choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Air on the G String J.S. Bach | Classical | Calm and graceful, it settles everyone straight away. |
| Spring, from The Four Seasons Vivaldi | Classical | Bright and happy, perfect for a spring or summer wedding. |
| Clair de Lune Debussy | Classical | Soft and dreamy, lovely in a candlelit room. |
| Can't Help Falling in Love Elvis Presley | Modern | Instantly recognisable, and guests love spotting it. |
| Yellow Coldplay | Modern | A gentle, warm favourite that works beautifully on violin. |
| Hallelujah Leonard Cohen | Modern | Moving and well known. Check with your registrar for a civil ceremony. |
| La Vie en Rose Edith Piaf | Classic song | Romantic and a little bit Parisian. |
| Somewhere Only We Know Keane | Modern | Wistful and calm, a favourite with British couples. |
| Wonderwall Oasis | Modern | A fun surprise that gets smiles from the back rows. |
Walking down the aisle
One song, timed so it reaches a natural end as you arrive at the front. Tell your violinist roughly how long the walk is. If bridesmaids or a flower girl walk first, some couples choose a separate song for them.
| Song | Style | Why couples choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Canon in D Pachelbel | Classical | The most popular entrance of all. It builds beautifully and can be stopped at any point. |
| Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) Wagner | Classical | The traditional choice, instantly recognised by every guest. |
| A Thousand Years Christina Perri | Modern | Romantic, slow and made for the aisle. |
| Perfect Ed Sheeran | Modern | A modern classic. Guests often recognise it within two notes. |
| A Million Dreams The Greatest Showman | Film | Hopeful and magical, a favourite for film lovers. |
| Thinking Out Loud Ed Sheeran | Modern | Warm and romantic, with a steady pace for walking. |
| Linger The Cranberries | Modern | A lovely choice from one of our own 2027 couples. |
| Make You Feel My Love Bob Dylan (Adele) | Modern | Gentle and heartfelt. |
| Ave Maria Schubert | Classical | Beautiful in a church. Not usually allowed in a civil ceremony. |
Signing the register
Signing takes about 5 to 10 minutes, so choose two or three pieces. This is a good moment for a song with a special meaning, because everyone is relaxed and listening.
| Song | Style | Why couples choose it |
|---|---|---|
| All of Me John Legend | Modern | One of the most requested songs for the register. |
| One Day Like This Elbow | Modern | Uplifting and very British. Another of our 2027 couples' picks. |
| Meditation, from Thaïs Massenet | Classical | One of the most beautiful violin pieces ever written. |
| Salut d'Amour Elgar | Classical | Written by Elgar as an engagement present for his wife. |
| Somewhere Over the Rainbow Harold Arlen | Classic song | Sweet and nostalgic, and a gentle favourite. |
| Fix You Coldplay | Modern | Slow and emotional, with a big ending. |
| Chasing Cars Snow Patrol | Modern | A simple, beautiful melody that suits the violin. |
| Love Story Taylor Swift | Modern | Fun and romantic, for a Swiftie couple. |
| The Swan Saint-Saëns | Classical | Elegant and calm. |
The exit, as a married couple
Something joyful and upbeat as you walk back up the aisle together. The violinist keeps playing while your guests follow you out.
| Song | Style | Why couples choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding March Mendelssohn | Classical | The traditional exit. Big, bold and happy. |
| A Sky Full of Stars Coldplay | Modern | Euphoric, and a 2027 couple's choice for their exit. |
| Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) Stevie Wonder | Modern | Fun, and the title says it all. |
| Arrival of the Queen of Sheba Handel | Classical | Fast and sparkling. |
| Ode to Joy Beethoven | Classical | Triumphant, and everyone knows it. |
| Viva la Vida Coldplay | Modern | A big, celebratory sound on the violin. |
| Mr Brightside The Killers | Modern | Guests will be singing by the door. |
| You Make My Dreams Hall & Oates | Modern | Pure happiness. |
| Don't Stop Me Now Queen | Modern | For a couple who want to leave on a high. |
The drinks reception
While you have your photos taken, the violinist plays a relaxed mix for 1 to 2 hours. You don't need a list here. Just tell your violinist the mood you want, and any favourites or songs to avoid.
| Song | Style | Why couples choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Czardas Monti | Classical | A show-stopper that makes guests stop and watch. |
| Hungarian Dance No. 5 Brahms | Classical | Lively and dramatic. |
| Libertango Piazzolla | Tango | Stylish and a little bit sultry. |
| Valerie Amy Winehouse version | Modern | Upbeat and fun with a glass of fizz. |
| Dancing Queen ABBA | Modern | Always a crowd-pleaser. |
| Shut Up and Dance Walk the Moon | Modern | Bright and full of energy. |
| Uptown Funk Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars | Modern | Brilliant on an electric violin. |
| Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond | Classic song | Expect a few guests to join in. |
| Irish jigs and reels Traditional | Folk | Wonderful for a Celtic or country wedding. |
Planning a film-themed or modern wedding? Here is Cantata playing a favourite from The Greatest Showman:
Tips for choosing your wedding songs
- Start with the aisle song. It’s the one moment everyone remembers. Choose that first, and the rest falls into place.
- Check the rules for your ceremony. In a civil ceremony in England and Wales, music with religious words (such as hymns or Ave Maria) usually isn’t allowed. Your registrar can tell you. Churches have their own rules, so ask the vicar.
- Send your violinist a link. If you love a particular version of a song, send a YouTube link so they know exactly which one you mean.
- Ask what’s already in their repertoire. Most violinists already play hundreds of pieces. A brand new song may need learning: some violinists include a few new songs in the price, while others charge a small fee for each one. We always tell you which when we quote.
- Agree the cue. Your violinist needs to know when to start your entrance song. Usually they watch the doors, or the registrar gives a nod. Tell your venue coordinator too.
- Don’t over-plan the drinks reception. A few favourites, the mood you want and any songs to avoid is plenty. Your violinist will read the room.
- Acoustic or electric? An acoustic violin is perfect for the ceremony. For a party feel later on, an electric violinist plays over backing tracks.
Free printable ceremony music planner
Write down your song for each moment, the timings and who gives the cue, then share it with your violinist and venue. Download the ceremony music planner (free, no sign-up).
Find a violinist to play your songs
Every violinist on our team has real performance videos on their profile, so you can hear how they play before you choose. Meet our violinists, read about ceremony music moment by moment, or see what a wedding violinist costs.