12 September 2024

Unusual Songs for a Church Wedding

To celebrate the end of the wedding season, today we want to share the most "unusual" pieces we've played at church weddings over the past two years. Among the many requests, we have selected five that are not typically associated with a church wedding.

Yes, we do play many pieces only once per season. However, they cannot really be considered unusual. Why would Ave Maria by G. Caccini, Panis Angelicus by C. Franck, or Ave Verum by W. A. Mozart be unusual? These pieces are strongly linked to the Mass (not just wedding ceremonies), but nowadays, more and more couples are looking for songs that have a personal meaning to them. So, Ave Maria by Schubert is not played at every wedding, but instead, the versions by Gounod or Caccini (or, more precisely, Vladimir Vavilov, about whom you can read in another post) are also requested. Instead of Canon in D by Pachelbel for the bridal entrance, we now play a different piece almost every time.

We will now describe the songs that highlighted the personality and preferences of the couples, fitting perfectly with the wedding atmosphere, even though they are not typically considered part of the wedding repertoire.

1. My Heart Will Go On - Céline Dion

The iconic Titanic theme was extremely popular when the film was a global sensation. Nowadays, it is rarely played, despite its undeniable beauty and romantic nature. That's why I was very surprised when I learned that one couple had chosen this melody for their entrance into married life. I must admit, the piece sounded particularly romantic in the small church of Brancolino.

2. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers

The theme from the movie Ghost. We originally prepared this piece for our Valentine's Day concerts, which focused on romantic movie themes. Thanks to these events, our repertoire has grown significantly, although much of it remains unused for a long time. This sheet music sat in storage, unnoticed, until one bride told us that Ghost was her favorite film and that she had always dreamed of having Unchained Melody played at her wedding.

Fulfilling this dream turned out to be quite a challenge, as the priest strongly opposed the performance of the song, arguing that it was not liturgical. However, we made it work. It wasn't easy, and it required extensive diplomatic negotiations, but in the end, we played it. And ultimately, the priest admitted: “After all, it was beautiful.”

3. La vita è bella - Nicola Piovani

The original wedding repertoire was supposed to be traditional—Ave Maria, Air on the G String—but when the couple realized that the priest, a family friend, was open-minded and that we were flexible with suggestions, they chose songs that truly represented them. And it worked wonderfully! The wedding was a Polish-Italian celebration, and the guests were from both countries, just like the members of our quartet—an unexpected coincidence. And let's be honest: isn't the theme from La Vita è Bella just perfect for a wedding?

4. Now we are free - Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard

The theme from Gladiator. I must admit, I never expected this choice for a wedding—after all, marriage is usually associated with the opposite of freedom, and certainly not "Now We Are Free." Not for those who have seen Gladiator, at least. Personally, I love this song—for Lisa Gerrard's haunting vocals, the atmosphere, and its captivating melody. It made me realize that music has layers of meaning we sometimes fail to grasp. But the couple understood. They saw true love in this piece and chose it for their ceremony.

5. Il mondo - Jimmy Fontana

One of the late father of the bride's favorite songs. It was a surprise at the end of the ceremony and one of the most touching moments we have ever witnessed at a wedding. A moment filled with nostalgia for those who are no longer with us, yet also full of love for those who remain. A moment of great emotional depth, where music itself was put to the test. A moment where we, as musicians, fully realized the gift we have in sharing music. It was all thanks to the groom, who asked us for a special arrangement of the song.

Remember, this is your special day, not anyone else's. At the same time, be mindful of the solemnity of the occasion. If you're getting married in a church, it's always worth discussing with the musicians and the priest, because as we've shown you, anything is possible. And for us, there is no greater joy than being part of these wonderful moments.