Signed, Sealed, Delivered – String Quartet Signing the Register Music…

Signed, Sealed, Delivered – String Quartet Signing the Register Music…When it comes to choosing wedding string quartet (or string duo) music for your wedding ceremony, the choices of pieces for the signing of the register can be the trickiest to choose. After all, the entrance of the bride (the processional) may only involve a minute or two of music being played; whilst the exit of the bride and groom (the recessional) is accompanied by applause and is often drowned out by the sounds of guests chatting and enjoying themselves. The music for signing the register in a civil ceremony or church service on the other hand, can often be heard in its entirety…..and is more likely to be heard in its entirety.

Many couples opt for classical music in their ceremony as it lends a sense of occasion and gracefulness to the proceedings. But choosing classical music for the signing of the register can be quite challenging, as although many couples recognize and like a lot of pieces, unless they are regular classical listeners, they can’t necessarily put a name to them. So always ask your string quartet or wedding musicians for advice and wedding music tips as they’ve often played at hundreds of weddings and have therefore can suggest pieces which work particularly well. Ask your players for a list of pieces of classical music – they will be only too happy to offer advice and suggestions.

When it comes to your choice of music for signing the register, try and keep the mood relaxing yet uplifting. Whereas the purpose of the entrance music is to gain the attention of the guests and the exit music is more celebratory, the formalities of the signing require a slightly more subdued choice of music, so opting for a slightly slower paced style can help create interest and yet still allow the registrar to make announcements. Be aware that although the signing music for Church ceremonies can have a religious connotation, this will not be allowed during a civil ceremony (so ‘Ave Maria’ may be off the list!).

Nowadays, many couples opt to have modern songs played by a string quartet during the signing of the register, as it means they can choose pieces which are significant to both of them, or a song they particularly enjoy (a good example would be Elbow: ‚ÄòOne Day Like This,‚Äô which has proved very popular). Many string quartets have arranged and play modern pop and rock songs, so would be only too willing to play these during the signing of the register. This is a video of our group performing ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours’ by Stevie Wonder:

Here is a list of our top ten most popular wedding pieces the string quartet is asked to play whilst couples sign the register:

Classical 

Bach Air in D

Bach ‘Sheep May Safely Graze’

Boccherini Minuet

Franck Panis Angelicus

Debussy  Clair de Lune

Delibes ¬†Flower Duet from ‘Lakme’

Saint Saens  The Swan

Elgar ¬†Salut D’Amour

Faure  Pavane

Handel  Water Music Air in F

Puccini  O Mio Babbino Caro

Modern Songs for Signing the Register

Stevie Wonder: Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours

Ben E. King: Stand By Me

Carpenters: (They Long To Be) Close to You

Eva Cassidy: Songbird

U2: Beautiful Day

Take That: Greatest Day

Aerosmith: Don’t Want To Miss A Thing

La’s: There She Goes

Elbow: One Day Like This

Stevie Wonder: You Are the Sunshine of My Life