According to www2.stetson.edu a song becomes a classic when it is instantly recognized by a large number of people. Secondly, it should evoke a universal idea, a distinct mood or an event. Lastly, it must exemplify and belong to a sub-genre and retain these characteristics beyond its initial popularity.

For purposes of clarity, the first definition above is correct but still seems vague, so forums.kickassclassical.com approaches the definition with fresh insight.

Their definition does include European and Western art music originally penned during what is called the genre of the “common practice period” which was from the 1600’s to the 1900’s. This includes all music created after this period still following its style and tradition, which was created for the sake of the music style itself. Wikipedia further describes this period as neither modal which was the previous style, nor atonal which preceded it. In simple terms this genre obeyed a particular style in the use of scales and chords.

But of course there will some be some exceptions, as there will and are cases wherein the music transcends above the genre and can still be classified termed as classic.

Weddings evoke a lot of tradition and emotion, and its music is usually used to accompany a certain event to set in a targeted mood for the guests and the celebrants. The use of classic songs make a connection with the past and parlays a feeling of continuity of the union, as it is always wished their relationship can withstand the test of time.

Besides the music, contemporary weddings still manifest many other “classic” traditions such as the bridal gown, the rose bouquet, the royal style entourage and many others. This period spanned the Baroque to the Romantic periods, which was the European explosion of art, love and poetry, which many still see and refer to as the golden age of man.

Little boys still dream to be a dashing prince one day and little girls aspire to make a perfect princess bride to capture the prince’s hearts forever. This classic imagery is still appreciated today as it is a matter of fact that royal weddings have always made global headlines. Just a hint of it, makes the whole word swoon.

So these top ten classic songs are the most popularly used according to forums and other resource sites and will be useful list when choosing the right wedding music for the prince or princess in you.

Pachelbel’s Canon In D.

Johann Pachelbel was a very important baroque composer of German descent. He penned a lot of important sacred and secular music. He had many pupils and eventually many co-composers. This is his most famous piece and was written in 1680, but its score was only rediscovered and published in the 1920’s and has since been adapted into many versions and speeds, which have been used from string quartet’s to a full chamber orchestra.

Mendelssohn’s Wedding March.

One of the best known scores from Felix Mendelssohn which in 1842 was used in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. But its real rise in fame is attached to its choice for use in the recessional during the royal nuptials of Princess Victoria to Prince Frederick William on January 25, 1858.

Bach’s Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring.

One of the 32 surviving Cantata’s by Germany’s Johann Sebastian Bach is originally titled in his native tongue as "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben”. This was published in 1928 for the solo piano and in 1934 as a duet, but has since evolved to be played slowly in wedding ceremonies.

Jenkins’ Palladio

The Welsch composer Karl Jenkins penned this baroque concerto piece in tribute to the 16th century architect Andrea Palladio. It is a three-movement piece for a String Orchestra and was written in the contemporary age. He started as a jazz musician and made a mark in the advertising industry. He is still active and alive as of this writing.

Boccherini’s Minuet

Luigi Boccherini was an Italian composer known for his chamber music. He established himself in Rome with his fame spiraling at the famous Paris Concert Spirituel in 1768. This was his most enduring piece and is generally played today in its original form.

Mozart’s Marriage Of Figaro Overture

The German Classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a prodigy that composed over 600 works. This work was also translated as the “Day of Madness” as this opera was a satire of the aristocracy and was considered as dangerous before the French revolution.

Wagner’s Wedding March

This is generally known as “Here Comes the Bride”. This is the standard music for the bridal entrance in much of the western world.

Debussy’s Clair De Lune

This is the French translation of “moonlight” and was written for the piano by Achille-Claude DeBussy. He was known not only as the most famous French composer but also as a key European composer in the Impressionist style.

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