Strings, Sweats, and Sort-of-Serious Choices: A Cellist’s Guide to Your Wedding Soundtrack

So, you’ve decided to hire a cellist for your wedding. Excellent choice! You’ve immediately added a 90% chance of making your guests weep (in a good way) and a 100% chance of looking classy.

As a wedding cellist, I’ve played everything from Bach to Blink-182. But I know the feeling: you’re staring at a Spotify playlist, trying to pick the music that says “I love you,” “We’re sophisticated,” and “Please don’t fall over in this dress,” all while trying to avoid the musical equivalent of a beige wedding.

Here is a funny, slightly sarcastic, sorry, guide to choosing your wedding music when a cello is involved.

1. The “Aisle Walk” – Stop Trying to Walk Fast

• The Problem: You have chosen a high-tempo, upbeat song for your big entrance.
• The Reality: A cellist can only play so fast without sounding like a trapped bee. Plus, if you walk too fast, you miss the drama!
• The Fix: Pick something with a slow, steady, and dramatic swell. Think Bridgerton vibes or a classical-pop cover of a ballad. Trust me, a slightly slower tempo makes your entrance look more “regal” and less “I’m running late to my own party”.

2. The “No, That Probably Won’t Work” Moment

• The Problem: You’re thinking, “I really want a heavy metal song, but I also want a classy cello.”
• The Reality: If you care about it—I’ll play it. If it doesn’t exist for cello yet—I’ll arrange it.
• The Fix: Don’t be afraid to ask for “random” stuff. I’ve seen 80s nostalgia, Bollywood, and even 00s slow jams on a solo cello, and it works! It’s your day, make it a soundtrack, not a checklist.

3. The “Signing the Register” – The “Don’t Look at Me” Moment

• The Problem: The signing of the register is essentially ten minutes of you, your partner, and two witnesses staring at a piece of paper in awkward silence while everyone watches.
• The Reality: The music here needs to be beautiful but not distracting.
• The Fix: This is the perfect time for a beautiful classical piece or a slow pop cover, maybe something from Lord of the Rings or a heartfelt ballad. Something that says “we are signing, but look at how lovely this cello sounds”.

4. The “Recessional” – The “We Did It” Song

• The Problem: You want to walk out, but you’ve picked a song that sounds like a funeral march.
• The Reality: You’re married! Time to celebrate! You want something upbeat here—something that will send you off into the world as husband and wife with a skip in your step.
• The Fix: Think faster, happier, and maybe something with a bit of “swing”.

Summary Checklist for a Happy Cellist (and Guests)

• Start Early: Booking 6–12 months in advance is key to securing your musician.
• Trust Your Gut: If a song makes you smile (or cry), it’s the one.
• Be Open-Minded: If a song doesn’t work, we can usually find a way to make it work!
• Don’t Overthink It: The best music is the music that’s personal to you, not the music that’s “supposed” to be played.

Now, go listen to some cello covers and get ready for a beautiful (and slightly dramatic) day!