In case you missed it, yours portly is getting married. Yesterday, I decided to sit down and figure out music for the ceremony (pending Dr. Fiancée’s approval, of course) so that our pianist—the incomparable Robert Mason Sandifer—can get to practicing.
I’m not selecting anything controversial or daring for the processional or recessional. I’ve asked Mason to have fun with the prelude music and to play some of his original compositions, but for the ceremony itself, it’s straight-up Baroque classics.
I’m drawn to trumpet-based pieces, which I think will translate well to the piano. For the processional/Dr. Fiancée’s entrance, I’m thinking of going with Jean-Joseph Mouret’s classic Rondeau, which listeners will recognize from Masterpiece Theatre.
Here’s a piano arrangement as performed by the YouTuber Piano Mountain, who is based out of the mountains of North Carolina:
Here’s a more traditional version, featuring trumpet and organ (you’ll have to click through to view it on YouTube directly):
For the recessional, I’m going with the Jeremiah Clarke classic Trumpet Voluntary (also known as The Prince of Denmark’s March, which I love):
Again, here’s a more traditional version:
What do you think, dear readers? Will Baroque splendor and opulence be the name of the game at my approaching nuptials? Or should I go for something more experimental, like German Expressionism?
Happy Listening!
—TPP
The Portly Politico 
Best wishes and many blessings for you and your fiancee, Tyler! I have a question… I’ve been a church pianist / organist for many years, now retired, and in my experience it was always the bride and/or her mom who chose the wedding music. Once in a while they just left it all up to me but that was rare. How is it that you’re the one doing this?
Just curious, I know you’ll do a fine job in choosing. 🙂 ❤
Love, Bette Cox https://www.bettecox.com/
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I had no idea that was the tradition, haha! Dr. F and I are approaching wedding planning as a team sport, as it were—we do what we can, when we can.
But it probably also has something to do with me being the musician. She trusts my judgment, but I will naturally ask Mason to play whatever she wants, especially when she’s coming down the aisle.
I’m learning more and more that there are all of these traditions of who is “supposed” to do what. I look at it as, “here is a list of tasks; I have time this week to do x, y, z; you have next week to do a, b, c.” It’s worked well for us!
Thanks, Bette! Hope you are well.
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First off, congratulations! When is the date?
Secondly, you seem to have an awful lot of ideas for what is essentially HER day! Yes, I know, a couple has to be involved but your role is turning up and saying I do! 😂😂😂
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22 November 2025, my friend!
Haha, we look at it as our day, but we really look at it as God Bringing us together in the holy sacrament of marriage. Our focus with the service is very much on God.
As for the rest of it, we just want our guests to have a blast! But, naturally, I defer to Dr. F; I want her to have the wedding she deserves!
Fortunately, she’s not a bridezilla, and I’m not a “groomzilla.” She’s often reminded me that it is my day, too (such as when selected my tuxedo). I just prefer to think of it as the two of us working together to put on a great ceremony and a great party for our guests, all of whom have taken the time and expense to celebrate the mystical union of two people into one through God.
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Good answer. 👍😉
It’s a shame we can’t be there to enjoy your blissful union. We’ll be there in spirit.
Will she take your name and keep hers also? For example, Dr Wife surname-cook? And was November a conscious choice or is it a case of as soon as feasible?
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I so wish y’all could come! I can send a save-the-date and/or invitation if for nothing other than your enjoyment!
Legally, she’ll keep her last name, but socially we’ll be The Cooks. The medical licensing boards apparently frown upon name changes, so to avoid putting her license into jeopardy, she’ll keep her maiden name legally, but she’ll go by “Dr. Cook” socially. Our kids will be Cooks.
Yes! We wanted to get married this year (I did especially), and that weekend is right before I am off for a week for Thanksgiving. She’s taken the week off as well, so we’ll have a nice little honeymoon the week of Thanksgiving.
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That sounds lovely, mate. I’m chuffed for you, for both of you. If Tina and I finally get over to the States, we’ll take you and the wife out for a belated celebration meal and somewhere nice, not the nearest McDonald’s! 😂😂
Where are you going for your honeymoon?
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Thank you so much! I am “chuffed” as well!
We’re going on a cruise of the Caribbean! I’ve never been on a cruise, and I am looking forward to it.
I would love for us to get over to y’all. I’ve always wanted to visit England.
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Hey, Tyler. Great music choices. I can’t wait to see some pictures of the wedding! And, have fun on the cruise. Don’t watch Trainwreck: Poop Cruise on Netflix!
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Haha, even I wouldn’t stoop so low, and I watch crap all the time! 😂
Thank you so much! I’ll definitely have some pictures up sometime in December (wedding is late November, with a Thanksgiving Week cruise, so it’ll probably be December before I can share pics).
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