As a pianist of modest abilities, I am asked to play the prelude and processional music for weddings from time to time. The processional is usually prechosen, but I am usually given free reign as to what to play for the prelude. Naturally, I try to avoid many of the more cliché pieces, and work in some less familiar works.
Would any of you have suggestions for solo piano works that might be appropriate (upbeat and melodic, with a full sound, not too show-offy-sounding)?
When my wife and I took the trip to the altar, at my request our pianist played a piano arrangement of Raff's famous Cavatina as a prelude. Beautiful piece, not difficult, and had a meaning for me. For the postlude, Grieg's Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, but then that's probably more common.
Erkki Melartin's Festive March from Sleeping Beauty, op. 22, is used as a wedding march in Finland. It is available in an arrangement for piano solo on IMSLP.