Jewish Wedding Music: From the Processional to the Hora
A Jewish wedding has a few musical moments that guests wait for: the walk to the chuppah, the burst of celebration when the glass breaks, and the hora, when the couple goes up in chairs and the whole room dances in circles around them.
Here is what music typically goes where, and the Avalon acts whose song lists include Hava Nagila and other Jewish traditional songs.
Processional to the Chuppah
Many couples choose Hebrew songs for the processional, played softly on strings, piano or guitar. Others use classical pieces. Both work beautifully, and a string ensemble can play a mix.
- “Dodi Li” by Nira Chen
Its words come from the Song of Songs: "My beloved is mine, and I am his." A favorite for the bride's entrance.
- “Erev Shel Shoshanim” by Josef Hadar
A gentle, romantic melody often used as the processional.
- Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel
A classical option many couples pair with a Hebrew melody for the bride.
Canon in D recording page - Sunrise, Sunset by Jerry Bock
From Fiddler on the Roof, sung at its wedding scene. Popular for seating the grandparents.
Sunrise, Sunset recording page
Breaking the Glass: Siman Tov and Mazel Tov
When the glass breaks, guests shout "Mazel tov!" and the music should come in right away. The traditional song is "Siman Tov u'Mazal Tov," upbeat and clap-along, and it carries the couple back up the aisle.
Give the musicians a clear cue: the moment the glass breaks, not when the officiant finishes speaking.
The Hora and the Chair Lift
- “Hava Nagila” (traditional)
The hora song. It starts slow and builds to a frenzy.
- “Od Yishama” (traditional)
Joyful words from the wedding blessings, a natural follow-on.
- “Tzena, Tzena, Tzena” by Issachar Miron
Bouncy and familiar, keeps the circle moving.
- “Am Yisrael Chai” by Shlomo Carlebach
An energetic singalong to close out the hora set.
The hora is a circle dance, usually the first big dance of the reception. Guests link arms and circle the couple, then lift them up in chairs, often holding a napkin between them. Parents may be lifted too.
"Hava Nagila" is the classic hora song. Many bands continue into a medley of other Israeli and Jewish songs so the dancing can run 10 to 15 minutes. Plan for sturdy armless chairs and a few strong volunteers.
The Mezinke
When parents marry off their last child, some families honor them with the mezinke: the parents sit in the center, sometimes crowned with flowers, while guests dance around them. Ask your band whether they know the traditional tune, or send a recording with your requests.
Avalon Acts With Jewish Traditional Songs
These acts list Hava Nagila or a Jewish traditional section in their song lists. Open any of them to see exactly what they play.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should the hora be?
Plan for 10 to 15 minutes. Long enough for the chair lifts and for guests to rotate in, short enough that the energy stays high for the rest of the night.
Can the band play a Hebrew song that is not on their list?
In most cases, yes. Send requests 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding. A custom arrangement may involve a small additional fee, and the rare exception is a song that does not suit the band's instrumentation.
Can we have strings for the ceremony and a band for the hora?
Yes. A string quartet for the ceremony and cocktails, then a band for the reception, is one of the most popular combinations Avalon Music books.