Traditional weddings are held in churches, as well as other venues. A traditional processional is required for a traditional ceremony. As you select the music that will accompany you as you walk down the aisle, I’ll walk you through the options.
Weddings are a tradition-rich event. Modern brides have many options, but many still prefer to stick to the traditional and conservative route for their wedding ceremony. A traditional wedding procesional is a great way to add class and tradition to your wedding, regardless of whether it’s in a church or the backyard of your home.
Look first to the masters in traditional music. Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Handel, Haydn, Vivaldi. Traditional wedding music has a wealth of potential for any name you know from classical music. Nearly all the music in Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” can be used as a wedding procession… the same goes for Handel’s “Water Music”. Spend some time listening to these composers online. You might find something new.
Talk to other brides to find out what they used. The most popular wedding procesional is “Bridal Chorus” (also known as “Here Comes the Bride”) by Wagner. However, brides have used other traditional and more conservative pieces to walk down the aisle for many years.
Bach’s “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” wedding procesional is beautiful and slow. This works well with a live string quartet. However, there are hundreds of great CD recordings available. Another traditional piece that you may have heard at weddings is Pachelbel’s Canon in D. It is timeless and elegant, making it a perfect song to walk down the aisle.
Two examples of more joyful songs with faster beats are Purcell’s “Trumpet Voluntary” and Handel’s” Water Music. These songs are great for daytime weddings, especially in spring and summer.
Traditional wedding procesionals aim to match the mood of the music with the style of the ceremony. You don’t have to stick with the traditional music, even if you do not want to. For a joyful outdoor wedding, you can choose a faster, more upbeat music, while a slower, more formal tune is suitable for an elegant evening ceremony in a large cathedral.