The first part of the actual ceremony is the entrance of the bride and traditionally this was always carried out to Wagner’s Bridal Chorus. Although most people stick to the Wagner; you can have any music you like. The one thing you must consider when looking an alternative is that it doesn’t take long for the bride to walk down the aisle – usually 30-45 seconds . If you would like the music to be a little longer than this you can let the music start and then make the entrance part way through the piece (say after 8 bars). Also, the music has to be something that can be brought to an end easily so that I can stop playing as the bride reaches the front of the aisle.
A lot of couples go to great lengths to choose something very special for the entrance: only to find that I can only play a small snippet. I often recommend using the same music for the entrance as the signing of the register. This usually ensures that you will hear your favourite piece of music in it’s entirity during the signing.
Here are a few examples of music that are suitable for the entrance:
1st Arabesque – Debussy
Clair De Lune by Debussy
1st Gymnopedie – Satie
Air on a G String – Bach
Arioso – Bach
Berceuse (from Dolly Suite) – Fauré
The Bridal Chorus – Wagner
Canon in D – Pachelbel – Short version
Canon in D – Pachelbel – Longer version. A longer version of the canon is sometimes used. In this case the bride would usually wait for either 8 or 12 counts before the entrance.
Here are some popular songs that are suitable for the entrance:
Greatest Day – Gary Barlow
Here Comes the Sun – George Harrison
Kissing You – Des’ree
Something – George Harrison
Little Dancer – Elton John
Your Song – Elton John
At Last – Etta James
Make You feel My Love (Adele)
The Signing (of the Register)
The Recession (or Recessional)
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