When browsing wedding-related blogs, Style Me Pretty, a blog about wedding planning, posted a question posed by a bride-to-be which I found inspiring. The bride asked for suggestions for wedding ceremony processional music which was appropriate for the occasion but non-traditional. While “Here Comes the Bride” is lovely and classic, a modern bride may want to break from traditonal wedding music and opt for something unique and inventive for her wedding ceremony. One way to accomplish this is to choose pop music.

You can make your ceremony “pop” by taking a modern song and give it a classical twist. For example, one bride suggested walking down the aisle to “All You Need is Love” played by a classical string quartet. This would be a lovely choice if one had the Sparrow Lane String Quartet play at their wedding ceremony. Other suggestions from posters included:

• “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles
• “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
• “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones
• “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel
• “Bittersweet Symphony” by the Verve
• “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder
• “Calico Skies” by Paul McCartney
• “Everlong (Acoustic)” by the Foo Fighters
• “All I Want Is You” by U2
• Film Scores (For example, “Storybook Love” from “The Princess Bride”)
• Musical Soundtracks

All of these would be excellent choices if played by a string quartet, a traditional wedding band, a solo violinist or on mandolin.

There are many more lovely pop songs which would translate well into a wedding ceremony if played by any of these bands. For ideas, take a look at your CD collection or iTunes playlist and make a list of songs which inspire feelings of love, romance and beauty within you. Just be sure that each song speaks about love and romance and is appropriate for the “feel” of your wedding. Keep this list at hand when you meet with your wedding band to design your wedding’s soundtrack and you will be sure to have an event to remember.

If you have any suggestions about pop songs which would sound lovely at a wedding ceremony, let us know!

Modern Catholic weddings, which are often held in churches, begin with 20 to 30 minutes of prelude music. Traditionally, this music was played by an organist or a pianist. However, modern brides often choose a string quartet, a harpist, a classical guitarist or even a woodwind quintet. Their choice of musical accompaniment is not limited by tradition and is instead reflective of their personal taste.

During the prelude, pieces such as Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desire” are usually played. Following the prelude, special music is played for the seating of the mothers and grandmothers. “Canon in D”, by Pachebel, is a perennial favorite. Following the seating of the mothers and grandmothers, the bridal party proceeds down the aisle. They are followed by the bride, who is traditionally escorted by her father. During the bride’s processional, she is accompanied by a processional song. The two groups stop their procession at the church’s altar.

For well over 100 years, Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” from Lohengrin has been a hugely popular choice. It is often called, “Here Comes the Bride.” Since Lady Diana’s wedding to Prince Charles, Jeremiah Clarke’s “Prince of Denmark March” has become extremely popular for use as processional music. This piece is sometimes attributed to Henry Purcell as “Trumpet Voluntary”.

During the wedding ceremony, there may be several hymns. This is especially true for liturgical settings. Solos and a short piece for the lighting of the Unity Candle may also take place.

At the end of the service, the new couple march down the aisle together to a lively recessional song. Most popular for this is Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Widor’s “Toccata” from Symphony No. 5 is also another favorite.

The wedding ceremony then concludes with an instrumental postlude as the wedding guests depart.

If you’re a Catholic bride or groom, why not share some of your wedding traditions with us?

Want us to feature another style of wedding in our blog? Let us know!