The Wedding March: Quartet Performance Possibilities

The Wedding March, also known as Here Comes the Bride, is a popular choice for brides walking down the aisle. The traditional wedding march was written by German composer Felix Mendelssohn and is simply called the 'Wedding March'. It was initially written for an 1842 production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and gained popularity when it was played at the wedding of Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, Queen Victoria's oldest child, and her groom, Frederick William IV of Prussia, in 1858. The song is often accompanied by 'Here Comes the Bride' or 'Bridal Chorus', written by Richard Wagner for his 1850 opera Lohengrin. The wedding march is usually played by a quartet, and sheet music is available for this formation.

Quartet sheet music for the Wedding March is available

The traditional wedding march, also known as "Here Comes the Bride", was written by German composer Felix Mendelssohn for an 1842 production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". It is a joyous and celebratory piece, perfect for creating a bright and energetic atmosphere on your special day.

While the wedding march is a popular choice for brides, it is not mandatory. Couples may also opt for something more contemporary or personal for their wedding ceremony entrance. It's important to consider the pace of the music, as you will be walking down the aisle to it, and you'll want to be able to fade it out at a good moment as you reach the altar.

If you're looking for a traditional and intimate touch for your wedding, a string quartet is a wonderful option. The rich, classical sound of two violins, a viola, and a cello can provide the perfect backdrop for your ceremony.

So, if you're planning your big day, consider including the timeless and elegant wedding march, beautifully arranged for a quartet. It's a classic choice that will make your wedding ceremony unforgettable.

The Wedding March is a traditional wedding song

The piece was originally written for an 1842 production of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. It was first used in a wedding ceremony in 1847 at the nuptials of Dorothy Carew and Tom Daniel in England. However, it was Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria, who brought the 'Wedding March' to prominence. She selected Mendelssohn's composition to be played as she walked down the aisle at her wedding to Prince Frederick William IV of Prussia in 1858. The song was then played again as the newlyweds recessed back down the aisle. Before this royal wedding, music was generally only played at the wedding reception.

The 'Wedding March' is often accompanied by another song called 'Here Comes the Bride' or 'Bridal Chorus', written by Richard Wagner for his 1850 opera 'Lohengrin'. Both songs are considered traditional wedding songs and are commonly played as the bride walks down the aisle.

Today, couples may choose to incorporate these traditional songs into their wedding ceremonies, or they may opt for more modern or alternative music. The choice of music often depends on the wedding theme or style, as well as personal preferences and connections to specific songs.

The song was originally written for a play

The Wedding March, also known as "Here Comes the Bride", is a song that is often played during the entrance of the bride at a wedding ceremony. It is a popular choice for traditional weddings and is recognised as a classic wedding processional song. While it is usually played as an instrumental piece, the original composition included lyrics.

The song was written by German composer Felix Mendelssohn in 1842 for a production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". In the play, the "Wedding March" was used to depict the wedding procession of the fairy queen Titania and Duke Theseus. It captures the joyous and celebratory atmosphere of the occasion with its bright and energetic melody.

The "Wedding March" gained popularity as a wedding song after it was played at the royal wedding of Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, the eldest child of Queen Victoria, and her groom, Frederick William IV of Prussia, in 1858. The princess walked down the aisle to the music of "Here Comes the Bride", and the newlywed couple recessed to the "Wedding March". Before this royal wedding, music was typically only played at the wedding reception. However, due to the princess's love of opera, she chose to incorporate the music of Wagner and Mendelssohn into her wedding ceremony, starting a trend that continues to this day.

The song was popularised by a royal wedding

The wedding march, also known as "Here Comes the Bride" or "Bridal Chorus", was popularised by Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, the oldest child of Queen Victoria of England, at her wedding to Prince Frederick William of Prussia (also known as Frederick William IV) on 25 January 1858. The couple were married at the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace.

Princess Victoria decided to walk down the aisle to the sound of Richard Wagner's "Here Comes the Bride", and from the altar with her new husband to Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March". Both composers were among the princess's favourites.

Before this royal wedding, music was generally only played at the wedding reception. However, Princess Victoria's decision, like her mother's choice to wear a white wedding dress, set a new trend and couples began using the music at their own weddings.

Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" was originally composed in 1850 for his opera "Lohengrin", where it is sung by the women in the wedding party as they guide the bride, Elsa, to her bridal chamber on her wedding night. Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" was originally written in 1842 as part of a production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

Couples can choose to walk down the aisle to alternative songs

There are many factors to consider when choosing wedding ceremony music. From personal preferences to religious guidelines, couples should select music that suits their wedding theme and style. For instance, some religious venues may have restrictions on the type of music that can be played, with certain songs or lyrics deemed inappropriate for the ceremony.

When choosing an alternative song, couples should consider the pace of the music to ensure it matches their walking speed and the length of the aisle. They should also think about the instruments that will be playing the music, as some songs work better on certain instruments, like the piano or guitar.

There are many popular alternatives to the traditional wedding march. Canon in D by Pachelbel, for example, is a classical wedding processional piece that is simple yet dramatic. Ave Maria by Beyonce is another option, offering a modern twist on a moving Catholic prayer. Couples may also choose popular songs such as "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran, "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, or "All You Need is Love" by The Beatles.

Ultimately, the choice of music for walking down the aisle is a personal one, and couples should select whatever reflects their tastes and wedding vision.

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