The Wedding March: Who Enters And When?

The wedding processional is a memorable part of the ceremony, where the wedding party walks down the aisle in a specific order to initiate the ceremony. The processional order varies depending on religious customs, cultural traditions, and personal preferences. The music played during the processional, often referred to as the wedding march, also holds significance for many couples.

The term wedding march can refer to both the musical piece composed by Felix Mendelssohn and the moment when the to-be-wed walks down the aisle. Mendelssohn's Wedding March, originally written for a theatre production, is a joyous and celebratory melody that has become a staple for recessionals. On the other hand, Here Comes the Bride or Bridal Chorus, composed by Richard Wagner, is often chosen as the processional song.

While some couples opt for traditional wedding march songs, others prefer contemporary or alternative classical pieces. Ultimately, the choice of music and processional order should reflect the couple's preferences and beliefs, creating a unique and personalised ceremony.

The history of the wedding march

The Wedding March, composed by Felix Mendelssohn, has its roots in a royal wedding. The piece was originally written in 1842 as incidental music for Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was first used in a wedding in 1847 when Dorothy Carew married Tom Daniel at St Peter's Church in Tiverton, England. However, it was Victoria, Queen Victoria's daughter, who made the song popular for weddings when she selected it to be played at her wedding to Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858.

The Wedding March is one of the most well-known pieces of Mendelssohn's suite of incidental music for A Midsummer Night's Dream. It is frequently used as a recessional at weddings in many Western countries, often paired with the Bridal Chorus from Richard Wagner's opera Lohengrin, or with Jeremiah Clarke's Prince of Denmark's March. Both songs were chosen by Princess Victoria for her wedding, where she processed to the altar to the Bridal Chorus before the couple recessed to the Wedding March.

Before the 1858 royal wedding, music was generally only played at the wedding reception. It was the princess's love of opera, and of Wagner and Mendelssohn in particular, that led her to set her ceremony to their music. The Wedding March is usually played on a church pipe organ and is sometimes stripped of its episodes in this context.

Mendelssohn was born into a wealthy Jewish family in the then-independent city-state of Hamburg in 1811. His family fled to Berlin when he was a young child to escape Napoleon's persecution. He received a stellar education in the Prussian capital and studied advanced musical theory from a young age. Mendelssohn became a well-known child prodigy and his career was well underway by the time he was fourteen. He had a strong attachment to Britain, where his music was rapturously received, and he met Queen Victoria and her husband Albert, the latter of whom, as a fellow German, particularly identified with the composer.

Who walks down the aisle with whom

The wedding processional refers to the moment when the couple, the wedding party, and their families walk down the aisle in a specific order to initiate the ceremony. The processional order can depend on religious or cultural traditions, but it is also a matter of personal preference. Here is a general guide to who walks down the aisle with whom:

Christian Wedding Processional Order

The officiant is usually the first to walk down the aisle, signalling the start of the ceremony. The groom follows, either entering from the side or walking down the aisle, sometimes accompanied by his parents. The groomsmen come next, either walking individually or in pairs with the bridesmaids. The grandparents of the couple may then walk down the aisle, followed by the groom's parents and the mother of the bride, who is traditionally escorted by a family member. The bridesmaids and groomsmen then walk down the aisle, either in pairs or individually. The ring bearer and/or flower girl come next, and finally, the bride walks down the aisle with an escort of her choosing, traditionally her father.

Catholic Wedding Processional Order

The priest, groom, and best man usually enter from a side door and take their places at the altar before the rest of the VIPs walk down the aisle. The groom's parents walk down the aisle together, and the mother of the bride may walk solo or be escorted by a family member. The bridesmaids and groomsmen walk in pairs, and the maid of honour walks last. The ring bearer and/or flower girl precede the bride, who walks down the aisle with an escort of her choosing.

Jewish Wedding Processional Order

The officiant is generally the first to walk towards the altar. The bride's grandparents walk down the aisle first, followed by the groom's. The groomsmen walk down the aisle, either individually or in pairs, and the best man walks solo. The groom is then escorted down the aisle by his parents. The bridesmaids walk in pairs, and the maid of honour walks alone. The ring bearer and/or flower girl come next, and the bride is escorted by both parents.

Hindu Wedding Processional Order

The groom's processional begins the ceremony, as he arrives with his family and friends in a festive baraat. The bride's family welcomes the groom and his entourage, and they exchange gifts or flower garlands. The bride then walks down the aisle with her loved ones, such as her maternal aunt and uncle or brothers, until she reaches the mandap and exchanges garlands with the groom.

Nondenominational Wedding Processional Order

The officiant may enter from the side or walk down the aisle. The groom and his groomsmen can already be at the altar or choose to walk down the aisle. The best man follows the groom's lead. The groomsmen and bridesmaids walk in pairs, and the maid of honour walks alone. The ring bearer and/or flower girl precede the bride, who may be escorted by her father, mother, or both, or she may decide to walk alone.

Modern Wedding Processional Order

The officiant begins the ceremony by walking down the aisle. The parents of the couple may walk together or be escorted by their children or step-parents. The wedding party members walk down the aisle individually or in pairs. The junior attendants, such as the ring bearer and flower girl, come next. Finally, the couple walks down the aisle alone or escorted by their parents, or they may choose to walk in together.

The wedding march wasn't initially intended for weddings

The "Wedding March", also known as "Here Comes the Bride", was not initially intended for weddings. The song was composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1842 for an 1842 production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

Mendelssohn wrote the piece as part of a larger suite to accompany the play, a fantastical story about a Pagan god and goddess with fairies and magic. The specific section known as the "Wedding March" depicts the wedding procession of the fairy queen Titania and Duke Theseus. It captures the joyous, celebratory atmosphere of the occasion with a bright and energetic melody.

The song was not used in wedding ceremonies until five years later, in 1847, when it was played at the wedding of Dorothy Carew and Tom Daniel in England. The "Wedding March" gained popularity and became a tradition at weddings when it was used at the royal wedding of Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, the oldest child of Queen Victoria, and her groom, Frederick William IV of Prussia, on 25 January 1858. The princess processed to the altar to Wagner's piece, "Bridal Chorus", and recessed with her new husband to Mendelssohn's "Wedding March".

Before this royal wedding, music was generally only played at the wedding reception. The princess's love of opera and the composers Wagner and Mendelssohn influenced her decision to set her ceremony to their music, creating a trend that would be followed by couples for generations.

The Catholic Church's stance on the wedding march

The Catholic Church's stance on the use of wedding marches during marriage ceremonies is that they are generally frowned upon. Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" and Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" are two pieces that are officially disallowed in marriage ceremonies performed in the church. This is because they are not religious pieces, and the church considers them to be theatre music.

Wagner's "Bridal Chorus", also known as "Here Comes the Bride", is believed to be banned by the Catholic Church due to its origins. The music comes from Act III of Richard Wagner's opera "Lohengrin", which includes magic, deceit, trickery, superstition, and ultimately the death of the unhappy lover. The song is sung by women serenading Elsa to the bridal suite after her wedding. It is not the happiest of allusions, and many find it distasteful to be reminded of Wagner, who was notoriously anti-Semitic, during a wedding ceremony.

Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" is also considered inappropriate for a Christian religious ceremony due to its literary origins. The Prussian monarch Friedrich Wilhelm IV commissioned Mendelssohn to compose incidental music for many pieces that were based on Greek mythology and tragedy. Among his commissions, in 1843 Mendelssohn composed a setting for William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", which focuses on a pagan god and goddess and is filled with fairies, magic, and fantasy.

However, the decision to allow or disallow these pieces is often left to the discretion of the parish priest, and there are reports of these pieces being played in some Catholic churches.

Alternative songs to walk down the aisle to

The traditional wedding march, "Here Comes the Bride", has been a popular choice for brides walking down the aisle for over a century. However, modern couples are increasingly opting for alternative songs that better reflect their personalities and musical tastes.

If you're looking for some unique songs to make your entrance to, here are some ideas:

• "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran
• "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri
• "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele
• "At Last" by Etta James
• "All of Me" by John Legend
• "Over the Rainbow" by Eva Cassidy
• "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes
• "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King or Florence + the Machine
• "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole
• "All I Want Is You" by U2
• "Marry Song" by Band of Horses
• "Sea of Love" by Cat Power
• "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks
• "Always" by Bon Jovi
• "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
• "Unconditionally" by Katy Perry
• "Passenger" by Deftones
• "Love Is a Battlefield" by Pat Benatar
• "These Dreams" by Heart
• "I Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash
• "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley or Kina Grannis
• "La Vie En Rose" by Emily Watts
• "She is Love" by Parachute
• "Hoppipolla" by Sigur Rós
• "Unchained Melody" by Lykke Li
• "All the Way" by Frank Sinatra
• "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper

These songs offer a mix of romantic and indie vibes, with a few rock and alternative options thrown in. Whether you're looking for something classic or contemporary, these songs are sure to make your walk down the aisle a memorable one.

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