Lyla Dejesus
The songs played at weddings are often very personal to the couple. However, there are some songs that have become famous as wedding songs, such as Here Comes the Bride, also known as the Bridal Chorus, and the Wedding March. These songs were first used in a wedding in 1858 for the wedding of Princess Victoria, the daughter of Queen Victoria, and have been popular choices ever since. Another song that has become a popular wedding song is Wedding Song (There Is Love) by Noel Paul Stookey, which was first performed at the wedding of Peter Yarrow in 1969.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Title | Wedding Song (There Is Love) |
| Artist | Noel Paul Stookey |
| Year of First Performance | 1969 |
| Year of First Recording | 1971 |
| Year of First Single Release | 1972 |
| Songwriter's Inspiration | Divine |
| Notable Covers | Petula Clark, Mary MacGregor, Harry Belafonte, The Lettermen, Helena Vondráčková, Nana Mouskouri, Daliah Lavi, Bonnie St. Claire, Sandler and Young, James Last, The O'Neill Brothers, Bradley Joseph, Captain & Tennille |
| Notable Appearances in Media | Petula Clark: A Sign of the Times (2002 DVD) |
| Other Names | The Wedding Song |
| Notable Wedding Songs | Mendelssohn's "Wedding March", "Here Comes the Bride" by Wagner, "Love of a Lifetime" by Firehouse, "At Last" by Etta James, "All of Me" by John Legend, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2 |
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What You'll Learn
Wagner's 'Here Comes the Bride'
"Here Comes the Bride", also known as the Bridal Chorus or Wedding March, is a song by German composer Richard Wagner. The song is a march played for the bride's entrance at many formal weddings throughout the Western world. The piece was made popular when it was used as the processional at the wedding of Victoria, the Princess Royal, to Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858. In the opera, the chorus is sung by the women of the wedding party as they accompany the heroine Elsa to her bridal chamber.
Wagner's work, including the "Bridal Chorus", has been criticised for its association with anti-Semitism and adoption by the Nazi Party. Wagner himself was a noted anti-Semite, and his music was embraced and promoted by the Nazis in 1930s Germany. Some couples choose to eschew the song due to these associations.
Despite the controversy, the "Bridal Chorus" remains a traditional and popular choice for wedding processionals, particularly in church weddings. It is one of two wedding marches, the other being Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March", that are used all over the world.
In modern times, the "Bridal Chorus" is usually played on an organ without singing, although alternative arrangements exist. For example, Trumpet Voluntary played on a church organ is sometimes used as a substitute.
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Mendelssohn's 'Wedding March'
Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" in C major is one of the best-known pieces from his suite of incidental music for Shakespeare's play "A Midsummer Night's Dream". It was first composed in 1842, but it wasn't used in a wedding ceremony until five years later in 1847, when it was played at the wedding of Dorothy Carew and Tom Daniel in England. It then gained widespread popularity when Queen Victoria's daughter, Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, selected it for her marriage to Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858.
The "Wedding March" is often played on a church pipe organ and has become a staple in weddings in the German- and English-speaking worlds. It is one of the most frequently used wedding marches and is known for its regal blast of trumpets and its hummable tune. The piece offers a sense of fulfilled joy and celebration, making it a perfect choice for the recessional, while Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" ("Here Comes the Bride") is often chosen for the processional.
It is interesting to note that the "Wedding March" was not originally written as wedding music but as incidental music for a play. However, its association with weddings began when it was first used in a royal wedding. The cultural influence of the royal family likely contributed to its popularity, as people often emulate royal traditions for their own nuptials.
Over time, the "Wedding March" has become synonymous with weddings and is often the first choice for couples, traditionalists, and those who want to add a touch of grandeur to their special day. While some couples opt for modern spins on their processional and recessional music, the "Wedding March" remains a beloved classic that continues to be played at weddings worldwide.
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'Wedding Song (There Is Love)' by Noel Paul Stookey
"Wedding Song (There Is Love)" is a song by Noel Paul Stookey, which was first performed at the wedding of his friend and bandmate, Peter Yarrow, in 1969. The song has since become a popular choice for weddings and has been recorded by numerous artists, including Petula Clark, Mary MacGregor, and Captain & Tennille. Stookey credits divine inspiration for the song, which he says came to him in response to a prayer he made ahead of Yarrow's wedding.
The song was released on Stookey's solo album, "Paul and", in 1971, and has been included on several compilation albums since. It is a heartfelt and devotional song, with lyrics such as "He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts". This line is particularly significant as it was originally written as "I am now to be among you", but Stookey changed it to "He" to avoid any potential misunderstanding of the lyric as a reference to the Second Coming.
The song has been noted for its musical and lyrical beauty, with some listeners commenting on its graceful and heart-warming quality. "Wedding Song (There Is Love)" has become a beloved and enduring choice for couples looking for a meaningful addition to their wedding day.
In addition to its popularity at weddings, the song has also enjoyed commercial success. It was released as a single in the UK in 1972, becoming a hit in Australia and Canada, and reaching the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. The song has been recorded in multiple languages, including French, German, Dutch, and Czech, showcasing its universal appeal and making it accessible to audiences worldwide.
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Wagner's 'Bridal Chorus'
Wagner's Bridal Chorus, also known as "Here Comes the Bride", is a well-known piece of wedding music, particularly in Western weddings. The piece is from German composer Richard Wagner's 1850 opera Lohengrin, in which it is sung by a choir of women from the wedding party as they accompany the heroine Elsa to her bridal chamber.
The opera tells the tale of the mysterious Lohengrin, who arrives on a boat pulled by a swan to defend the kingdom of Brabant and Princess Elsa. They agree to marry, but Elsa must never ask his name or where he comes from. Unfortunately, she breaks her promise, and Lohengrin sadly leaves. The Bridal Chorus thus accompanies a newlywed couple going forth from the ceremony to their life together, rather than being a processional to the altar.
The use of Wagner's Bridal Chorus as a wedding march can be traced back to 1858, when it was used as the processional at the wedding of Queen Victoria's daughter, Victoria the Princess Royal, to German Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm. Wagner's music, including the erotic opera from which the Bridal Chorus is taken, was a favourite of Queen Victoria's. Since then, the piece has been widely used as a wedding march, although there has also been opposition to the practice, particularly from Catholic and Lutheran churches, which consider it a ""pagan piece" unfit for the church.
In modern times, the Bridal Chorus continues to be a popular choice for wedding music, although some couples may opt for different songs to avoid the piece's association with sentimentality and cinematic/TV wedding scenes.
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Mendelssohn's 'Wedding March' at Princess Victoria's wedding
Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" in C major is one of the best-known pieces from his suite of incidental music for Shakespeare's play, "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" was first performed in Potsdam in 1842, the same year it was written. However, it was not used in a wedding ceremony 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 widespread popularity as a wedding processional in the mid-19th century. This popularity can be traced back to Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise's wedding to Prince Frederick William of Prussia on 25 January 1858. Princess Victoria, the oldest child of Queen Victoria, chose to walk down the aisle to Richard Wagner's "Here Comes the Bride" and exit the altar with her new husband to Mendelssohn's "Wedding March". Both composers were among the princess's favourites.
Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" is characterised by its use of brass instruments and percussion, creating a regal and celebratory atmosphere. The piece's orchestration and use of modulation, or key changes, contribute to its sense of movement and progression, and celebration. It is often played on a church pipe organ.
Today, Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" is a staple in weddings, particularly in German- and English-speaking countries. Its association with weddings is so strong that it has become synonymous with nuptials, alongside Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" ("Here Comes the Bride"). Couples continue to incorporate traditional wedding marches into their ceremonies, sometimes alongside more modern selections, to make their day unique and memorable.
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Frequently asked questions
"Here Comes the Bride", officially known as the Bridal Chorus", was composed by Richard Wagner for his 1850 opera "Lohengrin". The song was originally sung as the bride and groom entered the bridal chamber.
The "Wedding March" was composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1842 to accompany Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". The first known instance of the "Wedding March" being used at a wedding was in 1847, and it became popular for weddings after it was used in the royal wedding of Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise in 1858.
"Wedding Song (There Is Love)" is a song written by Noel Paul Stookey and first performed at the wedding of his friend Peter Yarrow in 1969. Stookey credits the song to divine inspiration. It has since been recorded by many singers and remains a popular choice for weddings.
Other popular wedding songs include "At Last" by Etta James, "All of Me" by John Legend, and "Love of a Lifetime" by Firehouse.
