Rhiannon Hendricks
The Wedding Song (There Is Love) is a popular choice for weddings, but there are also other songs that are traditionally played at weddings. Wagner's Bridal Chorus, often called Here Comes the Bride, is typically played when the bride enters, and Mendelssohn's Wedding March is played as the recessional, after the couple is married and walking off.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the songs | Mendelssohn's Wedding March, Prince of Denmark's March, and Wagner's Bridal Chorus |
| Composer | Mendelssohn, Wagner |
| Key | Mendelssohn's Wedding March is in C, Prince of Denmark's March is in D major, and Wagner's Bridal Chorus is in Bb |
| When it is played | Mendelssohn's Wedding March is played as the recessional, and Wagner's Bridal Chorus is played when the bride enters |
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What You'll Learn
Wagner's Bridal Chorus, often played when the bride enters
The Bridal Chorus, commonly known as "Here Comes the Bride" or "Wedding March" in English-speaking countries, is often played when the bride makes her entrance at formal weddings in the Western world. The original German title of the piece is "Treulich geführt", and it is from the 1850 opera Lohengrin by German composer Richard Wagner, who also wrote the libretto. Wagner's Bridal Chorus gained popularity when it was used as the processional at the wedding of Victoria, the Princess Royal, to Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858.
The opera Lohengrin features the Bridal Chorus as a march sung by the women of the wedding party as they accompany the heroine Elsa to her bridal chamber. While the chorus is typically played on an organ without singing at most weddings, the wedding party sings this piece at the beginning of Act Three in the opera. The piece is in a march tempo, which is a popular choice for accompanying the entrance or exit of the bride, along with Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March".
The use of Wagner's Bridal Chorus at wedding ceremonies is not without controversy, however. Some Christian churches, such as the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, have expressed disagreement with its use. The opposition is rooted in the piece's association with theatre, as Wagner's operas were seen as depicting pagan stories and themes. Additionally, the Bridal Chorus is not a processional to the altar in the opera, and its frequent use in film and television may contribute to a perception of sentimentality rather than worship.
Despite the controversy, Wagner's Bridal Chorus remains a popular choice for many couples' wedding ceremonies, adding a touch of grandeur and tradition to the bride's entrance.
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Mendelssohn's Wedding March, played as the recessional
Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" in C major is one of the most well-known pieces of wedding music. It is frequently used as a recessional, played as the bridal party exits the ceremony. The piece was originally written in 1842 as incidental music for Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream".
The "Wedding March" is known for its simple yet complex structure, with a rich and intricate orchestration and harmonies. It begins with a fanfare played by the brass section, adding a sense of grandeur and celebration to the joyous occasion. The piece is typically performed on a church pipe organ, though it can also be adapted for other instruments, such as the piano.
The first known instance of the "Wedding March" being used at a wedding was in 1847 when it was played at the wedding of Dorothy Carew and Tom Daniel in England. However, it gained widespread popularity when Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, Victoria, the Princess Royal, used it for her marriage to the Crown Prince of Prussia in 1858. Queen Victoria and her husband, Albert, were known to be fond of Mendelssohn's music, and the composer himself often played for them during his visits to Britain.
Despite its popularity, there have been some debates about the appropriateness of the "Wedding March" for weddings due to its association with the play "A Midsummer Night's Dream". However, many argue that this perception is outdated, and the piece is now widely accepted and loved as a dignified and festive choice for the recessional.
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'Wedding Song (There Is Love)', a 1971 hit by Paul Stookey
"Wedding Song (There Is Love)" is a popular choice for weddings and was first performed by Paul Stookey, a member of the band Peter, Paul and Mary, at his bandmate Peter Yarrow's wedding in 1969. The song was released in 1971 as a single from Stookey's solo album, "Paul and". Stookey's version of the song peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Easy Listening Chart in 1971. The song has since been covered by many artists, including Petula Clark, Mary MacGregor, Harry Belafonte, and Captain & Tennille, and has charted multiple times in different countries.
The song's composition was inspired by Yarrow's wedding, and Stookey credits divine inspiration for the song. Stookey's version of the song features his guitar work, melody, lyrics, and appealing voice, making it a perfect choice for a wedding celebration. The song has become a well-loved ballad and a wedding cliché, with many couples choosing to include it in their wedding ceremonies.
Petula Clark's version of "Wedding Song (There Is Love)" was released in 1972 and became a major hit in Australia in the spring of 1973, spending 11 weeks in the Top 20 and peaking at No. 10. Clark also recorded a French version of the song, entitled "Il est temps," which was released in December 1972 as a B-side to her French single "Bleu, Blanc, Rouge." Clark's version of the song did not enter the UK singles chart despite being aired on the Top of the Pops broadcast in October 1972.
Mary MacGregor's version of "The Wedding Song (There Is Love)" returned the song to the Billboard charts in the autumn of 1978, reaching No. 23 on the Easy Listening chart and No. 81 on the Hot 100. MacGregor had been discovered by Peter Yarrow, but he was not involved in her recording of the song. The song made its album debut on Mary MacGregor's Greatest Hits in 1979.
"Wedding Song (There Is Love)" has also been covered by other artists, including Harry Belafonte, the Lettermen, Helena Vondráčková, Nana Mouskouri, and Daliah Lavi, and has been released in multiple languages, including Czech, German, and Dutch. The song has appeared on various albums and has been a popular choice for weddings and celebrations of love.
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'The Wedding Song' by Renée Rapp
Renée Rapp's "The Wedding Song" is a track from her debut album "Snow Angel", released on August 18, 2023. The song is about someone Rapp wrote it for but never released it to them. She sings about playing it for her friends and how it could have been perfect for a wedding.
Rapp wrote "The Wedding Song" while living in New Jersey and being in a relationship with someone she thought she would marry. The song is meant to be soul-sucking, with a happy and beautiful chorus and sad verses. It's a way for Rapp to express her feelings about the ended relationship and the unshared song.
In an Instagram post on August 11, 2023, Rapp announced the release date of the track and shared a bit about the story behind it. She wrote, "I was in a relationship at one point with someone who I thought I was going to marry, and that was the first time that had ever happened to me. And I thought that it would be so just gut-wrenching to be like, 'I wrote you a wedding song because I thought I was going to be with you forever and I never played it for you, and now you're never going to hear it because we don't speak anymore.'"
"The Wedding Song" by Renée Rapp captures the complex emotions of a relationship that could have led to marriage but didn't. Through her lyrics, Rapp expresses the sadness of unspoken words and the bittersweet nature of a song that was almost played at a wedding. The song's release on her debut album, "Snow Angel," allows listeners to experience the range of emotions that Rapp skillfully weaves into her music.
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'The Wedding Song' by Petula Clark
"The Wedding Song (There Is Love)" is a popular choice for performance at weddings. The song was written and first performed by Paul Stookey at the wedding of his bandmate Peter Yarrow in 1969. Stookey recorded the song for his solo album, Paul and, in 1971.
Petula Clark recorded her own version of "The Wedding Song (There Is Love)" in 1972 at Trident Studios in London. Clark's version was issued as the second advance single from her album Now, which was released in December 1972. The song charted at No. 9 on the Adult Contemporary music charts and reached No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, the song was released as a single on October 6, 1972, but it did not enter the UK singles chart. However, in Australia, Clark's version of "The Wedding Song" became a major hit in the spring of 1973, spending 11 weeks in the Top 20 and peaking at No. 10.
In addition to Clark, several other artists have recorded their own versions of "The Wedding Song (There Is Love)." These include Captain & Tennille, Mary MacGregor, Harry Belafonte, the Lettermen, Helena Vondráčková, Nana Mouskouri, Daliah Lavi, Bonnie St. Claire, and Sandler and Young. There have also been instrumental versions recorded by the O'Neill Brothers and Bradley Joseph.
Clark also recorded a French rendering of the song, entitled "Il est temps," with lyrics by Pierre Delanoë. This version was included on her 1973 francophone album, Petula.
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Frequently asked questions
Wagner's Bridal Chorus, often called "Here Comes the Bride", is played when the bride enters.
Mendelssohn's Wedding March is played as the recessional, after the couple is married and walking off.
The Prince of Denmark's March, in D major, is another popular choice played when the bride walks up the aisle.
