How to choose bride's entrance music?

For me, one key element is tempo. Work out what pace you want to walk at (I’ve found a metronome app really helpful) and then look for pieces that are at about that pace. For character/mood, I’d say it’s about what appeals to you. Romantic? Ethereal? Celebratory?

On timing- personally I think it’s good to allow for at least a little bit of time standing at the altar before the music ends. It avoids the risk of the music ending before you get there, and gives you some time, to take a breath, look at each other etc, before the rest of the service starts. My preference is have the music stop at an ‘ending’, but that’s just me, I don’t see any reason not to have it fade out if you’d prefer.

The below are a few ideas. Some are almost as familiar as Pachalbel’s Canon, so they may be too cliche for you. As you’re both musicians, I’d say think about pieces that you love or are special to you both, and don’t feel restricted to typical wedding music.

Bach: Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring

Handel: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

Delibes: Flower Duet from Lakme

Faure: Cantique de Jean Racine

Purcell: Trumpet Tune

Purcell: Come ye sons of art

We are a nerdy couple (thankfully) lol i had my song picked out before i even had a boyfriend... The Throne Room from Starwars (ending of A New Hope) it's so triumphant, and just fits me... he is walking in with his groomsman to a song called Hope and Dreams from a game called "Undertale" it's actually a boss fight song, but doesn't sound like it at all, we are looking to let the songs play out fully. to have it start a little and THEN we start walking, get to our places, then let the songs finish out.

For me i chose Tenerife sea by Ed sheeran and I really wanted to time it where I enter right when he sings the line “you look so beautiful in your dress”

My FH and I are both musicians so this one was definitely easy for us. Definitely consider the tempo of the song. We practiced the timing of my entrance already because music is very important to us and we want there to be alot of intent behind it. I'm waiting a few measures (less than 10 seconds) before we open the door and I walk out and I am walking in time with the music because it is a perfect slow walking speed. We are having the organist do something a little different to give us a good peaceful sounding "end" back in the original key. The specific song i am walking out to is Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral. It's from an opera and it's a very special song to me.

My husband (then fiancé) is a classically-trained musician and actually wrote and recorded the entrance music so we had it just the way we wanted. I agree with the previous posts about the tempo. Another thing I want to add is that he composed the music so that the bridesmaid entrance music was similar but slightly different to the bride entrance music (has the same motif or something? Sorry I'm not familiar with the music terms). The bridesmaid entrance music hints at what's to come and fades away, the the bride entrance music comes on as if it's an extension of the previous track but builds up as I walked down the isle then fades just as I got to the end. If you guys are up to it, you could even consider composing and recording your the entrance music?

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Thank you for your thoughts and recommendations! I definitely like your idea of letting the music continue to give yourself a moment at the altar before the ceremony proceeds. I was only thinking of logistics, so I'm really glad you pointed out that opportunity to make some space to be present!

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Ah, Elsa's Procession! What a beautiful choice, and very apt! And it will sound lovely on the organ, I'm sure. I probably won't use Elsa's Procession in our wedding because I'm sure it'll give me flashbacks of the times I've performed it as a concert piece (the arrangement was gorgeous, but my part was really tough), but I'm really glad you mentioned it. You're right that it's pretty much the perfect music for the occasion, and maybe I can think of it as a template to aid my search for alternatives.

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Wow, that is SO COOL! I don't compose, but FH sometimes does. Maybe I'll ask him if he's up for it. I really like the idea of having all the processional music fit together like you describe to lead up to the bride's entrance. I'm sure that was a really beautiful moment!

View Quoted Comment I'm glad you appreciate it! Most people don't know it unless they're in the music world! I had the 1st clarinet part last time I played it so I have fond memories of it but it was pretty tough. It really is perfect. My FH played it on the organ for me a few months back and it gives me all the feels.

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It was very special! And I still smile when I listen to that piece. At my friend's wedding, the groom had a piano up the front and played on it while his bride walked up the isle. We thought it was a neat idea, having the groom playing the music. But we couldn't have a piano at our venue so we thought of pre-recording the piece... and then hubby had the idea of composing the piece, and the rest of history. Music is pretty important to him so it was wonderful to be able to include that in the ceremony. Sounds like music is really important to both of you so wouldn't it be cool to incorporate it into the day in a special way! I'm sure you guys will look back on it with fondness.

FH and I love video games and sci fi and cars/motorcycles, so here's our processional/recessional lineup:

Processional-

1. Moms/Wedding Party/Ring Bearers - Nate's Theme from the Uncharted series

2. Bride - Tomb Raider II: Main Theme (The TR series has been my favorite video game series since the first one came out in 1996!)

Recessional-

1. Bride/Groom - the metal version of Jessica by The Allman Brothers that plays during the opening and closing credits of Top Gear (It's honestly barely long enough for us to walk down, pause for a couple pictures, then book it to the back end of the aisle. I'm actually going to see if I can find the audio file of the version Slash played on the episode where he was a guest because that one's a bit better.)

2. Wedding Party - Star Trek: The Next Generation Theme