3 processional songs? Mothers, BMs, and then me?

jenijoyk

Hi! I had a question on what most of you did or are planning to do with processional songs. Some logistics background: both of my parents will be walking me down the aisle, but we still want to honor my fiance's parents and grandmother by having them be seated last. Our groomsmen will start the ceremony already standing at the front with the groom and the officiant - only the bridesmaids will be walking down the aisle. My fiance is under the impression that his parents and grandmother walk down the aisle to the same song as my bridesmaids. This was really not part of my vision and means I'd probably have to change the song I've picked for my bridesmaids (instrumental cover of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.... don't judge!). But then my fiance pointed out that if his parents and grandparents had their own song, it would be strange because there is only three of them and they would be seated within less than a minute and then what would happen during the rest of the song? Also, do most people have three processional songs? One for the mothers, one for the bridal party, and one for the bride? That seems excessive. I'd love to know what everyone has done or is planning on doing music wise for the seating of the mothers! Cheers, J

Maggie0829

I think we just had the parents walk down to whatever music was already playing since we had the DJ playing soft music while people arrived and took their seats.

Honestly, you can do whatever you want.  I really don't notice what music is being played during the processional or if the music changes from parents to BMs to bride when I attend weddings.

climbingsingle

We're doing only one song for all of us. Parents, MOH and BM and then me. It will be short. 

ETA: First is FMIL escorted by FI, next is my mom escorted by my brother. Then MOH and BM together, then me and my dad. 

southernbelle0915

We had one song for the processional of the families and WP and then a separate song for me. I think it sounds a little complicated (read: room for error) to have that many songs, but whatever floats your boat. Also, keep in mind it will take people about 15-20 seconds to get from point A to point B so you might not get to hear much of each song.

CMGragain

The families do not usually "process".  They are seated quietly, just before the processional begins.  Smaller wedding parties sometimes use the same processional music as the bride.  There is no rule.

jenijoyk

CMGragain said:

The families do not usually "process".  They are seated quietly, just before the processional begins.  Smaller wedding parties sometimes use the same processional music as the bride.  There is no rule.

Right? This is what I thought. This is the only way I have ever seen it.

brideofginger

My wedding party is so small that I think I'm just doing one song for the whole procession. And I think it's going to be the piano version of Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue.

jenijoyk

brideofginger said:

My wedding party is so small that I think I'm just doing one song for the whole procession. And I think it's going to be the piano version of Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue.

Love the song choice! Are you including seating mothers/parents in with that song?

brideofginger

jenijoyk said:

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brideofginger said:

My wedding party is so small that I think I'm just doing one song for the whole procession. And I think it's going to be the piano version of Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue.

Love the song choice! Are you including seating mothers/parents in with that song?

I don't think we'll know for sure until we go through the rehearsal, but probably. We're just having a maid of honor/best man, so I'll probably have to use the parents to take up time so the song actually gets heard. The venue has some traditional music we can play if we need some cover while things get started. The choice of Motley Crue is because my FI loves them and I want to surprise him.

Maggie0829

jenijoyk said:

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CMGragain said:

The families do not usually "process".  They are seated quietly, just before the processional begins.  Smaller wedding parties sometimes use the same processional music as the bride.  There is no rule.

Right? This is what I thought. This is the only way I have ever seen it.

To me I really don't see the difference between who is and who is not in the processional. The Mothers and Grandmothers (sometimes) are escorted down the aisle right before the bridal party so I tend to look at it as they are also part of the processional. If they weren't then why the need to escort them in? Why not just have them enter in with the rest of the guests and take their seats before everything gets started?

EllieAugust

I'm doing three songs.

-Spring from Four Seasons: grandparents and mothers (This will start as other guests are finishing being seated and then they will walk)

- Jesu, Desiring of a Man: Wedding Party (We have 8 bridesmaids so we feel that it will be good to have a separate song)

-Canon D : My dad and I

I think it can be done however you want, just remember it normally doesn't take very long for people to walk in.  So I would just maybe try it out a few times!

jenijoyk

Maggie0829 said:

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jenijoyk said:

CMGragain said:

The families do not usually "process".  They are seated quietly, just before the processional begins.  Smaller wedding parties sometimes use the same processional music as the bride.  There is no rule.

Right? This is what I thought. This is the only way I have ever seen it.

To me I really don't see the difference between who is and who is not in the processional. The Mothers and Grandmothers (sometimes) are escorted down the aisle right before the bridal party so I tend to look at it as they are also part of the processional. If they weren't then why the need to escort them in? Why not just have them enter in with the rest of the guests and take their seats before everything gets started?

My question really was about the music logistics. Whether they are technically part of the processional or not doesn't really have any bearing. I'm concerned whether it will seem rude to have them walk in to whatever music is already playing as our prelude instead of walk in to the same song as my bridesmaids. My fiance believes that it would be rude. But I had never seen it done that way, and always associate the "start" of the processional music with the first bridesmaid walking through the door. The reason it matters in my case is that the song I want for my bridesmaids and possibly myself would be an odd choice for my fiance's parents and grandmother to walk to.

Maggie0829

It would not be rude to have them walk down the aisle to the same song that was already playing before your processional start.  It would not be rude to have them walk down to a different song all together.  It would not be rude to have them walk in to the same song as your BMs.

You are over thinking this.  There are really no rules to this, just whatever you and your FI want to do.  If he believes it would be rude to have them walk in to the same music as your BMs then pick a different song.

jenijoyk

I really don't think I'm overthinking it, I mean, it is my wedding ceremony. I was just wondering what the norm was and what other people were doing. Sheesh.

southernbelle0915

jenijoyk said:

I really don't think I'm overthinking it, I mean, it is my wedding ceremony. I was just wondering what the norm was and what other people were doing. Sheesh.

I don't want to speak for Maggie, but I do think you're too worried about this. Maggie is right - there aren't hard and fast rules about multiple songs, one song, instrumental vs. words, etc. For your situation, this is good news because it means you can do whatever you want and make your ceremony special/your own.

jenijoyk

Ok. Maybe I took Maggie's comment wrong. It does seem like there are a lot of people on these boards that get so annoyed with people's questions! Which is funny, since that is what the boards are for. It's like going to Disneyland and complaining about all the kids.

It's good to know that there isn't a hard and fast way of doing it. Thanks all for letting me know.

Maggie0829

I was certainly not annoyed with your question.  I told you what we did which was had three songs.  I then told you after your further comments that you are over thinking this.  Honestly, the only people who will really even notice or care about the music is you and your FI.  Your guests won't stand up and protest because the parents/grandparents didn't have a special song all their own.  I doubt they will even notice what song is playing or that it is different from your BMs.  These little kind of details that you are so stressed or worried about now you will be laughing about once all is said and done and wondering why you wasted so much energy on something so unimportant.

Marzipan13

3 songs might get a little lengthly for just the procession.  Think about it - each song being 3+ minutes each?  It probably won't take the span of an entire song to seat whoever's supposed to be seated during it.  And if you still wanted to use 3 separate songs but cut them off (or fade them in/out) as soon as the designated people sit, it's going to sound a bit strange to be cutting off & starting 3 totally different songs one after another...   I would suggest picking one song for the grandparents, parents and BMs, and then one song for yourself.  

Jen4948

I'd stick with just one song.  The processional would take something like 10 to 15 minutes if you did 3 full songs for everyone going down the aisle.  But the whole procession probably wouldn't normally take that long without music.

MairePoppy

Usually, there is background music playing. The mothers and grandmothers are seated during that time. The seating of the MOB (or in your case, the MOG) is the cue for the musician to switch to the wedding party processional. If the bride is having her own special music, the bridal party processional is abbreviated. One or two verses of 'Girls Just Want To Have Fu un' will get the point across. 

If you want to hear the whole song, play the original at the reception. After a few Mojitos, I'd be joining the bms to show off my best moves : )