Music for walking down the aisle

jlegga1

I really haven't been to many weddings and the last one I went to was well over 5 years ago so I barely remember it. I don't really want to walk down the aisle to the traditional wedding march but I don't know what I should have played instead. I'm also unsure whether the song I walk down the aisle to is the same that the wedding party walks in to. We're just having family at our wedding so it will just be my fiance and his brother as the best man, me and my sister as the maid of honor, and our flower girl and ring bearer who will probably walk down together. So how should the music work in my case? And does anyone have suggestions of what song I could walk down the aisle to?

lynxbbgirl

I am still working on figuring out what song I want to walk to, but you could always do one of your favorite romantic songs. I didn’t want to walk down to the “bridal march” but we are having a harpist play, and it is so pretty I might be rethinking

Music plays when the guest are coming in, a different song if any parents or grandparents are walking down (ours will be seated with the rest of the guest), song changes again when the moh and kids walk (it can be something short, the main part of the song if you like, talking to who will be playing will help with this also). Right before you start to walk, the music changes.

Gingery1

Your wedding party is small enough that you could all walk to the same song if it is long enough.  Or you could have a different song just for you.  It is up to you how complicated or simple you want it to be by the amount of songs you select. I always recommend using music that you enjoy or has a special meaning instead of using one only because it is traditional. Want to use a song that played on the radio when you had your first kiss but might be too inappropriate? Try looking for instrumental versions from groups like the Vitamin String Quartet.

maestromusicians

There are absolutely no "set ways" to do music. It's completely your choice! This can be both liberating and scary. Do you want an "elegant" feel? Perhaps you want something contemporary. You might want to check out http://maestromusicians.com/blog/blogweb/index.php?/categories/1-Christian-Wedding-Music if you're interested in classical music. This site is full of ideas.

Daniel Broniatowski, D.M.A.
www.maestromusicians.com

Crystalynnn

im pretty sure there are 4 songs. 1st for when your guests are walking in and being seated. 2nd for your bridal part and groomsmen to walk down to. 3rd for you to walk down to and 4th when youre finally married and you walk back down the aisle together.

my first two songs im sure i will just use instrumental versions of some lovey love love songs, but i know that ill be walking down the aisle to this song:

dolly parton i will always love you- instrumental finger picking version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6GBudwhKsk


and then fininsh the ceremony out with sam cooke- nothing will change this love:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM-0NpvjDsU

the whole wedding is going to be a little offbeat i suppose.

brea9vt

I love love love the dolly parton i will always love you- instrumental fingerstyle guitar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it gave me butterflys,  i am definitly walking down the isle to that!! thank you so much CrystalLynn!!!!!

Ljacks87

There are generally 2 processional songs; one for bridal party (which, in your case includes all the BM, RB and FG) and one for yourself. If GM are escorting BM's, then they walk to the processional music. If not, there is generally a moment of silence as guys walk to the alter. You can use just one song, but you won't have a grande entrance, which you probably want. Plus, by changing songs, the audience knows to stand for the bride.

When choosing songs, you have to take into consideration a couple points:

1) What is the mood you're going for? Elegant and understated, grand and bold, classic or modern?

2) How long is the aisle? If it's a shorter aisle, make sure to choose a selection with repeating measures for your walk, otherwise you will make it to the alter without having reached a good point in the song and it will be chopped up. For example, Cannon in D does not have repeating measures...you have to play through most of the song to hear all of the different parts of the song.

Personally, I am walking down a very short aisle. Bridesmaids will walk to Cannon in D and I will walk to Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 at a slower tempo (You tube it) for an elegant and understated processional.

If you're hiring musicians, they will be your best source of advice and give you suggestions for pieces. HTH!