Here Comes the Bride!
Choosing your entrance song
How to plan out the tearjerking entrance you'll never forget
It's a moment you've been playing out in your head ever since the engagement. Maybe before that (maybe long before that!). The woman of your dreams walking down the aisle towards you. The man you've waited for trying to hold it together. How do you bring the dream to life?
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In many types of wedding ceremonies, there are rituals where certain songs are more appropriate than others. The entrance, however, can be as personalised as you like. You might remember the first song you listened to together. Maybe there's a song that reminds you of a departed loved one, or a song that was played at one of your parents' or grandparents' weddings. You might even have always had a song in mind for this moment...
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On the other hand, you mightn't have a clue what you'd like to have played for the entrance! You might feel a little apprehensive about picking a piece in case it's seen as inappropriate, and would love some suggestions on how to pick a really emotional and effective entrance song. Here are five of my personal favourites below:
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1. Canon in D - Pachelbel
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Composed in 1680, this most romantic of pieces has truly stood the test of time. No matter what type of wedding ceremony you are having, this beautiful work is sure to set the mood perfectly. It also has the advantage of being extremely easy to extend or shorten, based on how long it takes for the bridal party and bride to walk up the aisle, and allows for a lot of flexibility.
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2. Can't Help Falling in Love
With You - Elvis Presley
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"Take my hand, take my whole life too/For I can't help falling in love with you."
This romantic outpouring from the King of Rock 'n' Roll will be instantly recognisable to all of your wedding guests. Whether performed instrumentally or with a singer, the slow-moving melody allows time for the moment to sink in - yes, this is all really happening.
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3. Perfect - Ed Sheeran
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Over the last ten years, Ed Sheeran has firmly cemented his place on almost every wedding playlist or programme with songs such as Thinking Out Loud, Tenerife Sea and, perhaps most of all, Perfect. The musical arrangement is a tasteful blend of the past and present, and the lyrics express not only the depth of the singer's love for his lover, but the certainty that the strength of their bond will persevere forever.
"Darling, just hold my hand/Be my girl, I'll be your man/I see my future in your eyes"
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4. Kiss the Rain - Yiruma
Perhaps less well-known than the other competitors on this list, I firmly believe this gorgeous piece deserves its day in the sun. The gentle, high-pitched piano melody, interspersed with pauses, beautifully mirrors the concoction of nerves, joy and overwhelming love that every bride and groom is experiencing at their entrance.
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5. Wedding March - Mendelssohn
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While there are many moments in any wedding ceremony that call for subtle, tasteful and gentle music, you might prefer something more exuberant and boisterous in character to begin proceedings. And what better candidate than the ubiquitous Wedding March by Mendelssohn? This piece sounds particularly triumphant on a church organ, although it's instantly recognisable on piano too!
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