How to Choose Music for your Wedding Processional

Choose music for your wedding processional as if it were the soundtrack to your new life with your spouse. It should be stately, cheerful and dramatic, announcing each member of the wedding party with dignity and joy. Here's how to choose music for your wedding processional.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Professional musician
• Song for the bride's processional
• Sheet music
• Song for the wedding party processional

1. Choose a theme. You might want to go traditional or pick something eclectic and original. It all depends on your tastes. Work with the musicians you've hired and go over their repertoire and ask what they suggest.
   
2. Pick a song with a good walking tempo, not something too slow or too fast but a song that you can walk down the aisle to at a comfortable, natural pace.
   
3. Listen to some samples, which many musicians can provide, and pick some that suit your taste.
4. Choose a song for the wedding party processional that will serve to announce the members of the wedding party. This song should have presence and a clear transition from the prelude, but it should be steady and flowing. It should call the guests to attention, letting them know that the ceremony is beginning.
5. Pick the bride's processional. This is the bride's big entrance. The tried and true "Bridal March" captures the mood perfectly, but you may want to branch out and add a personal twist to the music selection.
6. Procure sheet music or recordings. Once you've decided on a song, provide your musicians with the version of the song you want them to play. They may have their own arrangements, too, so don't forget to ask.
7. Rehearse. Have your musicians run through the songs a couple times while you listen. Competent musicians will be able to alter the tempo and the dynamics of the song to fit your preferences.
8. Walk out to the perfect processional music on your big day.
   

Who Can Help:

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Tips & Warnings

• For a cohesive musical experience, try coordinating the pieces throughout the ceremony. For example, pick movements from the same larger piece.
• Some popular picks: "Canon in D Major" by Pachelbel, "Wedding March from Lohengrin" by Wagner, "Romanze from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" by Mozart, "Air on the G Sting" by Bach and "Trumpet Voluntary" by Jeremiah Clarke.
• Vocalists or soloists can provide a personal touch to a ceremony.
• Some churches prohibit the use of contemporary songs.
• Make sure there are proper electrical outlets for the band to set up.