The music you choose for that precious walk down the aisle will stay with you forever! The traditional Bridal March is a familiar tune that will instantly tempt many a bride that love the idea of walking in to this nostalgic piece, but there are so many other gorgeous contenders when it comes to walking up the aisle. The choice is a wholly personal one and depending on the ceremony, you will more than likely have free scope when it comes to what song you choose to make your big entrance to (however if you are getting married in a church, be sure to check if there are any stipulations regarding any part of the ceremony music). There are certain songs that will stand the test of time for example love songs like Songbird that make for a romantic soundtrack to this special walk, and there are other songs that have crept in recently like John Legend’s All of Me and have captivated brides and grooms. To help inspire your choice, we enlisted the help of 5 Irish wedding musicians who share some of the most popular song choices for the processional…
Mary McCague – www.marymccague.com
Listen to some of Mary’s samples here!
My top 5 pieces of music for the bridal entrance are:
1. Portuguese Love Theme from Love Actually – This piece is beautiful played by string quartet, harp/piano and violin/flute. I walked up the aisle to it at my own wedding, and since then have suggested it to many couples. Most recognise the tune, but don’t know where they have heard it and they all fall in love with it!
2. Pachelbel’s Canon D – This has without question been the most popular entrance piece for years!
3. Gabriel’s Oboe/Nella Fantasia – This is another lovely entrance piece. What some people don’t realise is that Gabriel’s Oboe is the instrumental version of the popular song, Nella Fantasia. Both are very popular for weddings.
4. The Secret Wedding from Braveheart – This is another fabulously haunting entrance piece.
5. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri – This has grown in popularity in recent months. It can be sung or played as an instrumental piece.
Fiona Kennedy Singer & Guitarist – www.fionakennedy.ie
Listen to some of Fiona’s samples here!
Here are a few popular suggestions for the bridal entrance:
1. Definitely the current most popular entrance song I’m finding is ‘How Long will I Love you’, the Ellie Goulding version.
2. Wherever You Will Go by The Calling – I’ve changed some of the lyrics in the verses of this however.
3. Number 3 in the popularity stakes for my brides would be ‘She Moved Through the Fair’.
4. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri.
5. Songbird by Eva Cassidy.
Sinead Nic Gabhann – www.sineadnicgabhann.com
Listen to some of Sinead’s samples here!
Some top song choices for the bridal entrance are:
1. Nella Fantasia
2. Canon in D
3. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
4. All of Me – John Legend
5. How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
Siobhan McKenna – www.siobhanmckennamusic.com
Listen to some of Siobhan’s samples here!
The following songs are all popular bridal entrance requests:
1. Songbird – Eva Cassidy
2. Make you Feel my Love – Adele / Bob Dylan
3. How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
4. All of Me – John Legend
5. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
Cathy from The Gospel Project – www.thegospelprojectireland.com
Listen to some of The Gospel Project’s samples here!
As we’re a gospel ensemble the most popular song in our repertoire for the bridal entrance would have to be ‘Oh Happy Day’, probably followed by ‘All you Need is Love’. The Gospel Project are happy to learn new songs for each wedding, and, even more than any other point in the ceremony, the music for the bridal entrance is a highly personal choice, so more often than not the first song will be a specially prepared number; I think the two most common of these ‘special requests’ so far in 2014 have been ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri and ‘How Long Will I Love You’ written by Mike Scott. As winter sets in we’ve also had numerous requests for ‘The Winter Song’ by Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson. Our own favourite of the year was the bride that walked down the aisle to ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams – a lot of fun to sing!
See more musical inspiration in our Guide to Wedding Ceremony Music & Songs!
Image from Real Wedding by Art Wedding Photography
