No song is more important to a bride than the one that plays when she comes down the aisle. I have played the harp for literally hundreds of weddings, and have compiled a list of the most popular pieces (no surprises there!) as well as some less familiar but equally beautiful options.
By far, “Bridal Chorus” from Lohengrin by Richard Wagner is the run-away favorite. Also known as “Here Comes the Bride,” I perform this at approximately 45% of the weddings I play. Tradition is strong, and many brides want to walk down the aisle to the same song their mother and grandmother used.
Not far behind is “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel. Another wedding standard, this is also an extremely popular piece for the bridesmaids’ entrance. This song accounts for about another 22% of my bridal processionals.
After the big two, not many songs are repeated from wedding to wedding. The only other ones that I have played for more than one ceremony are:
Hymne by Vangelis (0.07%)
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (0.04%)
Trumpet Tune (0.02%)
Trumpet Voluntary (0.02%)
Can’t Help Falling in Love (0.02%)
For brides that want something completely different, many look to popular music and Broadway shows for inspiration. Some of these selections include:
Storybook Love from The Princess Bride
Wedding Processional from The Sound of Music
You are So Beautiful
The Prayer from Quest for Camelot
The Luckiest
The Rose
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes from Cinderella
All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera
If you prefer classical music, but want something less familiar, a few pieces from past weddings include:
Pavane in the Style Renaissance by Paul Wachs
Gate at Kiev from Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky
Hornpipe in G by Henry Purcell
There is really no limit except your imagination! Whether you prefer the traditional favorites, of have always envisioned walking down the aisle to a jazz standard or Celtic jig, just ask! Even if your selection is not listed in my repertoire (http://www.theclassicharpist.com/rep.html), I can learn it just for your wedding. Some of my favorite pieces have come from brides’ special requests.
If you would like to hear these and more options for your wedding day music, please contact me (devon@theclassicharpist.com or 1-574-344-9401).