Entrance

How to pick the right music for
the entrance of the bride

Every bride wants to make sure her entrance music is exactly right. However, what’s right for one bride will be quite wrong for another.

Here are some important points to bear in mind:

• You haven't got to have 'Here comes the bride' unless you want it.
• Make sure the music you select is appropriate to your character and personality.
• If the church is tiny, don’t choose a piece with a long introduction, otherwise you’ll be at the altar before the music has had a chance to get going. And if you delay making your entrance until the “good bit” the groom might think you’ve had second thoughts!
• If the church is larger, make sure the piece can be extended so the music doesn’t stop before you’re ready to start the ceremony. Don’t forget to allow some time for lifting your veil (if any), passing your bouquet to a bridesmaid – or even for getting your shoe caught in a grate, as happened to one unfortunate bride a few years ago!

If you book musicians through us, we’ll help you to find a truly spectacular entrance piece, whether you want the music to be bold and regal or understated and elegant. And if you decide to go for something traditional, it will be performed to sublime standards.

Here are some popular alternatives to Here comes the bride (or Treulich geführt, from Lohengrin, to give it its real name…). All can be played by an organist alone, but sound even better with one of our trumpeters.

• Clarke J - The Prince of Denmark's March 'Trumpet Voluntary'
• Handel GF - La Rejouissance from 'Music for the Royal Fireworks'
• Purcell H - Trumpet Tune in D

Or how about coming in to choral music (guess what? - we can help with great choirs too!)? If you’re after something grand, how about:

• Parry CHH - I was glad
• Vivaldi A - Gloria in excelsis Deo from Gloria

…or for a more serene choral entrance, you may prefer:

• Tallis T - If ye love me