This is a thread that was started in our old BlissWeddings.com forums by PJALLAR on 8/27/02. Feel free to add your comments by pressing Post Reply.
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posted by PJALLAR
I am stuck! I don't know what song I should walk down the isle to. I original thought of "Canon in D." I am going to use that song when my attendants walk down, but have decided I want to come down to a different song. I can not use the traditional "here comes the bride" that song is not allowed in the Catholic church. The church is also picky about modern music being used, so no Celine Dion etc.. You also can not use recorded music. So I am looking for a powerful, beautful song that can be played on the organ. Any suggestions? I think "HornPipe" from watermusic is pretty, but not exactly what I was looking for. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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posted by Perth girl
Hi pjallar,
Go to either of these sites where you can actually listen to the songs.
www.kissthebride.com.au
or
www.weddingguideuk.com
These have lots of hyms and songs for you to look at and actually listen to which just might help you pick one out.
Just a querie in the USA is it traditional for the attendants to walk down to something different to the Bride.
Whilst the guests are coming in and being seated the choir master shall be playing a variety of songs ending in Canon in D and then it will be Bridal March by Wagner for the processional which is the page boy followed by the 2 flower girls followed by my MOH and then me. Am I supposed to ahve a seperate song to walk down to?
Regards Perth Girl
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posted by wynelle
Perth girl...Generally, in the States, there is a little light music starting a few minutes before a change in music for the seating of the Mothers, then a change of music for the attendants (including the flower girls/ring bearer) and the doors to the church close. The musicians start with whatever bridal march the bride has chosen, and the doors open and the congregation sees the bride in her gown for the first time. the Mother of the bride stands, which brings the rest of the congregation to their feet and the bride and her escort proceed down the aisle.
Pjallar... other powerful songs include almost anything by Bach... Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, or Sheep May Safely Graze; any of the Trumpet Voluntaries sound lovely on an organ.
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posted by Perth girl
Wynelle,
As my Mum has passed away who should stand to bring the rest of the congregation to their feet?
I think I will ring the choirmaster and change it to Canon in D for the attendants and have the doors close as you say and then me - I htink that sounds much better - thanks!!!
pjallar - Also another one that I have heard a lot of brides walk down to is "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" by Handel. I personally did not like it for me as it is too fast for what I wanted but you may like it?
Regards Perth girl
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posted by wynelle
If your Mum has passed, then either your future Mum to be can be the first standing, or the Minister can gesture the guests to rise.
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posted by feb-bride
I've never heard that rule about no "Here Comes the Bride" in the Catholic Church. Two of my cousins got married in different Roman Catholic Churches last year, and they both were able to use that song. Is it only certain parishes who won't allow it? I'm curious, because I've heard that before, but like I said, both of my cousins were allowed to use it within the past year or so.
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posted by minorsgal
One of my close friends got married exactly 2 years ago on Sunday and she wanted to walk down the aisle to "Here comes the bride" a nun told her the day of the wedding that the church wouldn't allow it. This put the brides mother in a frenzy as the 400 programs were already printed. The morning of the wedding her mother had to reprint the programs on her home computer. It must just be certain parishes since feb-bride had a few family members that were able to walk down the aisle to the song. Although I don't understand why some would and some wouldn't allow it.
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posted by angel17
I'm not sure if I would have reprinted 400 programs - once the bride showed up at the door people should have been able to figure out to stand up no matter what music was playing. Did the organist give you any suggestions? If you can call directly to discuss your options. Better to find out what he/she can already play than to show up with a request for a piece they don't know.
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posted by feb-bride
Why not ask the organist what he/she recommends? When I got married, I didn't want to use "Here Comes the Bride" (not because of some church rule; I just didn't want it). I had a flutist performing at the ceremony, so I asked her for recommendations.
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posted by mlynn1
This might be too modern, but what about "The Wedding Song" by Peter, Paul, & Mary? It's a beautiful religious song. You could have just the instrumental part and not the words if the church has a thing about that.
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posted by PJALLAR
The reason the Catholic Church gives for not using "Here Comes the Bride" is it was first used in a play (don't remember the name), where the song was used during the wedding of the main characters. In the end the bride ends up having an affair and I believe is murdered by her husband when he learns of the affair. The church feels it is a antireligous themed song.
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posted by feb-bride
You know what I find weird, pjallar? That not all Catholic Churches follow the same rules. We're all supposed to be under the Pope's rule, yet not all churches ban that song during a wedding.
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posted by PJALLAR
In all honesty there is a lot of things about the Catholic church that don't make sense. I feel like all Catholic churches should at least stay consistant on their beliefs. They can't seem to agree. It is because in the end some person (music coordinator) in the church is setting rules of their own other! That is unfortunate!
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posted by feb-bride
(and my mom wonders why I'm disillusioned with church) LOL
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posted by logoswed
Many issues are concerned here!
First of all, the Roman Catholic Church overall does has definitive "Laws" for liturgies, including wedding ceremonies. But most of what I've read in this forum falls under the rubric of either local (arch/diocesan) rulings or, more likely, the particular pastor of a particular territorial church.
Having an MA in Roman Catholic theology, yet having studied far beyond that, I can vouch that my basic information here is correct.
Now, on to one slightly different discussion found here. "Canon in D" is lovely, ... but it tends not to work well in a wedding "Processional" for either the attendants or the bride/couple. It's a series of harmonic progressions rather than a rhythm that prompts a forward movement of actually walking in. At so many ceremonies we've officiated at in the past 6 years, we've seen too many attendants stymied by this music, instead of stimulated by it.
With too much to add, let me just ask you to visit our site at <www.logoswed.bigstep.com>.
What song do I walk down to?
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