Wedding Music facts yo may not know

From the 16th century to the present, a European or American church wedding often involves the bride walking alone slowly down the church aisle to a processional tune and returning together with her new husband to a lively recessional tune. For over 100 years the most popular processional has been Wagner's Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin (1850), often called "Here Comes The Bride". For the recessional the most popular tune is Mendelssohn's Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream (1826). Another popular choice is Widor's Toccata from Symphony No. 5 (1880). As the couple leave the church, bells are rung. During the service there will be a few hymns, often chosen by the bride. The law now requires paper documentation so there is an extra piece of music while the couple retires to sign the register. This might be a reflective piece such as Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring". For civil weddings there is usually no wedding music.

After the few photographs the reception follows. This is a meal followed by a dance. In previous centuries the newlyweds would be the first to dance and then they would separate to dance briefly with each of the other people present. Only the most conservative or wealthy weddings now have couple dancing. Instead a DJ is employed to play popular records, often chosen by the couple.

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