Traditional Processional Songs

Will your church allow you to bring in outside instrumentalists? Our church is pretty restrictive with songs as well but they said they would allow us to bring in a Harpist for example--doesn't change the fact that you are still limited with song choices but I think it is much prettier (and less depressing) than the organ.

@VMDIZZLE Right?! I refuse to use the bridal march.

@MPHGirl, thats a good idea, they do allow us to bring in outside instrumentalists

@Nicole you will probably need to get the list of approved music from your church to pick from. Music selection is part of the reason FH and I changed from the Church to our reception venue. Especially if it's during Holidays or lent, they won't budge on the music.

@VMDIZZLE @Nicole Our Church wouldn't let us use the Bridal March!

@Jennifer --- thats crazy!!! Did they suggest something else to use?

Here is what we are doing:

Mother's Processional: Ave Maria by F. Schubert

Bridal Party Processional: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by J.S. Bach

Bride's Processional: Rondeau by J.J. Mouret

Pachbel's Canon is also very popular. Can the organist use the piano instead of the organ? That would change the feeling of the whole thing.

Honestly, I have really mixed feelings about the traditional organ music. We didn't have a lot of leeway or room to be creative, but at the end of the day it was really important to us and our families that we have our ceremony in a church and that comes with certain expectations (and restrictions). I would have loved to walk down the aisle to a Fleetwood Mac song, but tradition won this time. Good luck!!!

I used an instrumental version of Young at Heart by Frank Sinatra. Obviously not modern but it was the perfect tempo and how can the church say no to Frank Sinatra?

@Sara - I just listened to Rondeau, it sounds a lot more upbeat than some of the suggestions the church gave us! Thank you We originally requested them to use the piano and they strongly suggest that he plays the organ..I might have to push back on that. We decided to get married in a church mostly to make our families happy so I feel like we are getting a little lost in this process but I am just so done with the decision making at this point I think we will just go with the flow.

@Nicole, you are welcome! I spent hours on youtube trying to find a good song. My brother is going to play trumpet for Rondeau with the organist, so I'm happy about that. I totally feel you on going with the flow to please the family. The church stuff is really important to us, but I am starting to wonder who weddings really are for in the end. At the end of the day, as long as you are married to the person you love, that's what matters.

@Nicole Yes, they had a list of about 10 religious songs for each to pick from. Our selections would have looked like @Saras list. Those songs were all on our list.

Actual email:

Good Afternoon Rosie,

I was looking over the music selections for the wedding and I didn't see The Bridal Chorus by Wagner or The Wedding March by Mendelssohn are these available?

Hi Jennifer,

This is Debby Main, Music Director. Your email was forwarded to me by Rosie.

The Bridal Chorus and the Wedding March are not on the list of suggested pieces because the

use of these songs is frowned upon by the Diocese of Charleston. Although there are some priests and parishes that use them anyhow, Fr. would prefer that we not use them.

This is why i hate most churches.