Traditional Songs To Walk Down The Aisle To

Most wedding ceremonies use only one processional song. However, you may wish to choose a song for the bridal party to walk down the aisle to, and a separate piece of bride entrance music for your arrival.

The distance you'll have to cover, and the length and tempo of your song are key factors. To work out how much music you need, try timing how long it takes you to walk down the aisle from the bottom to the top. If you have a relatively short aisle that you’ll soon cover, pick a short song, or choose to have a particular section of the song played that will perfectly fit to match. Likewise, if it is some distance from the bottom to the top of your aisle, you might consider a longer piece of music. Also consider the tempo of your track  - choosing a song with a fast tempo may mean you walk more quickly down the aisle, and vice versa.

If you want to arrive at the altar at a certain crescendo point in the song, practice walking the distance of your aisle with the music playing. Rope in your bridal party too, so you can all be beautifully choreographed for full effect.

It’s customary for the bride to walk down the aisle with her father, or a close relative.  The bride's father then symbolically ‘gives the bride away’ to her betrothed when father and bride reach the altar – usually at the very start of the wedding ceremony.

It’s not uncommon for both of the bride’s parents to accompany her down the aisle to the altar. In the absence of her father, another relative can accompany her down the aisle. This is most often a male relative, but it doesn’t have to be. In modern weddings, it’s also popular for a close friend of the bride to accompany her down the aisle.

There are several options for the order a bridal party can walk down the aisle. In the UK, the tradition has been for the bride and her father to lead the way, with the bridesmaids following behind. While the approach favoured in the US is to have the bridesmaids lead the way, before the bride and her father make their entrance. This helps to build the excitement and anticipation, and if you have a flower girl, she can be scattering petals before the arrival of the bride.

Civil ceremonies have no set rules about bridal parties, but you may wish to take processional ideas from traditional religious ceremonies. Whether you’re having a religious or civil ceremony, check with your celebrant on what’s appropriate to your situation.

Traditionally, a groom does not walk down the aisle to music, instead waiting for his bride at the top of the aisle by the altar. Usually, the groom enters from the side accompanied by his best man. He makes his way to the altar as the prelude music plays, before the processional music begins.

In a contemporary wedding, both parties can choose how to make their entrances. In this case, a groom can make a grand ceremony entrance with their own hand-picked music, before the bride enters.